CNN reports that even a small amount of peanuts can cause a highly allergic person to have a severe reaction. Some of the symptoms of a peanut allergy reaction include hives, itching around the throat and mouth, stomach issues, chest tightening, sinus reactions, and shortness of breath. Peanuts can also cause anaphylaxis, a sudden and very dangerous reaction that causes a person’s blood pressure to drop and airways to swell. If you experience any sort of allergic reaction to peanuts, it’s best to seek medical attention immediately. Unfortunately, you can develop a peanut allergy at any time in your life. If you’ve recently developed a peanut reaction, you’ll have to take special dietary precautions to prevent future allergic difficulties.
Foods to Avoid
Unfortunately, many foods contain peanuts. So, you’ll have to be vigilant about what you eat. Some foods you should avoid that contain peanuts include:
- Foods that contain peanut oil
- Ground nuts
- Peanut butter
- Peanut flour
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether or not a dish at a restaurant or food you’ve bought at the store contains peanuts. Additionally, those delicious baked cookies your grandma sent you may have a dollop of peanut butter in them. To avoid a reaction to peanut butter or another food product that contains peanuts, it’s best to ask about the ingredients of anything before you eat it. Additionally, it’s best to check the ingredients list of food products before you buy them at the store. You may want to avoid the following types of food, which often contain peanuts:
- Chinese and Thai food
- Candy bars
- Baked goods
- Chili
- Ice cream
- Homemade granola
If you have a peanut allergy or other serious food allergy, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, always do some investigating before you eat, and try to avoid the foods listed above.
Source:
- “Peanut allergy,” CNN Health
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