Peanut allergy
An allergic reaction to peanuts, the leading cause of anaphylaxis, the most severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction, and the leading cause of death from food allergy in the US and other Western nations.
The prevalence of peanut allergy is increasing. This increase may be due to the exposure of infants with rashes to products such as skin preparations containing peanut oils, sensitizing the children to peanuts.
Peanuts contain the same major allergenic proteins (called Ara h 1, 2, and 3) as tree nuts such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios. About a third of persons with peanut allergy therefore have subsequent allergic reactions to tree nuts.
To prevent allergic reactions, one should avoid all nuts and foods containing nuts. This is easier said than done. Food labels should be scrutinized and dishes of unknown origin should be avoided. Despite such precautions, people with peanut allergy average a reaction every 3 to 5 years from inadvertent exposure.
A Medic Alert bracelet is advised. Patients and parents of children with peanut allergy should learn the early signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, tongue swelling, throat tightening, and vomiting. They must also carry appropriate medications, including liquid diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and, most importantly, have self-injectable epinephrine (Adrenaline) on hand at all times. It there is accidental peanut exposure, these medications should be used immediately. Then the patient should go to an emergency room as soon as possible for further treatment and for observation because of the risk of a second delayed (biphasic) reaction.
The patient’s IgE (immunoglobulin E) is integral to peanut allergy. IgE binds to mast cells and triggers the production and release of histamine and other molecules that mediate the allergic reaction. Antibodies directed against IgE can prevent IgE from binding to mast cells.
Regular injection of a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody raises the threshold of tolerance in patients with peanut allergy. (Instead of reacting to half a peanut, people had no reactions until they ate on the average 9 peanuts.) Anti-IgE provides some protection against inadvertent exposure to peanuts, an everpresent danger.
Read Also:
- Peccant
Unhealthy. Causing illness or disease. “…the subtile parts of the tobacco in inspiration are carried into the trachea and lungs, where they loosen the peccant humours adhering thereto, and promote expectoration.” (From the entry to tobacco in the First Edition of the Encyclop�dia Britannica, 1771) The word peccant comes from the Latin peccans, from peccare […]
- Pecs
Slang for the pectoral muscles, muscles of the “anterior chest” (the front of the chest). The Latin “pectus” means “chest.”
- Pectoral muscles
Muscles of the “anterior chest” (the front of the chest). Familiarly called the pecs. The Latin “pectus” means “chest.”
- Pectoralis muscle absence with syndactyly
191, 1841). Poland became a celebrated surgeon and ophthalmologist but had to retire in 1867 due to a chronic cough. He died in 1872 at the age of 51 of “consumption of the lungs” (pulmonary tuberculosis). Although Poland could never have discovered this syndrome without George Elt, Mr. Elt has not been credited nor has […]
- Pectus carinatum
Pigeon-breasted. In Latin “pectus” means “chest” and “carina” keel = a chest shaped like the keel of a boat (looking at the keel from outside the boat). While it is generally asymptomatic, patients may be short of breath and feel heart palpitations. Wheezing, asthma and pulmonary problems may occur.