Peanut Allergy: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Peanut allergy is among the most common and dangerous food allergies, an immune-system reaction in which the body mistakenly treats peanut proteins as a threat, releasing an allergic response that may range from mild to very severe.

What makes this type particularly concerning is that it is among the leading causes of life-threatening anaphylaxis, which may occur with very small amounts and sometimes just from contact or inhaling dust in severe cases. Peanuts are also present in many processed foods overtly or hidden, increasing the risk of accidental exposure. Peanuts (a legume) differ from tree nuts, but some affected people are allergic to both.

Symptoms usually appear within minutes of exposure and include rash, itching, swelling of the lips and face, and digestive and respiratory symptoms, and in severe cases a drop in blood pressure and breathing difficulty requiring an immediate adrenaline injection and a call to emergency services. Unlike milk and egg allergy, peanut allergy often persists for life and is not outgrown by most children. The cornerstone of management is therefore strict avoidance and careful food-label reading, always carrying an adrenaline auto-injector, having a written emergency plan, and following up with an allergist who, in selected cases, may discuss modern options such as oral immunotherapy under close supervision.

• Rash, itching, and swelling of the lips and face.
• Digestive symptoms: nausea, vomiting, cramps.
• Runny nose, wheezing, and cough.
• Anaphylaxis (severe): breathing difficulty, throat swelling, low blood pressure, dizziness — an emergency.

• An immune reaction to peanut proteins.
• A genetic predisposition to allergy (family history).
• Having other allergies or eczema raises the likelihood.

• Clinical assessment, reaction history, and its relation to peanuts.
• Allergy tests (skin-prick or IgE test).
• An oral food challenge under close medical supervision when needed.

Strict avoidance

• Completely avoiding peanuts and their products and reading food labels carefully.
• Watching for cross-contamination in restaurants and at home.

Handling a reaction

• Always carrying an adrenaline auto-injector and using it immediately for anaphylaxis, then calling emergency services.
• A written emergency plan and educating the patient, family, and school.

Specialized options

• Oral immunotherapy in selected cases under an allergist's supervision.

This content is educational and does not replace consulting an allergist.

• Life-threatening anaphylaxis.
• Accidental exposure due to hidden peanuts in foods.
• Anxiety and impact on social and dietary quality of life.

• Strict avoidance, reading labels, and informing restaurants.
• Always carrying an adrenaline auto-injector and an emergency plan.
• Educating those around, and discussing with the doctor early peanut introduction for at-risk infants per guidelines.