Peanut allergy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Peanut allergy**
*Classifications and external resources*
ICD-10	T 78.4
ICD-9	V15.01
DiseasesDB	29154

Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy. 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]. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that the majority of pediatric and adult food allergy patients have a peanut allergy^[2]. It occurs mainly, but not exclusively, in children. 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 allergy reaction is called anaphylaxis^[3] and is an emergency situation requiring immediate attention and treatment with Epinephrine.

The 1995 death of a Canadian girl highlighted the danger and spurred many parents to speak out about the dangers from such seemingly mundane matters as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at schools or peanut shells on the floors of restaurants.^[4]

Some peanut allergy symptoms include: atopic dermatitis (eczema), urticaria (hives), asthma, anaphylactic shock, and various swellings of the digestive tracts.

As with most allergies, avoidance is the key. All labels for foods, medicines, cosmetics, creams, and ointments should be read. A history of allergic reactions after consuming a peanut may suggest an allergy.

While several companies have developed promising drugs to counteract peanut allergies, trials have been mired in legal battles.^[5]