Peanut

Peanut allergies develop as a result of the body’s adverse reaction to a protein in peanuts. While not everyone with a peanut allergy is allergic to other nuts, oftentimes those with peanut allergies also suffer from other nut-related allergies. It is important that you see a peanut allergy specialist doctor in order to determine whether you suffer from any other nut allergies. 

Over 1.1 million people (of all ages) in the United States suffer from symptoms associated with a peanut allergy.

Peanut allergies can range from mild to severe and allergic reactions may emerge as one or more of the following symptoms:

• Tingling of the mouth or throat
• Itchy mouth or throat 
• Widespread rash
• Asthma attack 
• Swelling of the throat
• Choking sensation due to throat swelling
• Anaphylaxis 

While whole peanuts are easily identifiable, peanuts may be present in other foods in the form of the following:

• Ground-up nuts
• Flaked nuts
• Nougat 
• Praline
• Chocolate 
• Nut Paste 

Testing

Our top of the line team of board certified immunologists offers a variety of peanut allergen diagnostic tests:

• Skin Prick Test: During this quick, easy, and virtually pain free test one of our allergy specialist doctors marks your arm in pen with an assortment of numbers that correspond to the sample allergen. A drop of each peanut allergen is carefully placed next to its assigned number and a lancet is used to painlessly place the allergen just under the top layer of the patient’s skin. After 10-15 minutes, the skin is evaluated by one of our top rated allergy specialist doctors for any inflammation or itchiness (which indicates the patient may be allergic to the sampled allergen), the affected areas are measured, and anti-itch cream is applied to the tested skin. 
• ImmunoCAP® Specific IgE (immunoglobulin-E) Blood Test: This method involves the extraction of a small amount of blood from a patient that may suffer from a peanut allergy. The blood sample is sent to a lab to identify and measure the level of IgE antibodies the patient has to the presumed peanut allergy. The ImmunoCAP® Specific IgE Blood Test for peanut allergies allows our immunologists to determine the specificity of a patient’s peanut allergy (pinpoints the severity of symptoms). This test helps our best in class immunologists determine the exact protein that triggers a patient’s peanut allergy.  This immuno-diagnostic test allows our top notch team of board certified allergy specialist doctors to provide patients with a detailed overview of any detected antibodies that suggest an individual may have a peanut allergy.
• Skin Patch Test: The skin patch test for peanut allergies is recommended for patients with the potential for a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to a peanut allergen. This testing method is often employed for infants and small children, as their age groups are more likely to experience a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to a peanut allergen. One of our top rated immunologists applies a peanut allergen beneath the patient’s top layer of skin under a “Finn chamber” (skin patches that protect the affected area from external elements). The patient’s skin is evaluated between 48-72 hours after application to determine the presence of any peanut allergies. 
• Food Challenge: This highly effective method (known as “the Gold Standard” of allergy diagnostic testing) involves a careful administration of the trigger allergen directly to the patient. The patient is then closely monitored to determine if there is a reaction to the trigger allergen. This helps determine whether a patient’s body is threatened by a particular peanut allergen. The food challenge is often utilized by our best in class team in order to target a suspected peanut allergen, determine if a patient has outgrown a peanut allergy from which they previously experienced symptoms, or confirm a patient’s peanut allergy when previous allergy test results do not align. This method is always performed in a safe, closely monitored environment with highly qualified, board certified immunologists.

Treatment

• Immunotherapy: This innovative treatment may be employed to treat peanut allergies. There are a variety of methods your board certified allergy specialist doctor may employ: oral ingestion, injection, drops (placed under the tongue to dissolve). Immunotherapy aims to desensitize the immune system’s negative response to a particular allergen through gradual exposure of a period of time. Each method requires a different schedule for gradual exposure.
  Avoidance: Your top rated immunologist will advise you on what ingredients to avoid and how to effectively evaluate food package labels.

The sooner you schedule an appointment, the sooner you can experience relief!

 

Allergy & Asthma Center of Long Island
9 Center Drive, Roslyn, NY 11576
(516) 699-7790