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What in Peanuts Causes my Peanut allergy symptoms?
By Alex Christie (BA Hons, LCHE, MARH, B.Inst.A.T.)
Peanuts, unlike tree nuts, are not nuts from a taxonomical point of view, but belong to the legume family and are thus related to peas, beans and lentils. The protein fraction of peanuts makes up 25-30% of the kernal. Recently an increasing number of peanut proteins have been identified as potential allergens for peanut allergy symptoms sufferers. It is uncertain what causes peanut proteins to be such strong allergens. Studies have shown that the allergenicity of these proteins is very resistant to thermal, chemical and proteolytic denaturation, so people suffering from peanut allergy symptoms should avoid all forms of peanuts.
Who can develop peanut allergy symptoms?
Anyone can develop a peanut allergy symptoms, but it is more common in people who have other atopic conditions, like eczema, asthma or hay fever, or who have other family members with these conditions. Atopic conditions are allergic conditions which are inherited.
It is not yet known whether eating peanuts and peanut products in pregnancy increases the risk of a child developing peanut allergy symptoms. The Department of Health recommends that if a member of the immediate family has an atopic condition, the mother should avoid peanuts and peanut products during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you think your child is at risk it is advisable to avoid peanuts or peanut products until he or she is at least three years old.
The majority of children and 50% of adults who suffer from peanut allergy symptoms are allergic to other nuts like walnuts, cashews or brazil nuts.
What are the symptoms of peanut allergy symptoms?
The peanut allergy symptoms vary from person to person. Most people develop peanut allergy symptoms immediately after coming into contact with peanuts. The degree of allergic reaction also varies from person to person.
Some people are so sensitive that they can have a reaction after touching another person who has eaten peanuts, while some feel unwell whilst in a room in which there are some peanuts. Some people have a mild reaction which might include an itchy rash, tingling on the lips, tongue or roof of the mouth, stomach pain, diarrhoea or sickness. Others, however, have a more serious reaction (anaphylaxis) which may include facial swelling, difficulty breathing, weakness, and/or collapse. It is important to recognise that anaphylaxis can occur with collapse or drowsiness rather than with a rash or laboured breathing.
How is peanut allergy symptoms diagnosed?
A reaction occurring within half an hour and up to as many as six hours of coming into contact with peanuts is likely to be peanut allergy symptoms. An allergy test with an Allergy Practitioner will confirm this by muscle testing. Muscle testing is safe and painless and can be used with clients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Alternatively, your doctor can arrange for skin prick tests and an examination of the number of antibodies in a small sample of your blood. However, not everyone likes having their skin pricked or giving blood samples.
What causes peanut allergy symptoms?
Food allergy can develop at any age although it appears more commonly in the first three years of life. An increasing incidence of peanut allergy symptoms and peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions among infants and young children has been reported. The suggested explanation for this is an increased dietary exposure to peanuts at an earlier age than occurred previously.
The reports of peanut-induced allergic reactions associated with the first known exposure to peanuts suggest that infants can become sensitised to peanuts through breastfeeding, via skin lesions (via some skin ointments and oils used for atopic children), or via the respiratory system following exposure to peanut allergen (e.g. derived from some milk formulas and nipple creams) or as an unrecognised cross sensitisation to similar allergens.
There is also some evidence that sensitisation could happen in utero. Factors which can predispose an individual to peanut allergy symptoms include family and personal history of atopy, age and dietary exposure at a vulnerable stage. Atopic individuals with asthma seem to be at increased risk of developing severe food allergy reactions. A previous moderate to severe allergic reaction with immediate onset of symptoms is a good prediction of subsequent risk of suffering anaphylaxis.
A safe and effective way of treating peanut allergy symptoms
If you have a peanut allergy with peanut allergy symptoms you can desensitise yourself to peanuts homeopathically. For one or more weeks, depending on the result of your allergy test, you will take peanuts in homeopathic form. This is safe even for those suffering from a life-threatening peanut allergy symptoms and anaphylaxis. Desensitisation will prevent you from suffering an anaphylactic shock should you eat foods containing traces of peanut, or enter an environment containing peanuts. If you have suffered strong reactions in the past it will still be advisable to avoid peanuts. However, you will no longer be at risk of a serious allergic reaction.
If you have peanut allergy symptoms and intend to travel somewhere by plane and have not yet been desensitised, ring the airline to ask if they serve peanuts on board. If they do, contact the Anaphylaxis Campaign for a list of airlines which do not serve peanuts.
Until you desensitise yourself or your child It is advisable to tell schools, nurseries and clubs about your peanut allergy symptoms so they can plan food and activities to take this into account. Some schools and nurseries have now banned peanuts and peanut products from packed lunches.
What are the prospects for people with peanut allergy symptoms?
Once you are desensitized and have been treated homeopathically for your peanut allergy symptoms, it is unlikely that you will suffer from an anaphylactic shock should you come into contact with peanuts. Homeopathy stimulates your immune system so you can tolerate substances that previously caused an allergic reaction in you. You safely can treat peanut allergies and any other allergies or intolerances with homeopathy.
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