Peanut allergies are one of the leading causes of severe allergic reactions. And while a peanut allergy treatment can significantly reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, many people in Atlanta have never actually received a professional diagnosis. If you identify any allergy symptoms, getting tested for food allergies is essential. But just how effective are peanut allergy treatments, and can they prevent anaphylaxis?
Will a Peanut Allergy Treatment Cure Severe Reactions?
Sadly, there are no existing cures for peanut allergies that offer 100% effectiveness for all patients. However, several treatment approaches substantially reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, and even prevent the mildest reactions. The most successful of these remedies is called oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT).
Oral immunotherapy treatment for peanut allergies is a desensitization process. It retrains the immune system’s response to allergens. In the case of a peanut allergy, a person would be given slowly increasing levels of peanut protein (or peanuts themselves). Using these controlled doses your allergist can identify how much of the allergen you can safely consume before a reaction is induced.
From the initial dose escalation through the buildup phase to reaching a maintenance dose can take from around six months to one year. After treatment, patients are often required to continue eating peanuts to maintain their tolerance levels. For a person who faces the threat of anaphylaxis, OIT will prevent severe reactions and offer improved quality of life.
Why Is a Peanut Allergy Treatment so Important?
Peanut allergy treatment provides relief to adults and children who suffer from life-threatening allergies. Anyone who has experienced a swollen mouth and tongue, a rapid heartbeat, nausea and/or severe breathing difficulties after eating peanuts will almost certainly face anxiety over their food choices.
With the threat of exposure to even dust from peanuts (or cooking aromas) potentially causing a severe reaction, OIT can significantly improve a person’s diet and overall health. And with the AJMC reporting that peanuts were the allergen responsible for 37% of food allergy anaphylaxis cases, it’s important to make allergy treatment a priority.
Additional Steps to Prevent Severe Peanut Allergy Reactions
Along with following the oral immunotherapy treatment program, individuals can take some additional steps to stay safe.
- Schedule food allergy testing for your child to see if they have outgrown their peanut allergy.
- Carry an epinephrine auto-injector medical kit in case of a severe allergic reaction.
- Make schools and other parents aware of your child’s allergy and dietary requirements.
- Speak to your allergist about an alternative peanut allergy remedy, such as antihistamines.
- Be mindful of cross-reactive symptoms from other allergens and let your allergist know.
Contact Us for Peanut Allergy Treatments in the Atlanta Area
If you suffer allergic reactions after eating peanuts, arrange a consultation with Chacko Food Allergy Treatment Center today. We provide peanut allergy diagnostic services and treatment at our allergy centers in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth and Johns Creek. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment now.
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