How to Manage Peanut Allergies for All Ages

On a global scale, peanut allergies are estimated to affect 3% of all children 12 months old and younger. By four years of age, that number drops to a little less than 2%.

Some children with milder symptoms will outgrow this food allergy as they get older. However, others are affected more severely, experiencing life-threatening reactions throughout adulthood.

Thankfully, there are more resources than ever before designed to help those suffering from peanut allergies stay safe and healthy. Today, we're diving into a few of the top ways to manage this condition, no matter how old you are.

Ready to learn more? Let's get started.

What Are Peanut Allergies?

Before we dive into how to proactively manage them, let's briefly review what a peanut allergy entails.

In short, this condition arises when someone's immune system has an abnormal, hypersensitive response to a particular peanut protein. One of the most common types of food allergies in both children and adults, its symptoms and signs can vary in severity.

Mild reactions include:

• Skin redness
• Topical hives or rashes
• Skin itching
• Tingling in the mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Swelling in the lips, face or eyes

Serious or life-threatening reactions can include:

• Dizziness
• Tongue swelling
• Throat swelling/tightening
• Fainting
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Wheezing
• Difficulty talking
• Dyspnea or shortness of breath
• Increased heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Diarrhea

In the most serious scenarios, direct or indirect exposure to peanut proteins can cause anaphylaxis or death. It's important to note that the rate of peanut allergies is higher in individuals who also have other allergic conditions. It also increases when there are other family members who suffer from similar allergies.

Treating Peanut Allergies: The Importance of Avoidance

Currently, there is no treatment or cure for peanut allergies. Rather, individuals who have them must always be on their guard to stay away from any products that might have come into contact with peanuts at any time.

In recent years, there has been much research focused on the areas of oral immunotherapy, or gradual desensitization, as potential tools to help avoid peanut allergies in children.

The foundation of this theory is that by slowly introducing allergic or at-risk children to foods containing peanuts, the child will become less sensitive to future exposure. While this might be a viable route in the future, it is not yet FDA-approved.

Thus, avoidance is key.

The only issue?

While sufferers know not to grab a handful of peanuts from a jar, it isn't always that easy or that obvious. Peanuts can be in a range of surprising food items, from egg rolls to soups. Thus, it comes as no surprise that there is a high rate of accidental ingestion, even when those with the condition seek to be as diligent as possible.

In addition to reading labels at the grocery store and requesting additional information on menu items, those with peanut allergies have to be extra cautious in any public food situation. Sharing food, eating from a buffet, or simply being in the presence of peanuts could be enough to trigger an adverse reaction.

Emergency Preparedness and Prompt Treatment

Another part of managing a peanut allergy is knowing the exact steps to take immediately following exposure or ingestion. In most cases, the individual will require a swift injection of epinephrine at their thigh to help reverse the reaction.

For this reason, most people with serious allergies of any kind carry an epinephrine autoinjector. This injector consists of a syringe and concealed needle designed to administer a single dose of medication. An emergency injection is often followed by a trip to the emergency room for further observation if required.

Do you or someone you know carry an autoinjector? If so, there are a few best practices to help you make the most of this tool. They include:

• Keeping it accessible at all times
• Replacing it before its expiration date
• Keeping a backup, or spare injector handy in case you lose your primary one
• Knowing the right way to operate it
• Knowing when to use it

Your doctor can show you the correct way to use the autoinjector. Keep in mind that the allergic individual shouldn't be the only one around who knows how to use it. Close friends, family members, and co-workers should also be trained in the technique.

Easy, Visible Identification

Another way to stay alert and manage a peanut allergy? Invest in medical jewellery designed to inform others around you about your condition. From a metal bracelet to a silicone wristband, there are many different kinds of accessories that look fashionable but serve an important purpose.

Take our Peanut Allergy Pack, for instance.

This three-pack features one small, one medium and one large-sized medical alert ID silicone bracelet. This way, young children can start with the smallest band and switch it out for a bigger size as they grow.

Why is it important to wear this kind of bracelet?

If an allergic person is ever in a public environment and experiences peanut allergy symptom, the bracelet can let everyone around him or her know what's going on. This type of non-verbal communication is especially important for this particular allergy, as one of the most common signs is a tight or swollen throat, as well as a swollen tongue.

When this happens, airways can narrow and speaking can turn from difficult to impossible in an instant. By pointing to their medical ID bracelet, sufferers can speak volumes without saying a word. You can design the bracelet to simply say "Alert: Peanut Allergy" to get the message across in seconds.

In addition to our three-pack, we also offer the option to purchase an individual peanut allergy bracelet! In addition, you can customize our silicone wristbands to display information on any other similar condition, such as a seafood allergy.

If you have a child with a peanut allergy, you can send them to school wearing their band every day. While many schools will have a nut-free policy in place to prevent exposure, not all do.

Ongoing, Updated Education

As is the case with any medical condition, education is critical.

Unfortunately, while food allergies can be common among families, there are many parents or caretakers who have never dealt with the issue until they're faced with the reality.

That's why it's smart to stay up-to-date on all of the important research, developments, and innovations going on in the field of peanut allergies and food allergies as a whole. We're proud to offer this Kids' Food Allergens for Dummies book that breaks down the topic of food allergies into simple topics ranging from prevention and diagnosis to travel tips and home care.

Clear, Constant Communication

Another way to mitigate the risk of a peanut allergy reaction? Let everyone around you know of your condition or that of your child. Before enrolling your son or daughter into school, make sure to discuss their allergy in great detail with the office staff, teachers, and school nurse.

Ensure that key administrators are trained in how to administer an epinephrine autoinjector, and send a spare one to school to keep on hand. At the same time, talk to your child about ways to avoid contact with peanuts, including ways to identify certain foods that might contain them.

If you're an adult suffering from the allergy, let your colleagues and managers know. This way, you can help ensure that any work environment is as safe as possible for you. It's also smart to store an extra autoinjector in your desk drawer in case of an emergency.

Looking for an engaging and easy read that can help explain food allergies to your friends and family members? The topic can be dense and difficult to understand for someone who doesn't share the same issue. Thai's Guide to Being Food Allergy Smart is an excellent resource, breaking down simple steps to take to help manage food allergies and sensitivities.

Stay Safe and Successfully Manage Your Peanut Allergy

Peanut allergies don't have to define you or your child. Still, they're always top of mind, no matter where you go or who is around.

That's why it's smart to invest in medical ID bracelets that can alert anyone near you of your condition. It's an easy and effective way to stay safe and improve the likelihood of a prompt and successful recovery.

Looking for other accessories that can help keep your medical condition as visible as possible? We'd love to help. We offer a range of products, from active silicone jewellery to stainless steel necklaces, just waiting for you to add your personalized touch.

Contact us to learn more and rest easy knowing that your voice will always be heard.