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==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
[[File:http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/vultic/?action=view&current=111111.jpg]]

Symptoms of peanut allergy are related to the action of Immunoglobulin E ([[IgE]]) and other [[anaphylatoxin]]s, which act to release [[histamine]] and other mediator substances from [[mast cell]]s (degranulation). In addition to other effects, histamine induces [[vasodilation]] of [[arterioles]] and constriction of [[bronchioles]] in the lungs, also known as [[bronchospasm]] (constriction of the airways).
Symptoms of peanut allergy are related to the action of Immunoglobulin E ([[IgE]]) and other [[anaphylatoxin]]s, which act to release [[histamine]] and other mediator substances from [[mast cell]]s (degranulation). In addition to other effects, histamine induces [[vasodilation]] of [[arterioles]] and constriction of [[bronchioles]] in the lungs, also known as [[bronchospasm]] (constriction of the airways).


Revision as of 03:54, 16 February 2009

Peanut allergy
SpecialtyEmergency medicine, allergology Edit this on Wikidata
Peanut allergy warning

Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy distinct from nut allergies. It is a hypersensitivity to dietary substances from peanuts causing an overreaction of the immune system which may lead to severe physical symptoms for millions of people[1].[clarification needed] The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-related death.[2] However, deaths from food allergies are relatively rare, with an estimated one death per 830,000 children with food allergy each year, leading at least one authority to conclude that the danger has been greatly exaggerated via media sensationalism.[3]Prevalence among adults and children is similar — around 1% — but at least one study shows it to be on the rise in children in the United States.[4] 25% of children with a peanut allergy outgrow it.[5] It is usually treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may be contaminated with whole peanuts or peanut particles and/or oils. The most severe peanut allergies can result in anaphylaxis[6], an emergency situation requiring immediate attention and treatment with epinephrine.

Symptoms

File:Http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v234/vultic/?action=view&current=111111.jpg

Symptoms of peanut allergy are related to the action of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and other anaphylatoxins, which act to release histamine and other mediator substances from mast cells (degranulation). In addition to other effects, histamine induces vasodilation of arterioles and constriction of bronchioles in the lungs, also known as bronchospasm (constriction of the airways).

Symptoms can include the following:[7]

The British Dietetic Association warns that: "If untreated, anaphylactic shock can result in death due to obstruction of the upper or lower airway (bronchospasm) or hypotension and heart failure. This happens within minutes to hours of eating the peanuts. The first symptoms may include sneezing and a tingling sensation on the lips, tongue and throat followed by pallor, feeling unwell, warm and light headed. Severe reactions may return after an apparent resolution of 1-6 hours. Asthmatics with peanut sensitivity are more likely to develop life threatening reactions."[7]

While several companies have developed promising drugs to counteract peanut allergies, trials have been mired in legal battles.[8]

One study has shown that peanut allergies are also dependent on race, in particular, Native Americans are less prone to be allergic to peanuts.[9]

Treatments

See Anaphylaxis for the emergency treatment of an acute allergic reaction.

Currently there is no treatment to prevent or cure allergic reactions to peanuts.[10] Strict avoidance of peanuts is the only way to avoid an allergic reaction. Children and adults are advised to carry epinephrine injectors to treat anaphylaxis.

In May 2008 food allergy experts at the Duke University Medical Center stated that they expected an immunotherapy treatment for peanut allergies to be available to affected people within five years.[10] Immunotherapy would be used to treat a person's immune response to peanuts from an allergic reaction to a nonallergic response. This is great news for children and adults living with the allergy. The condition is becoming more common affecting about 1% of children in total. The number of affected people doubled between 1997 and 2002.[10]

Oral Desensitization

A desensitization study at Duke University was done with escalating doses of peanut protein. Eight children with known peanut allergy were given escalating doses of peanut protein in the form of a flour mixed into applesauce or other food. The treatment included three phases: one day in the medical center, with increasing doses given throughout the day; a home phase lasting three or four months that involved daily, escalating doses; and a home maintenance phase in which the daily dose was 300 milligrams, about the equivalent of one peanut. The maintenance phase lasted up to 18 months, depending on how much peanut protein the child tolerated. Seven children completed the study. These children were given a "food challenge" to peanut flour, exposing them to up to nearly 8 grams, or the equivalent of more than 13 peanuts. Most of the children tolerated the equivalent of 13 peanuts at the food challenge at the end of the study.[11]

Deaths from peanut allergy

Fifty-four percent of fatal food allergic reactions reported in the United States from 2001-2006 were from peanuts. [citation needed][12]

The 2005 death of Christina Desforges, which was initially reported as a result of exposure to peanuts, spurred many parents to speak out about the dangers of peanut butter and jam sandwiches at schools or peanut shells on the floors of restaurants.[13] However, according to a coroner's statement in March 2006, Ms. Desforges did not die of anaphylactic shock caused by a kiss from her boyfriend after he ate a peanut butter snack, but in fact died as a result of asthma-linked respiratory failure, which was triggered by tobacco smoke at a party. Research by Jennifer Maloney suggests that peanut allergens normally leave the saliva after about an hour.[14]

Allergen-Free Peanuts

On July 20, 2007, the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University announced that one of its scientists, Dr. Mohamed Ahmedna, had developed a process to make allergen-free peanuts. Initial testing showed a 100 percent inactivation of peanut allergens in whole roasted kernels, and human serums from severely allergic individuals showed no reaction when exposed to the processed peanuts. Food companies have expressed an interest in licensing the process, which purportedly does not degrade the taste or quality of treated peanuts, and even results in easier processing to use as an ingredient in food products.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ National Institutes of Health, NIAID Allergy Statistics 2005 http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/allergystat.htm
  2. ^ “Allergy Facts and Figures,” Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=517
  3. ^ http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7566/494#TBL1
  4. ^ Prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergy in the United States determined by means of a random digit dial telephone survey: A 5-year follow-up study http://www.allerg.qc.ca/peanutallergy.htm#pressreldec903
  5. ^ Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and UCL Institute of Child Health, Peanut Allergy - Family Factsheet http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/factsheets/families/F000279/
  6. ^ National Report of the Expert Panel on Food Allergy Research, NIH-NIAID 2003 http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/about/organization/dait/PDF/june30_2003.pdf
  7. ^ a b The British Dietetic Association. Peanut Allergy Information for Dietitians. 1999 http://www.bda.uk.com/Downloads/peanutallergy.pdf
  8. ^ highbeam.com
  9. ^ http://www.allerg.qc.ca/peanutallergy.htm
  10. ^ a b c "Expert sees peanut allergy solution within 5 years". Retrieved 2008-10-30.
  11. ^ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070226/progress-against-peanut-allergies
  12. ^ [Further fatalities caused by anaphylactic reactions to food: 2001 to 2006 - Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/faan/27010
  13. ^ "Nutty killer: Peanut policy perplexes parents". Hook weekly. 2006-01-05. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  14. ^ [1]AAAAI: Peanuts May Be Offending Third Party in Deep Kiss
  15. ^ North Carolina A & T State University Press Release, July 23, 2007
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