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As per statistics, almost 0.6% of the world population is susceptible to peanut allergy. This is different from other nut allergies. Apart from other dietary repercussions, studies show that it can lead to death. The reactionary time of allergy caused by peanuts is rapid and can quickly lead to a situation of anaphylaxis. Some of the major and frequent symptoms of this allergy are sneezing, heart burn, skin rashes, paleness, feeling warm, vomiting, asthma attacks, swelling of facial parts, and pain in abdomen. The anaphylaxis shock can lead to an increase in the allergic reaction, which leads to swelling, collapse, heart failure and ultimately death or coma.

Those who have seen the movie ‘The Game Plan’, starring Dwayne Johnson, will recall a scene when the protagonist’s daughter eats peanut and has to be rushed to hospital. That is what happens to a person having peanut reaction! In medical language, it is an “abnormal reaction” to the proteins present in the nuts wherein the body acknowledges it as an immunological threat and produces histamines, a chemical, to fight the peanuts. In comparison to adults, young children are more vulnerable to peanut allergy.

Unfortunately, science has not been able to discover peanut allergy cure till date. The basic precaution one can take is to absolutely avoid intake of raw peanut and its various processed items. Carefully check the contents of processed foods for any peanut content. One has to be especially careful with children since one cannot take chances seeing the severity or life threatening consequences. Doctors usually recommend use of epinephrine injection to control the reaction of blood vessels and relax the muscles. People with peanut allergy usually carry injection kits for emergencies. For some of us, peanut are too tempting. If you have read the above carefully, stay away from peanut if you exhibit symptoms of peanut allergy.