Peanut Allergies

Learning how to cope with potentially life threatening peanut allergies in children is a challenging task whether you are a parent, caregiver, or another professional that works directly with kids.

It has been estimated that approximately one and a half million individuals ranging from young children to older adults suffer from allergies associated with peanuts in the United States alone.

Given this staggering statistic, it is essential that we all learn what an allergy to peanuts is like, and the symptoms associated with the reaction that is experienced by those that suffer from it so that we may know how to react and cope.

There is a special protein that is contained within peanuts. When children have a peanut allergy, their immune system recognizes this protein as a foreign substance or as an invader. The reaction from the body's natural defenses is extremely aggressive.

There are a group of cells within the body that are known as “Mast Cells” that actually release a chemical that is intended to eliminate the protein that it detects. This chemical is known as “Histamine”.

As this releases into the body's circulatory system and moves from one location to another, many uncomfortable symptoms are experienced. The symptoms are physiological in nature, and include the following:

• The blood vessels start to dilate which results in an extreme drop in the pressure of the blood.
  
  
• Fluid is released in the areas of the mouth and the nose. As a result, swallowing is extremely restricted and the ability to breath easily may become disrupted.
  
  
• Fluid in the skin is immediately released and moderate to severe hives may occur.
  
  
• The oxygen levels within the body are decreased in a dramatic manner due to the airways becoming constricted.

If you start to observe changes in a child once they have ingested peanuts, it is important to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Typically, individuals in the medical field will inject a substance that is known as “Adrenaline” into the bloodstream of the child.

In many cases of an allergic reaction involving peanuts, a child may experience another episode of symptoms even after receiving the life saving injection.