Question

Section 4: Treatment

Describe the methods of treatment (including ways to avoid the triggers) for the peanut allergy . Your description should include (If they exist):

1. Medicines or medical therapies that help reduce or eliminate symptoms; include a description of how each treatment reduces or counteracts the reactions described in the previous sections.
2. Food alternatives that avoid using the trigger ingredient(s); What do they use as alternatives?

Answer 1

What is peanut allergy?

Peanut allergy occurs when our immune system become hypersesitive to peanuts. They are very common among all age groups. It is the major cause of food related allergy deaths and anaphalaxis. One third of people having peanut allergy also has tree nut allergy too.

Symptoms:
Symptoms appears within 20 minutes.

•Peanut allergy symptoms and signs include

•skin redness.
•Itching
•Rashes
•Shortness of breath.
•Running nose

Severe symptomes includes;
•Wheezing
•Dyspnea
•Cough
•Nausea and vomiting
•Diarrhea
•Low blood pressure.
•Increased heart rate.
•Dizziness
•Fainting
•Behavioral changes

Treatment methods:

THERE IS NO CURE FOR PEANUT ALLERGY. THEY ARE SUCH A LETHAL ALLERGY. So preventive measures can be taken.

• Stop eating peanuts.It is the most easy and effective way.

•Avoid inhalation of peanut scraps.

• Avoid physical contact with peanuts to body parts and peanut having environments like bakery.

• Epinephrine: Epinephrine injection is the only effected method to control the hyper reaction. The person having allergy should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (Auvi-Q, Epipen, Twinject) at all time.Epinephrine helps in muscle relaxation aroubd lungs, thus airways become open. Finally, it prevents the release of additional allergic chemicals, which aids in stopping further progression of the reaction.

• Antihistamines: Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may also be used in the management of acute allergic reactions.

• Palforzia: New and common drug for food allergies. It is the first approved drug for peanut allergy. It has three stages- Initial dose escalation, up-dosing and maintenance. The single day escalation,11 month- monthwise updosing and daily maintenance doses helps to get reduction in peanut allergy.

ALTERNATIVES FOR PEANUTS USED IN FOODS

• Seeds - Roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds - granola bars, breads and butter products.

• Beans - Soy beans, peas or chickpeas.

• Pretzels- They are used in chicken coatings and pie crusts.

• Chickpeas- Hummus can be made using chickpeas instead of peanut.

• Coconut- coconut can be used in coconut butter.

• Sesame seed- Can be used in preparing tahini.