If you are allergic to peanuts then you suffer from allergies Type 1 what is also called Contact Allergies. Peanut oil is used in so many foods preparations that avoiding them can be very difficult. At the present time there is no known cure for allergies that involve food. Everyone that is allergic to peanuts should wear a Medical Alert Bracelet identifying the specific food intolerance.

Peanuts do not grow on trees and are not considered true nuts. Peanuts are part of the legume family, which include, peas, lima beans, lentils and soybeans. If you or someone you know suffers from allergies to peanuts you should be constantly on watch for other legume allergies. Other allergies may never appear but the possibility for other problem exists. Allergy testing should be completed on each of these foods separately just to be sure.

Over 3 million people or 1 percent of the population in the United States suffer from allergy reaction to peanuts. Peanut allergies account for over 80 percent of the fatal or near-fatal reaction call anaphylactic shock. An anaphylactic reaction can cause the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult and your blood pressure to drop to life-threatening levels. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, stomach cramps, swelling of the face, itching, wheezing, and hives.

The proteins found in peanuts trigger the immune system to reaction. Antibodies and histamines are releases into the blood stream in an attempt to neutralize the peanut protein. These chemicals trigger the allergic symptoms. In sever cases Epinephrine, also call Adrenaline, is administered to control the anaphylaxis reaction.

If you have even a mild reaction to peanuts you need to notify you doctor immediately. Food allergies can gradually get worst over time until a sudden onset of a life threaten reaction occurs. The more times you are exposed to the offending allergen the worst the symptom can become.

Peanuts can show up in the most unsuspecting foods. Until a cure is found, read the labels of every food that you bring into your home. Because the manufacturing processes change continuously re-read the labels each time you purchase a product. On January 1, 2006 a new law was passed stating that all labels should be designed in such a way that a 7 year old child could read and understand the ingredients.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.