Symptoms | The peanut allergy

Symptoms

The peanut is one of the most allergenic substances, which means that only small amounts often cause a very strong allergic reaction. The symptoms typically occur immediately after consumption of peanuts or peanut-containing products. The symptoms can range from a furry tongue, burning, itching and skin rash to life-threatening allergic shock with complete swelling of the airways and unstable circulation.

Severe peanut allergies usually not only affect the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, where there is direct contact with the peanuts. There is also a systemic reaction of the whole body to the peanuts. The contact puts the body’s immune system on absolute alert.

The blood vessels are dilated by the body, so that produced defense substances can quickly reach everywhere. Among other things, this causes immune cells to be washed into the skin, where the triggered immune response shows itself in the form of a skin rash. This is usually strongest near the point of contact with the peanuts, i.e. on the face.

The itching, which is a symptom of peanut allergy, can manifest itself in different ways. Those who have only a slight reaction to peanuts may feel a slight itching in the mouth and throat area where direct contact with the peanuts has taken place. Strong allergic reactions are characterized by a defensive reaction of the entire body. This involves immune cells (which can cause the itching) being washed away to several parts of the body. The itching is usually particularly strong near the point of contact with the peanuts.

Therapy

The therapy of a peanut allergy consists of different components. The most important of these is the withdrawal of the allergy-causing substance. Therefore, the consumption of peanuts or peanut-containing products should be avoided absolutely.

This way an allergic reaction can be avoided.In the case that contact with the allergen has nevertheless occurred, the therapy depends on how strong the reaction of the immune system is. Slight reactions consisting of itching, burning and rash can usually be waited for. Possible drugs used in such situations are so-called antihistamines.

They counteract histamine, which is the messenger substance for the allergic reaction. In more severe reactions, the emergency use of the so-called epi-pen is often necessary. This contains the active ingredient epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and can be injected directly into the thigh muscle in the event of a severe allergic reaction.

The pen is easy to operate and can be used by affected persons within seconds, even in an emergency. In addition, massive shortness of breath often occurs due to swelling of the airways and throat. In contrast, there are bronchodilator drugs, i.e. substances that dilate the airways.

Expanding measures such as a temporary oxygen supply are also helpful. Such an allergic shock is a life-threatening emergency, so an ambulance must be called immediately to administer the necessary medication. For more severe reactions, the emergency use of the so-called epi-pen is often necessary.

This contains the active ingredient epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and can be injected directly into the thigh muscle in the event of a severe allergic reaction. The pen is easy to operate and can be used by affected persons within seconds, even in an emergency. In addition, massive shortness of breath often occurs due to swelling of the airways and throat.

In contrast, there are bronchodilator drugs, i.e. substances that dilate the airways. Expanding measures such as a temporary oxygen supply are also helpful. Such an allergic shock is a life-threatening emergency, so an ambulance must be called immediately to administer the necessary medication.

A peanut allergy can trigger an allergic (also anaphylactic) shock in some affected people. This extremely strong reaction is rare, but can be life-threatening. An allergic shock can be seen as a reaction of various bodily functions to the consumption of peanuts.

These include a strong contraction of the smallest airways, which leads to pronounced respiratory distress, and the cardiovascular system is also strongly affected. The combination of symptoms can be fatal within a few minutes. Hyposensitization is used in many allergies to reduce the allergic reaction to certain substances.

In most cases, minimal amounts of the allergen are administered at approximately one-month intervals over months to years. The quantity is large enough for the body to react to it. At the same time the amount of the allergen is too small to trigger a strong allergic reaction.

Over time, the dose is increased further and further, so that the body gets used to ever larger quantities of the allergen. However, such desensitization is often particularly difficult with food allergies. For peanut allergy, desensitization is therefore not part of the usual therapeutic measures.