Various Causes of Peanut Allergies
By Aram
Peanut allergy is a hypersensitive state in the body posing an
immunological threat, whereby body triggers excess production of
histamines to fight the allergens released by peanut consumption. The
exact cause of this biological reaction and subsequent allergy is still
unknown and is a subject of further research and study by scientists.
It is believed that the most common cause of the allergy is by directly
consuming the peanuts or any peanut-containing food. Even a slight skin
contact with peanut can lead to allergic reaction if one is sensitive
towards it. Thus, it is direct contact with peanuts either through
contact or ingestion.
Secondly, unintended usage of peanuts or exposure of peanuts in any food
product leads to indirect contact and individuals who are sensitive
towards it might develop severe warning signals.
Again, allergic reaction can get triggered due to environmental factors
such as if you inhale any kind of aerosols or dust containing peanut
cooking spray or peanut flour.
Additionally, it has been said that peanut sensitization can also get
developed during pregnancy and even during breastfeeding. But this
contention has been debated and it has been found that there is a
significant association between consumption of soymilk and peanut
allergy rather than maternal dietary factors.
Accidental consumption of food products such as peanut flour, peanut
butter, peanut containing baked goods, peanut-rich energy bars, grain
breads, salad dressing and nougats can lead to allergic reaction. It
might also be present in indirect form such as in archais oil, chocolate
candies and even in nut butter. Thus, consumption of anything from
peanut oil, canned foodstuffs to baked products can really make the life
of a peanut-sensitive individual a nightmare.
Surprisingly, an allergic reaction might be triggered instantly in the
body of peanut-sensitive individual by eating food from the vessel that
previously had peanuts in it or even through the smell of peanuts.
Cross contacts is also another major cause of peanut allergy. For
example, the company that uses machinery to process peanuts, might use
the same without cleaning for the production of some other processed or
canned foods. In this way, traces of peanuts might get into other foods.
A peanut-allergic patient cannot simply prevent that. |
