Showing posts with label Peanut Allergy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peanut Allergy. Show all posts

Monday, August 8, 2011

Prevention Of Peanut Allergy

The best way to prevent an allergic reaction to peanuts is to know and avoid foods that cause signs and symptoms. Some foods can be well hidden peanuts. This is especially true in restaurants and in other social contexts.

If you know you have allergies to peanuts, do the following:

How to avoid peanuts. Remember to read food labels carefully and avoid foods that have come into contact with peanuts.

Be prepared for a reaction. Talk to your doctor about carrying emergency drug if you have had a severe reaction.

Avoid foods that often contain peanuts

Peanuts are common, and avoid foods that contain them can be a challenge. The following foods often contain peanuts:

Ground or mixed nuts

Baked goods such as biscuits and pastries

Gelato and ice cream packaging

Energy Bar

Cereals and granola

Grain breads

Marshmallows, molding packaging of nuts, egg whites and sugar

Less obvious foods may contain peanuts or peanut protein or because they had signed with them or because they came into contact with them during the manufacturing process. Examples:

Nougat.

Chocolate candies, nut butters (such as almond butter) and sunflower seeds.

Food culture of African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai and Vietnamese.

Foods sold in bakeries and ice.

Peanut oil, another name for peanut oil.

Treatment Of Peanut Allergy

With a bit of food allergy, the treatment includes taking steps to avoid foods that cause the reaction, learning the steps you can take to alleviate mild symptoms and how to recognize and respond to a severe reaction.

Be prepared for a reaction

The only way to avoid a reaction is to avoid peanuts and peanut products completely. But peanuts are common, and despite your best efforts, you are likely to come into contact with peanuts at a time.

For minor allergic reactions, on-the-counter or prescription antihistamines can help reduce symptoms. These medications can be taken after exposure to peanuts to help relieve the itching or hives. However, antihistamines are not sufficient to treat a severe allergic reaction.

At the end of a severe allergic reaction, you may need an injection of adrenaline and an emergency mobile clinic. Many people with allergies to carry epinephrine MR injector (EpiPen, EpiPen Jr or Twinject). This device is connected to the syringe and needle that injects a dose of medicine hidden against his thigh.

Using the auto-injector

If your doctor has told adrenaline injector MR:

Bring with you all the time. It can be a good idea to keep an extra auto-injector in the car or on your desk at work as well.

Always replace it before the expiration date. Out-of-date adrenaline may not work correctly.

Ask your doctor will prescribe a backup autoinjector. If you miss one, you have an extra.

How to operate it. Ask your doctor to show you. Also make sure the people closest to you know how to use it - if someone with you, give you a an anaphylactic emergency, he or she will save your life.

Knowing when to use them. Talk to your doctor about how to recognize when a photo is required. For mild allergic reaction to peanuts may be well to go directly to the emergency room without the aid of an automatic injector. However, if you do not know if the reaction is severe enough to warrant a shot, it is usually better to err on the side of caution and emergency use of epinephrine.

Symptoms Of Peanut Allergy

An allergic reaction to peanuts usually occurs within minutes after exposure, and symptoms range from mild to severe. The symptoms of peanut allergy can include:

Skin reactions such as hives, redness or swelling

Itching and tingling in or around the mouth and throat

Gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting

Chest tightness

Difficulty breathing or wheezing

Runny or stuffy nose

Anaphylaxis

Peanut allergy is one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires treatment with epinephrine (adrenaline) injector (EpiPen, EpiPen Jr or Twinject) and a trip to the shower room emergency.

Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

Stenosis Airways

Inflammation of the throat that makes breathing difficult

A significant drop in blood pressure (shock)

Fast

Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

When to seek medical advice

Talk to your doctor if you think you are allergic to peanuts, especially if you have had a severe reaction.

Seek emergency treatment if you have a severe reaction to peanuts, especially if you have signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Causes Of Peanut Allergy

Peanut allergy occurs when your immune system mistakenly identifies the peanut proteins that something harmful. When you have a direct or indirect contact with peanuts, your immune system releases chemicals that cause symptoms in your blood. It is not known exactly why some people are allergic to peanuts and others do not.

Exposure to peanuts can occur in several ways:

Direct contact. The most common cause of peanut allergy is eating peanuts or peanut containing foods. Sometimes direct contact with peanuts can cause an allergic reaction.

Cross contact. It is the unintentional introduction of peanuts into a product. It is usually the result of a food that is exposed to peanuts during processing or handling.

Inhalation. An allergic reaction can occur if you inhale dust or aerosols containing peanuts such as peanut flour or cooking spray peanut oil.

Food allergies vs food intolerance

In some cases, that may be affected by food allergy may actually be a food intolerance. Unlike true food allergy, food intolerance does not involve the immune system. When the actual food allergy, even small amounts of food can cause a serious reaction. In most cases, a person who has a food intolerance can eat small amounts of food only mild symptoms such as indigestion or heartburn.

Peanut Allergy Overview

Peanut allergy is common, especially in children. The symptoms of peanut allergy can range from minor irritation to a life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis). For some people with peanut allergy, even small amounts of peanut can cause a severe reaction.

If you or your child had a reaction to peanuts, tell your doctor about this. Allergy to peanuts is one of the most common causes of severe allergy attacks. It is important for even a mild reaction to peanuts verified. Even if you or your child has had only a mild allergic reaction in the past, there is always a risk of a severe reaction to come.