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Peanut Allergy - what you should know

The peanut problem continues to grow and that’s partially a result of peanuts being a cheap source of dietary protein. At one time it was mainly found in peanut butter but because it is so cheap it is used in many different products. Since there are so many people suffering from a peanut allergy here’s what you need to know. The problem is as much about it being used in so many products. Rather it is about the labeling and how difficult it is to recognize that there are peanuts in it. Sometimes it is marked as hydrolyzed vegetable protein. Other times as ground nuts. It’s important to understand that a peanut allergy will not go away. In fact as you age it could get worse. Most of us know about a peanut allergy because it gets so much attention for its seriousness with anaphylactic shock reaction. The peanut allergy can move really quickly and occasionally in just minutes it can prove fatal. A peanut allergy needs to be treated with epinephrine immediately when the first signs of a reaction. After administering the epinephrine you still must monitor as the reaction can re-occur and another shot will have to be administered. Possible symptoms of a peanut allergy may include the following which are not listed in any specific order: 1. sense of foreboding, apprehension or fear 2. flushed face, hives, swollen or itchy lips, mouth, eyes, or tongue 3. tightness in chest, throat, or mouth, 4. difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, drooling, coughing, choking, running nose, voice change 5. vomiting, , stomach pains, nausea, diarrhea 6. dizziness, sudden fatigue, rapid heartbeat, unsteadiness, chills 7. loss of consciousness, coma, death There are many factors which contribute to the peanut allergy being a fatal reaction. 1. Improper Labeling – sadly even though the peanut allergy can be so deadly packaging labeling is still inadequate. 2. Lack of understanding by schools that serve food and restaurants who don’t properly notify customers of a peanut possibility. 3. Nuts marked incorrectly with peanuts being sold as some other type of nut. 4. Failure to carefully read the labels. 5. Failure to inquire at restaurants and places where a problem may arise. 6. Sharing food or utensils that can cross contaminate. 7. Kissing someone that has been eating peanut products. 8. Failure to understand that a very small amount of peanuts can kill. 9. Denial of symptoms that you have a peanut allergy. 10. Not wearing a medical bracelet identifying your allergy. Thankfully there is a treatment that works well for a serious peanut allergy. But problems still occur which can be fatal. Epinephrine or your Epi-Pen may be outdated. Sometimes a person will wait too long to take their epinephrine. Another problem is not having a second dose of epinephrine with you. Allergy suffers often carry one pen. Another problem is failure to report to emergency after taking epinephrine. All of these issues may be little if the peanut allergy wasn’t so serious. Living with a peanut allergy is like living with any allergy or illness. The big difference is the seriousness of the peanut allergy. Make sure you understand and make appropriate lifestyle changes. Get all the latest information about Alleregies from the only true source at http://www.1allergyinformation.com Be sure to check out our peanut allergy pages. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Michaelson

Peanut Allergy

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, almost 10 percent of children in the United States are affected by food allergies. Six foods account for 90 percent of allergic reactions being milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts. Half of those with a peanut allergy are also allergic to tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews (and often sunflower and sesame seeds as well). Diagnosing a Nut or Peanut Allergy Children generally do not outgrow a nut or peanut allergy. Diagnosing food allergies early in a child’s life is difficult since babies cannot tell their parents when their stomachs hurt or their throats itch. Due to this, doctors recommend that parents refrain from feeding their children peanut butter or other nut or peanut products until after they are 2 years old. If there is a family history of nut or peanut allergies, parents should wait until their child is 3 to trial nut or peanut products. Nut or Peanut Allergy Symptoms Initial allergic reactions entail a runny nose, an itchy skin rash over their entire body, or a tingly tongue or lips. Symptoms can quickly escalate into nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or other parts of the body, rapid drop in blood pressure, and dizziness or unconsciousness. Nut and peanut allergy symptoms generally appear within a few seconds to two hours after ingesting or being exposed to the allergen. Testing for a Nut or Peanut Allergy If your doctor suspects your child may have a nut or peanut allergy, they will recommend visiting an allergy specialist. To test for a nut or peanut allergy, the allergist will conduct a skin test or take a blood sample to send to a lab. Treating a Nut or Peanut Allergy Since there is no medicine available to treat nut or peanut allergies, the best treatment is to avoid eating nuts. This may sound easy, but keep in mind that nuts are often mixed in foods and young children are unable to read food label warnings. Those particularly sensitive to this allergy will need to avoid foods that are made in the same factory that makes nut products. The bulk of kids with this allergy will simply need to avoid eating nuts or foods containing nuts. Handling an Allergic Reaction Parents of children with a serious nut or peanut allergy should create a plan in the event of an allergic reaction. Notify teachers, the school nurse, coaches, friends, etc. so everyone will know what the reaction entails and how to respond. The most serious reaction will involve anaphylaxis where several problems occur at once. To treat anaphylaxis immediately, doctors recommend that people with a nut or peanut allergy (or those supervising them) keep a shot of epinephrine with them. Epinephrine injections come in easy-to-carry containers that look like a pen. If the shot is administered, the child should go to a hospital or medical facility to make sure the reaction is under control. Hilary Basile is a writer for http://www.myguidesusa.com  At MyGuidesUSA.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com. Find parenting tips and resources at http://www.myguidesusa.com/becomingaparent Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Basile