Featured Article : Allergic Reactions to Peanuts can be Life-threatening Peanuts are nuts people all over the world love eating. Though predominantly used in the manufacture of peanut butter, peanuts are today one of the most allergenic foods available. They are today found in lots of food products directly or indirectly. Food labels labeled with 'hydrolyzed vegetable protein' or 'groundnuts' usually contain peanuts which can prove to be life threatening to those having allergic reactions to peanuts. Sensitive people suffering from allergic reactions to peanuts should understand that this is a lifelong allergy where even small trace amounts of peanuts are sufficient to kill. Many sensitive people suffer from anaphylactic shock reaction which starts and proceeds rapidly in the body. It proves to become fatal in a matter of minutes and should be treated with epinephrine at the first signs of the reaction. The most common and possible allergic reactions to peanuts include tightness in the mouth, chest or throat, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, pallor, loss of consciousness, coma, death or a sense of foreboding, fear or apprehension. Others also experience difficulty in breathing, drooling, swallowing, choking, coughing, dizziness, sudden fatigue, rapid heartbeat, chills and flushed face, swollen or itchy lips, eyes, mouth or tongue. Many a times, allergic reactions to peanuts in an individual arises because of the failure of institutions in labeling their food and packages clearly. Sometimes peanuts are altered and sold as walnuts, pecans or almonds while it is not advisable to have peanut products in the home or school lunchroom of peanut sensitive people. This is because the mere sharing of foods or utensils or the tasting of food to check if it contains peanut is sufficient to trigger allergic reactions to peanuts in a person. [Home]