Peanut Allergy Symptoms and Treatment

Recent estimates suggest that nearly one million children and adolescents in the United States have a peanut allergy, with approximately 20 percent of these individuals outgrowing their allergy over time. The majority of individuals with a peanut allergy will have it for the rest of their lives.

The incidence of peanut allergy has been on the rise in recent years, which may be attributed to a variety of factors in our society, such as environmental changes, dietary changes over time, and even long-term recommendations to abstain from peanut-based foods.

Regardless of the cause, it is important to diagnose and treat a peanut allergy as soon as possible, as peanut allergy reactions can be severe. The following sections provide an overview of common peanut allergy reactions, peanut allergy causes, and peanut allergy treatment.

Peanut Allergy Symptoms

Peanut allergy reactions may result in a variety of skin, respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular manifestations. These manifestations may include:

Hives
Swelling of the skin
Mouth or throat becoming itchy
Swelling of the tongue
Runny nose
Red or watery eyes
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting
Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

Severe peanut allergies are the most common type of food allergy that can lead to anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock). Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Symptoms of an anaphylaxis include:

Shortness of breath (and/or wheezing)
Constriction of the throat
Persistent dizziness or collapse
Confusion
Weak, rapid pulse
Pale and floppy (young children)

Peanut Allergy Causes

Peanut allergies are primarily caused by an abnormal immune response to proteins found in peanuts. When an individual with a predisposition to peanut allergies comes into contact with peanut proteins, their immune system mistakenly identifies these proteins as harmful invaders and triggers a peanut allergy reaction.

Peanut allergies can be hereditary, as individuals with a family history of allergies are more prone to developing this condition.

Additionally, early exposure to peanuts during infancy may influence the development of allergies, with delayed introduction increasing the risk. Although the exact mechanisms are still under investigation, these insights into the causes of peanut allergies are vital for both prevention and peanut allergy treatment.

Peanut Allergy Testing

Peanut allergy testing plays an important role in diagnosing and managing allergies to peanuts, which can be life-threatening for some individuals.

Peanut allergy testing may include:

Skin Prick Test

A test in which the skin is lightly pricked with a tiny amount of peanut allergens, followed by monitoring for a reaction.

Blood Test

Measures the levels of IgE antibodies developed by the immune system, providing valuable information about the severity of the allergy.

Component Test

A blood test that evaluates a patient’s ability to tolerate specific components of allergens. A peanut allergy component test is essential in differentiating between a cross-reaction to pollen or a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Oral Food Challenge

A gradual process in which a patient consumes a small amount of a suspected allergen over a period of three to four hours. As serious allergic reactions can be life-threatening, it should only be conducted under the guidance of a qualified clinician.

FAI’s Advanced Food Allergy Testing

Our Foundation Labs (CLIA Certified) specializes in component testing of 130+ different allergens, including allergen components that are not available at national laboratories and hundreds of different biomarkers.

Foods to Avoid to Prevent Peanut Allergy Reactions

Other Names For Peanut

People with peanut allergies should be extremely cautious about the foods they consume to prevent potentially severe peanut allergy reactions. In addition to avoiding peanuts, peanut oil, peanut butter and peanut flour, reading food labels diligently is essential, as peanuts or peanut derivatives can hide under various names, like the following:

Arachis oil (another name for peanut oil)
Artificial nuts
Beer nuts
Cold-pressed, expelled or extruded peanut oil
Earth nuts
Ground nuts
Lupin (or lupine)
Mandelonas
Mixed nuts
Monkey nuts
Nut meat or nut meal
Nut pieces
Peanut protein hydrolysate

Cross-contamination is a significant concern, so it’s crucial to steer clear of foods that may have come into contact with peanuts during preparation. It’s wise to avoid foods processed in facilities that handle peanuts, as traces of allergens can still be present. It is essential to regularly inspect the components of the following commonly consumed foods:

African, Chinese, Mexican,Thai, and other ethnic dishes
Baked goods
Candy
Cereals
Chili, spaghetti sauce
Crackers
Egg rolls
Enchilada sauce
Flavoring (natural and artificial)
Hydrolyzed plant protein
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Ice creams, frozen yogurts, and nondairy frozen desserts
Marzipan
Nougat

Peanut Allergy Treatment

For those with egg allergies, the only proven food allergy treatment that makes it possible to achieve remission is the Food Allergy Institute’s Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP).

TIP™ builds tolerance to the unique proteins each individual is allergic to, all before introducing their most anaphylactic allergen(s).

This ensures patient safety, and over time alters their immune system to not react to any of their allergens. Once an individual has reached remission, they can eat like anyone without a food allergy for the rest of their life.

OIT and similar food allergy treatments aim to desensitize patients to protect them from “accidental exposure.” Through TIP™, patients can eat as freely as a non-allergic person would.

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Allergens Treated

The Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP) successfully treats ALL severe food allergies, including the TOP 9 major allergens and many more!

Peanuts
Tree Nuts
Milk
Eggs
Shellfish
Wheat

Soy
Fish
Lentil
Mustard
Sesame
And more

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*Not a guarantee of coverage. Please contact your insurance company directly to determine if the Food Allergy Institute is within your network and considered a participating provider under your plan.