PEANUT ALLERGIES

• Itchy skin or hives, which can appear as small spots or large welts
• An itching or tingling sensation in or around the mouth or throat
• Nausea
• A runny or congested nose
• Anaphylaxis (less common), a potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. He may:

• Ask you to keep a food diary of your eating habits, symptoms and medications to pinpoint the problem.
• Perform a skin test to determine your reaction to a particular food.
• Ask you to go on an “elimination diet” in which you temporarily stop eating suspect foods for a week or two and then add the food items back into your diet one at a time.

TREATMENT

Once you are diagnosed with peanut allergy, the best treatment is to avoid peanuts and peanut-containing products. Mild allergic reactions may be treated with antihistamines to reduce signs and symptoms.

However, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) will require an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) in the hospital.