Peanut Allergy

Definition

A peanut allergy is a type of food allergy where the immune system mistakenly identifies peanuts as harmful, triggering allergic reactions.

Scientific / Technical Definition

A peanut allergy is an immunological hypersensitivity reaction to proteins found in peanuts, leading to varying levels of allergic symptoms ranging from mild skin reactions to severe anaphylaxis. It involves the activation of the immune system's IgE antibodies when exposed to peanut antigens.

Benefits

Examples

• Peanut butter
• Whole peanuts
• Foods containing peanut oil or peanut flour

Additional Information

• side effects: Potential side effects of a peanut allergy include skin reactions such as hives or eczema, digestive problems, respiratory issues, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock.

Related Terms

• Food Allergy
• Tree Nut Allergy
• Anaphylaxis
• Cross-reactivity
• Histamine

References

• Peanut Allergy - Overview
• Understanding Peanut Allergy