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Peanut Allergy

Condition Basics

What is a peanut allergy?

A peanut allergy is a reaction that occurs when your body mistakenly identifies peanuts as a harmful substance. When you eat peanuts or food that contains peanuts, your body's immune system overreacts. This can cause a severe allergic reaction that may need immediate medical care.

What causes it?

It's not clear why peanuts trigger a reaction in some people. An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system overreacts and releases chemicals, including histamine, into your blood. These chemicals can affect different tissues in the body. These include the skin, eyes, nose, airways, intestinal tract, lungs, and blood vessels.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of peanut allergy can range from mild to severe. If you have a mild reaction, you may get:

  • A stomachache.
  • A runny nose.
  • Itchy eyes.
  • Hives.
  • Tingling in your lips or tongue.

Your symptoms may start from within a few minutes to a few hours after eating peanuts or peanut products.

People who are allergic to peanuts may have a dangerous reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include:

  • Problems breathing and swallowing.
  • Severe belly pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • Dizziness.
  • Dangerously low blood pressure.
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and other parts of the body.
  • Loss of consciousness.

Anaphylaxis can cause death if not treated. It usually occurs within minutes but can occur up to several hours after eating peanuts or peanut products.

How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose a peanut allergy, your doctor will start with a medical history and a physical exam. Your doctor will want to know about family members with food allergies, especially siblings with peanut allergies.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and how soon they started after you ate the food. They will ask if any over-the-counter allergy medicines like an antihistamine were helpful.

You may also have allergy tests, such as skin tests or blood tests.

It's important to find out whether you have a food allergy or food intolerance. You may be asked to keep a record of all the foods you eat and any reactions to the foods. Your doctor may also have you do an oral food challenge during your appointment so any reaction can be monitored and treated.

How is an allergic reaction to peanuts treated?

Avoiding any contact with peanuts, foods that contain peanuts, and peanut oils is the best treatment. But if you eat peanuts by accident, follow your doctor's instructions.

If you had a severe reaction in the past, your doctor probably prescribed a medicine called epinephrine. If you have symptoms in more than one body area, such as mild nausea and an itchy mouth, give yourself an epinephrine shot. Then call 911.

Even if you feel better after giving yourself the shot, symptoms of anaphylaxis can recur or suddenly appear hours later. You will need to be watched in a hospital for several hours after your symptoms go away.

If you do not have epinephrine and are having a severe allergic reaction, call 911 right away.

How can you prevent it?

This is how to prevent an allergic reaction to peanuts.

  • Avoid peanuts.

    Avoid any contact with peanuts, foods that contain peanuts, and peanut oils.

  • Understand your allergy.

    Be aware that you need to protect yourself. Read food labels or ask kitchen staff at restaurants if there are peanuts or peanut oils hidden in any of the foods you order. For example, some cooks thicken chili with peanut butter. Some people are so severely allergic to peanuts that being near them or breathing air that contains peanut residue can cause an allergic reaction.

  • Let others know that you or your child has a peanut allergy.

    Make sure that all caregivers (such as school administrators, teachers, babysitters, and coaches), friends, and coworkers:

    • Know what the symptoms of an allergic reaction look like.
    • Know where the epinephrine shot is kept and how to give the shot.
    • Have a plan to transport you or your child to the hospital.
  • Wear a medical alert bracelet or medallion that lists your allergy.

    This will alert emergency response workers if you have a severe allergic reaction. Medical alert jewelry can be ordered through most pharmacies or online.

  • Keep your epinephrine shot with you at all times.

    Make sure older children know how to give you or themselves the shot. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure how to give yourself the shot.

  • Keep other medicines with you if your doctor recommends it.

    This includes antihistamines used for mild reactions. Antihistamines are not a substitute for epinephrine in a severe allergic reaction.

If you think you are having an allergic reaction, get help. Do not minimize how serious this problem is. After you give yourself an epinephrine shot, call your doctor immediately or seek other emergency services. You will need to be observed for several hours to make sure the reaction does not recur.

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Interventional Cardiology Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded ICA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary