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Allergy to Peanuts

from harming your body. Instead, the chemicals cause the signs of an allergic response. ‚  

What can make this more likely to happen?


  • Your family history may raise your risk for a peanut allergy. You are at a higher risk for a food allergy if someone in your family has:
    • Allergies
    • Asthma
    • Eczema
    • Hives
  • If you are allergic to one kind of food, you are more likely to be allergic to others.
  • Young children are more likely to have this kind of allergy.

What are the main signs?


  • Skin reaction:
    • Itchy skin
    • Skin swelling, rashes, and redness
    • Hives
    • Itchy and watery eyes
    • Swelling of the lips, tongue, and face
    • Runny nose
  • Belly reaction:
    • Belly cramps
    • Throwing up
    • Loose stools
  • Lung reaction:
    • Sneezing, coughing, or wheezing
    • Swelling of the throat
    • Trouble breathing
    • Chest pain or tightness

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?


  • Your doctor will talk to you about your history. Your doctor will ask about:
    • Any history of allergies or food allergies that you or your family may have
    • Your signs and when they started
    • If you have other illnesses like the flu and colds
  • Your doctor will do an exam and may look for:
    • Skin rashes or redness
    • Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and face
    • Breathing problems
    • Belly problems
  • You may be asked to keep a food diary. You will need to list all of the foods that you eat. You will also list all the drugs you take. Also write down any signs you are having. This will help the doctor learn if a certain food is causing you problems.
  • Your doctor may do some tests to learn more about your allergies.
    • Skin test ¢ ˆ ’ Your doctor will scratch or inject a small amount of proteins from peanuts into your skin. If you are allergic to peanuts, you will notice redness or other skin reactions.
    • Blood tests ¢ ˆ ’ This will check how your immune system responds to peanuts.

How does the doctor treat this health problem?


  • Care will depend on your signs. If you think you or someone else is having an allergic reaction, seek care right away.
  • Most often, the best care is to stay away from peanuts and products with peanuts in them. Learn to read food labels to find peanuts or peanut products.
  • Your doctor may give you a drug to help control the allergy. You may need to use it in an emergency if you have accidentally eaten a food that has peanuts.

Are there other health problems to treat?


Eating foods with peanuts may cause you to have other signs that need to be treated. These may be things like: ‚  
  • Rapid pulse
  • Swelling of the throat
  • Sudden and very low blood pressure, which is shock
  • Serious allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis

What lifestyle changes are needed?


  • Always read the food label with care.
  • Ask about the ingredients when ordering foods in restaurants. Ingredients in dishes may change over time.
  • Be careful if you are eating food that you have not made yourself.
  • Know all the sources of peanut products. These may include peanut butter, peanut oil, cookies, baked goods, peanut brittle, chocolate-coated peanuts, and more.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Ease signs like swelling and itching
  • Control allergic reactions
  • Help with discomfort

Your doctor may give you an emergency shot to control serious allergic reactions. You may also be given a special shot to carry with you. This would be used if you have some other serious reaction to peanuts. ‚  

Will there be any other care needed?


  • Wear a medic alert ID. Make sure that you carry your emergency drugs all the time.
  • Tell family and friends about your health problem and how to help.
  • Do not eat foods you are not familiar with. Make a list of the foods you need to avoid.
  • Clean the kitchen area and cooking tools you use with care. This will help keep them from being contaminated by other foods. Be sure to wash knives, spoons, or forks that have touched peanuts.
  • Avoid walnuts, hazelnuts, and brazil nuts. Some people with a peanut allergy also react to tree nuts and other kinds of nuts.

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


There is no sure way to prevent peanut allergy. ‚  

Where can I learn more?


Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network ‚  
http://www.foodallergy.org/page/peanut-allergy ‚  
KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/nut_peanut_allergy.html ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-allergy/pages/intro1.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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