Is your child unable to tolerate those peanuts?
Does your child develop hives and rashes on the skin immediately after eating peanuts? Does your child complain of abdominal discomfort or difficulty in breathing every time he/she comes across any peanut-containing product? Then perhaps your child is allergic to peanuts and therefore is unable to tolerate them.
Peanuts are common snacks that are consumed widely but they may have some adverse effects on some people who are allergic to them. Peanut allergies are most commonly seen in children and this is because most of them are unaware that they are allergic to peanuts until they have ever consumed them and also because most children outgrow the allergy as they grow into adults.
This article aims to explore the causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures of peanut allergy
What is peanut allergy?
Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy that triggers an immune response amongst a few individuals who are allergic to them. The mechanism of peanut allergy is the same as in the case of Latex allergies, cat hair allergy, detergent allergy, etc. An allergic response occurs within a few minutes after exposure to peanuts.
What is the list of signs and symptoms of peanut allergy?
The signs and symptoms of peanut allergy include:
- Skin rash, hives, swelling, and redness
- Flushed face and skin
- Difficulty in breathing
- Wheezing sound in the chest
- Fever
- Stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Itching in the mouth and throat
- Tightening of throat
The severity of the symptoms may vary depending upon the severity of the immune response. If you ever encounter any of these symptoms in your child after eating peanuts; whether mild or severe, take him/her immediately to a family care specialist.
What are the causes of peanut allergy?
Exposure to peanuts can take place via multiple sources:
- Inhalation of aerosols containing peanuts
- Consumption of peanuts or peanuts-containing foods
- Unintentional addition of peanuts into the food
The risk factors of peanut allergy may include:
- Aging
- Family history of peanut allergy
- Past allergy to peanuts
- Having other allergies like hay fever
- Eczema
How peanut allergy is treated?
Definitive treatment does not exist for peanut allergy. Desensitization i.e. oral immunotherapy involves giving increasing doses of peanuts-containing food to those having peanut allergies or are at risk of having peanut allergies. However, the safety of this is still uncertain. Injection of epinephrine may be given in severe allergic reactions.
However, you can always opt for our family healthcare services if you’re staying in Mansfield, TX.
How to prevent peanut allergy?
One cannot usually tell if their child is allergic to peanuts unless they have experienced any allergic symptoms after consuming them. The first step after noticing any allergic response after eating peanuts is heading to the family healthcare center like CareFirst 360 if you’re from Mansfield, TX.
The care provider will determine the cause of the symptoms and will start with immediate symptomatic treatment. They will perform diagnostic tests and investigate if your child is really allergic to peanuts alone or if the allergen is some other product.
Once peanut allergy is confirmed, you have to strictly keep your child away from peanuts and every peanut-containing product for their entire life or at least till the time they outgrow the allergy. The provider will also prescribe you some medications that need to be used as first aid in case your child comes across peanuts ever again.
It is important that you inform all family members, friends, as well as your child’s school teachers about their peanut allergies and to keep him/her away from peanuts. Keep the first aid anti-allergic kit in your child’s bag always. Once your child begins to understand things, tell him/her about their allergies and to avoid eating any peanut-containing products. Educate them about the use of the anti-allergic kit so that they can use it in case of accidental consumption of peanuts.
Although peanut allergies can be very serious and threatening, it is very easy to avoid them as well. If your child is allergic to peanuts, then avoid giving them peanuts and peanut-containing foods products including those products whose packaging mentions the presence of nuts traces as well. Prevention is the best practice to combat allergies.
Seek a family medical center near you
In case your child is diagnosed with a peanut allergy, schedule an appointment with CareFirst 360’s family medical center for a consultation immediately. As mentioned already, they will offer the right treatment and preventive measures that really work after evaluating the condition.
