The Nature of Peanut Allergies

Allergy to peanuts normally starts in childhood and cause severe reactions to even so much as touching a peanut. Most people with peanut allergies can tolerate other types of nuts but it is still safe to avoid all buts altogether. Be extra careful when buying products that may contain nuts or peanuts as ingredients.

Peanut allergy usually starts all throughout your life. It affects about 2% of the population. It is the most common cause of death due to food allergies. Reactions of the body are extremely violent and life threatening with just a little exposure to the allergen. In addition, this type of allergy is associated with other non-legume allergies (tree nuts and some seeds for example).

As with most allergies, prevention is the key. Avoid the allergen at all cost if you are allergic to it. To be on the safe side, always read the labels for foods, cosmetics, medicines, creams, and ointments that may contain any type of nuts or peanut. If you have even a minor reaction after eating peanuts before, you better not try it again. A second round may be deadly for you. Seek medical help so proper tests can be done to diagnose the allergy.