Peanut allergy
2834063
225909413
2008-07-15T23:39:27Z
Rjwilmsi
203434
gen fixes + link/fix date fields in cite templates (explanation [[User:Rjwilmsi#My_correction_of_citation_templates|here]]) using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]]
{{Infobox_Disease
| Name = Peanut allergy
| Image =
| Caption =
| DiseasesDB = 29154
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|T|78|4|t|66}}
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|V15.01}}
| ICDO =
| OMIM =
| MedlinePlus =
| eMedicineSubj =
| eMedicineTopic =
| MeshID =
}}
'''Peanut allergy''' is a type of [[food allergy]], distinct from [[Nut allergy|nut allergies]]. It is a hypersensitivity to [[diet (nutrition)|diet]]ary substances from [[peanut]]s causing an overreaction of the immune system which may lead to severe physical symptoms for millions of people<ref> National Institutes of Health, NIAID Allergy Statistics 2005 http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/allergystat.htm</ref>. The [[Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America]] estimates that peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-related death.<ref> “Allergy Facts and Figures,” Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=517</ref>. Prevalence among adults and children is similar — around 1% — but at least one study shows it to be on the rise in children.<ref> 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</ref> 25% of children with a peanut allergy outgrow it.<ref> 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/</ref> It is usually treated with an exclusion [[Dieting|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]]<ref> 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</ref>, an emergency situation requiring immediate attention and treatment with [[epinephrine]].
==Symptoms==
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 can include the following:<ref name="British Dietetic Association">The British Dietetic Association. Peanut Allergy Information for Dietitians. 1999 http://www.bda.uk.com/Downloads/peanutallergy.pdf</ref>
* [[vomiting]]
* [[diarrhea]]
* [[urticaria]] (hives)
* [[angioedema]] (swelling of the lips, face, throat and skin)
* acute [[abdominal pain]]
* exacerbation of [[atopic]] [[eczema]]
* [[asthma]]
* [[anaphylaxis|anaphylactic shock]]
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."<ref name="British Dietetic Association">The British Dietetic Association. Peanut Allergy Information for Dietitians. 1999 http://www.bda.uk.com/Downloads/peanutallergy.pdf</ref>
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.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-72561487.html highbeam.com]</ref>
==Treatments==
Food allergy experts at the Duke University Medical Center believe that an immunotherapy treatment for peanut allergies will be available to affected people within 5 years. <ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080502/hl_nm/peanut_allergy_dc;_ylt=AkzzviAdeBdQWEis7EL2Q7Ks0NUE Expert sees peanut allergy solution within 5 years - Yahoo! News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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 the parents of affected children and adults living with the allergy. The condition is actually becoming more common affecting about 1% of children in total. The number of affected people doubled between 1997 and 2002.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080502/hl_nm/peanut_allergy_dc;_ylt=AkzzviAdeBdQWEis7EL2Q7Ks0NUE Expert sees peanut allergy solution within 5 years - Yahoo! News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Deaths from peanut allergy ==
Approximately 125 people die in the United States each year from food allergies.<ref>{{cite |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10436387&dopt=Abstract |title=Peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10436387&dopt=Abstract |date=07-1999 |accessdate=2007-07-13 |author=Burks |publisher=Int Arch Allergy Immunol}}</ref><ref>{{cite |url=http://www.allerg.qc.ca/peanutallergy.htm |title=Peanut allergy: where do we stand? http://www.allerg.qc.ca/peanutallergy.htm |author=John Weisnagel |publisher=Association of Allergists and Immunologists of Quebec |accessdate=2007-07-13 |date=2007-05-27}}</ref> It was reported on Leanord Lopate Show that the CDC figures for food allergy deaths in 2007 were in a much lower range (12-20)<ref>{{cite|url=http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/episodes/2008/01/31/segments/92825|author= wnyc.org}}</ref>
The dangers of peanut allergy are real, even if sometimes misrepresented in the popular press. 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 from such seemingly mundane matters as peanut butter and [[jam]] sandwiches at schools or peanut shells on the floors of restaurants.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2006/01/05/newsNuttyKillerPeanutPolic.html |title=Nutty killer: Peanut policy perplexes parents |date=2006-01-05 |accessdate=2006-12-13 |publisher=[[Hook weekly]]}}</ref> According to a coroner's statement in March 2006 however, 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.[http://www.medpagetoday.com/AllergyImmunology/2005AAAAIMeeting/tb/2803]
Peanuts are the most common source of fatal allergic reactions.
Reports of death from peanut allergy include:
* Daniel Sargent (age 30) died of anaphylaxis from eating a cookie that had peanut butter in it at a party in July 2008. <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080704/NEWS01/546172117/0/SPORTS |title=Man's death a stark reminder of food allergy risks |date=2008-07-04 |publisher=Everett, Washington Herald}}</ref>
== Allergen-Free Peanuts ==
On July 20, 2007, the North Carolina Agricultural & 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.<ref>North Carolina A & T State University Press Release, July 23, 2007</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Allergy]]
* [[Nut allergy]]
* [[Anaphylaxis]]
* [[Food allergy]]
* [[Asthma]]
==External links==
{{external links}}
* [http://www.aafa.org Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America]
* [http://www.nih.gov The National Institutes of Health]
* [http://www.foodallergy.org The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network]
* [http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=15618 medicinenet.com]
* [http://www.allerg.qc.ca/peanutallergy.htm Peanut allergy: where do we stand? John Weisnagel, M.D.]
* [http://www.alert4allergy.org alert4allergy.org - a free service for people in Britain with food allergy.]
* [http://www.peanutallergyuk.co.uk A discussion forum for UK peanut allergy sufferers]
* [http://www.leapstudy.co.uk The Leap Study - an NHS study into links between eczema and peanut allergy]
* [http://allergy.hyperboards.com/index.php Peanut Allergy public discussion forums and support group]
* [http://www.killerpeanut.com Instant and Free Peanut Allergy Translations for food preparers, medical staff and custom officials]
* [http://www.ncat.edu/press_releases/disp_release.php?ID=3132 N.C. A&T food scientist develops process for allergen-free peanuts]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Allergology]]
[[Category:Food allergies]]