Peanut allergy

Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy due to peanuts. It is different from nut allergies. Physical symptoms of allergic reaction can include itchiness, urticaria, swelling, eczema, sneezing, asthma, abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, diarrhea and cardiac arrest.Anaphylaxis may occur.

It is a type one hypersensitivity reaction to dietary substances from peanuts that causes an overreaction of the immune system. It is recognized "as one of the most severe food allergies due to its prevalence, persistency and potential severity of allergic reaction."

In the United States peanut allergies are present in 0.6% of the population. In Western cultures peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-related anaphylaxis death.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of peanut allergy are related to the action of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and other anaphylatoxins, which act to release histamine and other mediator substances from mast cells (degranulation). In addition to other effects, histamine induces vasodilation of arterioles and constriction of bronchioles in the lungs, also known as bronchospasm. At least 11 peanut allergens have been described.