Peanut allergy

Peanut allergy
A peanut allergy warning
SpecialtyEmergency medicine
SymptomsItchiness, hives, swelling, eczema, sneezing, asthma attack, abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, diarrhea, cardiac arrest[1]
CausesType I hypersensitivity[2]
Risk factorsChildhood in developed countries[3][4]
Diagnostic methodMedical history and physical examination by an approved doctor[2][5]
Differential diagnosisTree nut allergy
PreventionProper early introduction to peanuts and their products during pregnancy and infancy[6][3][7][8]
TreatmentEpinephrine[2]
Antihistamines (mild)[9][10]
Frequency1.4–2% (Europe and the United States)[11]

Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy to peanuts. It is different from tree nut allergies, because peanuts are legumes and not true nuts. Physical symptoms of allergic reaction can include itchiness, hives, swelling, eczema, sneezing, asthma attack, abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, diarrhea, and cardiac arrest.[1] Anaphylaxis may occur.[1] Those with a history of asthma are more likely to be severely affected.[1]

It is due to a type I hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system in susceptible individuals.[2] The allergy is recognized "as one of the most severe food allergies due to its prevalence, persistency, and potential severity of allergic reaction."[1]

Prevention may be partly achieved through early introduction of peanuts to the diets of pregnant women and babies.[8][6] It is recommended that babies at high risk be given peanut products in areas where medical care is available as early as 4 months of age.[12] The principal treatment for anaphylaxis is the injection of epinephrine.[2]

A 2021 study found that prevalence of peanut allergy was 1.4–2% in Europe and the United States, increasing 3.5-fold over the past two decades.[11] Among children in the Western world, rates of peanut allergy are between approximately 1.5% and 3% and have increased over time.[13] It is a common cause of food-related fatal and near-fatal allergic reactions.[14]

  1. ^ a b c d e Loza C, Brostoff J (1995). "Peanut allergy". Clin. Exp. Allergy. 25 (6): 493–502. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.1995.tb01086.x. PMID 7648456. S2CID 21003224.
  2. ^ a b c d e Al-Muhsen S, Clarke AE, Kagan RS (2003). "Peanut allergy: an overview". CMAJ. 168 (10): 1279–1285. PMC 154188. PMID 12743075.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference leap was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Science Magazine was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference J Allergy Clin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Togias A, Cooper SF, Acebal ML, et al. (2017). "Addendum guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy in the United States: Report of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases–sponsored expert panel". Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 139 (1): 29–44. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.10.010. PMC 5226648. PMID 28065278.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference allergist was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b Ierodiakonou D, Garcia-Larsen V, Logan A, et al. (20 September 2016). "Timing of Allergenic Food Introduction to the Infant Diet and Risk of Allergic or Autoimmune Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". JAMA. 316 (11): 1181–1192. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.12623. hdl:10044/1/40479. PMID 27654604.
  9. ^ "Choosing Wisely: Don't rely on antihistamines as firstline treatment in severe allergic reactions". American Academy of Family Physicians. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  10. ^ Fineman, SM (July 2014). "Optimal Treatment of Anaphylaxis: Antihistamines Versus Epinephrine". Postgraduate Medicine. 126 (4): 73–81. doi:10.3810/pgm.2014.07.2785. PMID 25141245. S2CID 25203272.
  11. ^ a b Lange L, et al. (28 September 2021). "White paper on peanut allergy – part 1: Epidemiology, burden of disease, health economic aspects". Allergo J Int. 30 (8): 261–269. doi:10.1007/s40629-021-00189-z. PMC 8477625. PMID 34603938.
  12. ^ Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW (2019). "The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Hydrolyzed Formulas, and Timing of Introduction of Allergenic Complementary Foods". Pediatrics. 143 (4): e20190281. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-0281. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 30886111.
  13. ^ Chen M, Welch M, Laubach S (March 2018). "Preventing Peanut Allergy". Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology. 31 (1): 2–8. doi:10.1089/ped.2017.0826. PMC 5867507. PMID 29588872.
  14. ^ "Allergy Facts and Figures". Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.

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