Are You Suffering From a Peanut Allergy?
Peanut allergies affect many adults and children throughout the country. Symptoms can be mild or severe. The allergic person may experience symptoms immediately, or they can take minutes or sometimes hours to appear. The potential danger of a peanut allergy means it is crucial to seek help from an experienced allergist. A visit to our clinic in Atlanta or one of our other Georgia locations is an important first step in dealing with a peanut allergy via oral immunotherapy treatment.
What Is a Peanut Allergy?
A peanut allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies peanut proteins as being harmful. The body releases chemicals to counteract the danger, which leads to an allergic reaction. While allergies can be caused by many food types, peanuts are a common cause of a negative reaction.
Symptoms of a Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergy symptoms range widely in their severity. In some cases, it takes only a small amount of the problem food to cause a serious reaction. Children can be susceptible to peanut allergies, and symptoms can even become worse over time. Identifying a reaction early is a signal to speak to a doctor to determine the best course of action. The following symptoms can be signs of a peanut allergy.
- Skin redness and swelling
- Tingling sensation in the mouth or throat
- Stomach aches and pains
- Dizziness
- Facial swelling
- Trouble breathing
- Anaphylaxis
Note that anaphylaxis has multiple signs that you may not see as an allergic reaction, including slurred speech, anxiety, and low blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate assistance.
Peanut Allergy Treatments
While there is no cure for a peanut allergy, you can take some important steps to overcome any serious issues.
Avoidance
Avoidance involves monitoring your food intake to ensure you don’t consume anything containing peanuts. However, many products contain traces of peanuts, and that can be enough to bring on a reaction. You will find traces of peanuts in some cereals, candy, bread and pastries, along with peanut butter and even peanut oil. Make sure to check the ingredients lists on foods you consume.
Elimination Diet
An elimination diet involves removing the problematic food from your diet before reintroducing it after a period of weeks. This process must be supervised by your doctor and should not be conducted without guidance. This approach can work for various food allergies.
Oral Immunotherapy
This treatment is a process of desensitization. Peanut solutions are carefully administered by your doctor to get your immune system used to the substance. After an initial build-up day, you can take doses at home. After consultations with your doctor, the dosage levels are gradually increased. Successful oral immunotherapy treatment can reduce the risks of consuming peanuts and may allow you to add the food back into your diet.
Get Expert Help for a Peanut Allergy
Are you concerned about a peanut allergy? It’s time to take action. Chacko Food Allergy Treatment Center is here to help you from one of our clinics in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth and Johns Creek. Call us today at 678-668-4688.
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