A peanut allergy is one of the most common causes of a severe allergy attack in children and adults.If you suspect that you have a peanut allergy, there are steps you can take to make sure you don't have it in the future.If you know you have a peanut allergy, you can prevent a life threatening situation.
Step 1: Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be observed.
A staple food for school age children is peanut butter.Unless precautions are made in advance, it's important to determine if your child is allergic before sending them to school.A young child with no family history of food allergies does not need to take a food allergy test.Children of peanut allergic siblings were assessed to see if they have an allergy to peanuts.The study showed that siblings of peanut allergic patients had a peanut allergy.It is believed that allergies won't appear until the second exposure or later.Small and gradual food introduction over weeks may be the best approach since the body may determine if the food is safe after the first exposure.If the person is highly allergic, eating the food is not a requirement to be tested.If your child is allergic to the odor, has a skin reaction on the back of the hand, or has food on their lips, it's time to check.If you have a high risk, top-8 food, it's best to take it slowly because once the allergy is in the stomach, you aren't going to get it all out.
Step 2: These guidelines can be used to recognize allergic reactions.
It is thought that peanut allergies are more severe than other food allergies.Within two hours of eating food, some allergic reactions can happen.anaphylaxis can happen within minutes.Track how long it took for the allergy symptoms to develop if they are on the mild end of the scale.
Step 3: All the foods that the person ate in the hours leading up to the reaction should be written down.
Pay attention to other allergies.Between 25% and 35% of those allergic to peanuts have an allergy to tree nuts.If a person is showing symptoms when he eats tree nuts, he may also be allergic to peanuts.
Step 4: Look at ingredient labels.
If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, check the labels on the foods you've recently eaten.Certain batches of food may be exposed to cross-contamination if peanuts are included in them.
Step 5: You can visit an allergist.
If you or your doctor suspect you have a peanut allergy, you should make an appointment with an allergist or immunologist.A thorough history and physical will be obtained by this professional.When you encounter peanuts or tree nuts, you will be the focus of this appointment.Accommodating food allergies can affect lifestyle, quality of life and mental health.It is important to be prepared for a possible allergic reaction, but also not to live in fear because of tests which may have false positive results.There is a chance of a severe reaction from a small accidental exposure.Some of the Immunotherapy protocols are still in clinical trials.
Step 6: You need to go through allergy testing.
There are several tests that can be administered to provoke an IgE response.The only way to be certain about the scope of the peanut allergy is with an oral challenge test.If the patient has had an anaphylactic reaction in the past, the doctor may want to start with blood testing.The first thing to be done is skin testing.
Step 7: You can take a skin test.
The test involves exposing you to something.There is a chance that you may experience anaphylaxis.The test is done by a skilled allergist and immunologist who are also skilled at treating anaphylaxis.You will be exposed to common allergens when the allergist performs an initial diagnostic.A small amount of solution will be placed on the skin and a special tool will make a small scratch.To keep track of which area is injected with which allergens, the allergist will diagram the scratch sites.You will be monitored for any dangerous response.The injection sites are checked for a raised itchy area if there is an allergy.
Step 8: Take a blood test.
Blood will be drawn by the allergist to be used for IgE testing.The benefit of this type of test is that the patient is not exposed to the potential allergens.There are some false positive results from blood testing.If newer RAST or ImmunoCap blood testing is available, ask.A person's IgE levels can be measured with the ImmunoCap test.Your medical insurance may not cover these tests.If you want to pay out of pocket or if your health clinic won't perform the test, ask where you can get it.The sample of the patient's blood is presented in the laboratory.There is a radio labeled human IgE human antibody.RAST testing is ranked 0-6.zero indicates no sensitivity and six is the highest sensitivity.An oral challenge to confirm an allergy is required for a RAST of 3 or less.Asking about the rate of false positive results is important.
Step 9: Take a challenge.
This is the only way to be certain that there is no allergy.Since most peanut allergies are severe with a high risk of anaphylaxis, testing should only be done in a supervised medical environment that can provide emergency treatment.You will start with small amounts of the allergen, exposure to only the lips.When the waiting period is over, the next dose is increased until a reaction occurs.You have to wait four hours after the last dose to make sure there is no reaction.
Step 10: The food challenge is a last resort.
This test is used to confirm an allergy.Eligibility to participate in clinical trials is determined by this testing.This test takes a lot of time.The patient will have to go through two challenges in a row.In one challenge the patient is given a placebo.The patient and the allergist don't know which capsule has the allergy, which helps to prevent false reactions.It can be useful to know the exact allergy that affects a person.
Step 11: There is a prescription for an Epipen.
An Epipen auto is used to counteract anaphylactic reactions.If there is a chance of anaphylaxis, get a prescription for this medical device.You should always have your Epipen with you.It is useful for children to have one at school and the other at home.The Epipen should be carried by adults and adolescents at all times.Discuss injection techniques with your doctor.
Step 12: Discuss the allergy with family members and school officials.
It is important that you have a community that protects you from the peanut allergy.Special care should be taken at school.Food allergies can be fatal in school.18% of students with food allergies will have at least one reaction at school over the course of two years.The school nurse, family members, and caregivers should be educated about the use of the Epipen in the event of an ingestion of peanuts.
Step 13: There is a possibility that this is not the case.
It is important to know how to read labels.If there is any exposure, manufacturers are required to put peanuts on food labels.Phrases such as "made in a facility that shares equipment that processes peanuts" are included.
Step 14: If a person has an anaphylactic reaction to peanut butter, expect a peanut allergy.
It can be caused by more than peanut allergies.The leading cause of anaphylaxis in children under the age of four is food allergies.A person with a peanut allergy should be tested by an allergist.In the United States, there are 200 deaths and 30,000 episodes of anaphylaxis each year.
Step 15: Immediate medical attention is needed with anaphylactic shock.
She should be taken to the emergency room immediately if she has an anaphylactic reaction.She will need an Epipen injection immediately.The doctor can perform a number of procedures on the affected individual.These procedures will prevent the patient's death from anaphylactic shock.In the emergency room, the individual will receive an IV.If respiratory failure is imminent, the patient will be placed on a ventilator.It is important that the person is intubated before the larynx begins to spasm.The patient can receive H2 blockers via IV, which will decrease their histamine response.If necessary, the patient may receive blood pressure support.Delays in recognition of anaphylaxis were associated with delays in administration.In cases where anaphylaxis was quickly identified and the patient was treated with anaphylactic injection, 10% still died.The person will be observed for several hours either on the medical wards or in the ER after the reaction, as a second, delayed response may manifest in a few hours.Ensuring a safe discharge requires an observation period.