It is said that around 1 million children in the US suffer from a peanut allergy. Out of these statistics, only about 20 percent of them will outgrow their peanut allergies. Nonetheless, it is best to avoid peanuts and other food that contain this ingredient. It is also better to visit an allergy physician to help deal with your allergy issues.

Those with peanut allergy might suffer an adverse allergic reaction once they ingested even a small amount of peanut. Some common peanut allergy reactions include skin hives or swelling, stomach, or digestion problems. In the worst cases, peanut allergies can cause potentially life-threatening reactions such as airway constriction and inadequate blood flow.

Facts about peanut allergy

Here are basic but important facts about peanut allergies.

1. Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergies, especially among children.
2. Food allergies including peanut allergies can be potentially deadly. It can cause breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, and anaphylaxis in the worst cases.
3. There are about 3 million people in the US who are suffering from allergies due to tree nuts and peanuts.
4. Tree nuts include almonds, cashews, and walnuts. On the other hand, peanuts are actually legumes, the same as peas and soybeans.
5. A lot of people suffer from allergies throughout their lifetime, children and adults alike. However, about 20 percent of kids eventually outgrow their allergies.
6. You are more likely to have an allergy (including peanut allergy) if it is in your genes.
7. It is better to introduce peanuts to children at a young age. However, there should still be cautious when doing so to prevent the onset of allergic reactions.

How to prevent reactions due to peanut allergies

To prevent peanut allergies, you need to consult an allergy specialist doctor for proper treatment. You would also have to undergo allergy testing to confirm whether your allergies are indeed due to peanuts.

Aside from tests, you may also have to keep a food diary to track your food intake and medications taken in case of an allergic reaction. If you already know that peanuts are the culprit of your allergic reactions, make sure to get rid of it from your diet.

You can also use this method to confirm whether it’s the peanut that’s causing the allergies. Do not eat peanuts or food that contain even small traces of peanuts for at least a week. After that, you can slowly reintroduce it to your diet and see if you experience any adverse reactions when you do eat one later on.

Palforzia: The answer to peanut allergy?

Around the first quarter of 2020, the US FDA has approved Palforzia for peanut allergy treatment. The said medication aims to minimize the adverse effects of peanut allergy symptoms such as anaphylaxis. It can be taken by patients as young as 4 and above.

Common treatments used for peanut allergies include epinephrine and antihistamines. However, these treatments may not prevent severe symptoms even if taken in the right dosages and as per schedule.

Taking Palforzia requires three phases. First, is the Initial Dose Escalation. In this phase, this treatment is given for a day. The second phase, the Up-Dosing, requires multiple dosage levels in a course of several months. It should be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable allergy physician for the proper way of taking the medication. The third and last phase requires maintaining the dosages at home.

Just make sure to monitor the treatment of any adverse reaction. If there is, the patient should discontinue taking the treatment. Ironically, California is made from peanuts and comes in capsule and powder forms. It is then mixed with pudding, yogurt, or other semisolid foods. Make sure to consult an allergist doctor first before taking any allergy treatments.

Conclusion

Peanut allergies are only one of the many types of food allergies. Some may experience only mild symptoms while others may experience extreme ones. Also, make it a point to check food packaging labels to prevent possible allergic reactions.

Consult an allergy physician for any allergy-related concerns. An allergist in Manassas should be able to diagnose a possible peanut allergy and recommend the best treatment for it. Contact one today for your peace of mind.