Peanut Allergy as the name suggests, refers to the occurrence of abnormal allergic reactions within the body after eating peanuts or consuming food items containing peanuts. It is caused due to the proteins present in the peanuts, mainly because of the legumes.

The ever protective immune system of the body, mistakenly finds peanut as a harmful substance, becomes over protective and responds by releasing antibodies to counter attack the invaders. The antibodies cling on to the mast cells and further release many devastating chemicals into the blood. These chemicals include histamines, which are the real culprits for causing abnormal allergic reactions. Even just by inhaling the allergens present in the peanuts and peanut products, like peanut flour or peanut oil, can trigger overreactions in the body of a hypersensitive person.

Many people often confuse peanut allergies with tree nut allergies, but tree nut allergy is caused from dry fruits and peanut allergy is caused due to legumes. The symptoms of both these allergies are more or less same as well as grave. However, the intriguing fact is that even the doctors are not sure about is why some people are allergic to peanut and many others are not!

Peanut allergy starts from early childhood and the common signs are irritation and other mild symptoms which can further become deadly reactions known as Anaphylaxis.

It has been observed that the percentage of outgrowing peanut allergy is not as high as compared to other types of allergies and people often find it quite difficult to outgrow peanut allergies if proper attention is not paid at the initial stages.

In a recent research it has been found that about 1% of the US population is allergic to peanuts and approximately 125 US citizens die every year because of hypersensitivity to peanuts. However, as we all know that there is no sure shot formula for curing allergies, and Peanut allergies are no different. There are no 100% effective treatments available but keeping certain basic precautions like avoiding any contact, be it, consuming, or even inhaling and touching, with the peanut and its products, or having the vaccine of adrenaline or injectable epinephrine in case of emergency, are very useful in making you live an allergy free life.

Do check out the Peanut allergy symptoms and if you find any of those signs in you or in your near and dear ones, then do fix an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Feel absolutely free to share any other important aspect of peanut allergies.