Peanut Allergy

A peanut allergy is an immune system response to proteins found in peanuts. For people with this allergy, their immune system mistakenly identifies these proteins as harmful and overreacts to them, causing symptoms that can range from mild to severe.

When someone with a peanut allergy consumes peanuts or comes into contact with peanut proteins, their body releases chemicals like histamine, which triggers symptoms. These can include:

• Skin reactions like hives, redness, or swelling

• Itching or tingling in the mouth

• Digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath

• Anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction, which can include difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness

Peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies, particularly in children. They can often persist into adulthood. The best way to manage a peanut allergy is by avoiding peanuts and products containing peanuts, as well as carrying an epinephrine injector (EpiPen) in case of an emergency reaction.