It is almost impossible for some of us to pass the day without including peanuts in our meals or snacks. It is, however, interesting to know that peanuts are also a very common source of allergy for many people especially kids.
What Are Peanut Allergies?
Some people experience certain severe reactions upon coming into contact with peanuts. It occurs when the immune system of the person wrongly identifies the proteins in peanuts as potentially harmful.
The reaction an allergic person experiences is as a result of the immune system ejecting certain chemicals into the bloodstream. This is what causes an allergic person to experience certain symptoms after coming into contact with peanuts.
You might probably be wondering by now why some people have a peanut aversion. Going deeper into this article you will find out why.
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What Causes The Allergies?
Peanut allergies are caused by coming into contact with peanuts directly or indirectly. Exposure can occur in the following ways:
- Consuming peanuts or foods containing foods.
- In some cases, direct skin contact with peanuts can also bring about allergies.
- Inhalation of air containing peanuts may also trigger reactions. This can be from a source such as peanut flour.
Possible Symptoms
If you are allergic to peanuts, you are likely to experience the following symptoms:
- Skin reactions such as itchiness, eczema and hives
- Respiratory symptoms like; shortness of breath, running nose and wheezing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting
- In severe cases, you may lose consciousness or experience a drop in blood pressure
Preventive Measures
- Early introduction: recent studies suggest that introducing peanuts to at-risk babies at 4 to 6 months old can reduce food allergy risk by up to 80%. However, it is important to seek medical advice before introducing your baby to peanuts.
- Gradual exposure: as a parent, you can introduce your child to peanuts in a gradual and controlled manner with the help of a medical expert
- Breastfeeding: it is also believed that breastfeeding your baby for the first 4 – 6 months of its life can provide some sort of protection against allergies
Kindly keep in mind that, these preventive measures may not be effective for everyone. Therefore, it is important to seeking medical advice before taking any step.
