No ifs, ands, or NUTS!

No reactions are the same…that’s what makes it scary!!

For as long as I can remember, I have had a great aversion to the smell of peanuts.  If my mom was making a peanut butter sandwich or my sister was enjoying chocolate covered peanuts, I would feel sick to my stomach and have to leave the room.  At the time, we didn’t know that I had a peanut allergy.  Since my diagnosis, our house is now completely nut-free!

When reflecting on my allergic reactions to peanut exposure, I have experienced everything from a solitary hive and tingly mouth to full-body coverage of hives to the point where my body looked like cottage cheese had been injected directly into my skin.  In a controlled clinical setting, a food challenge actually put me into anaphylaxis requiring an epinephrine shot to relieve my symptoms (and possibly save my life).

There are no rules as to how the body will react to an accidental exposure to an allergen like peanut protein.  It is imperative that peanut allergy sufferers (and all people who have been diagnosed with life-threatening allergies) wear medical alert identification and carry an epinephrine injector (or two).  Plan ahead to protect yourself!!

Keep out of the nut house!

No ifs, ands or NUTS!

So, you’ve had an allergic reaction…now what?

Always contact a certified allergist – never try to diagnose an allergy on your own.  There are many tests that an allergist can perform to help determine the extent of your allergies.

1. Skin prick test (SPT) – a small amount of an allergen is put on the skin and the doctor pricks the skin to allow some of the solution to enter the skin.  If an allergy is present, an antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE) will be released by the immune system and a reaction will appear on the skin.  If there is no allergy, no reaction will be seen.

2. Blood Test – blood is drawn to determine the level of IgE antibodies in the blood stream.  The higher the level of IgE, the more likely the person has an allergy.
3. Oral food challenge (OFC) – while this is the most accurate of testing, it also has the greatest potential for serious side effects.  During an OFC, the patient is fed a small amount of a food protein. If no reaction is seen, the dosage of the protein is increased.  Once any sign of reaction is observed, the OFC is halted.  Generally, hives, itching or swelling will occur if there is an allergy present.

I have had all three of these tests performed.  None of them are painful and they have provided my doctors with valuable information for my treatment plan.  If you suspect you have an allergy to some food, get it checked out.  It could save your life!

Keep out of the nut house!!

No ifs, ands, or NUTS!

Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance…is there a difference?

YES!!  One involves the body’s immune system and the other doesn’t.  Can you guess which is which?

Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a food protein as a harmful substance.  When the allergen (depending on the allergy, this could be peanuts, milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, or even a bee sting) is detected in the body, the immune system releases histamines to attack the harmful substance.  This release of histamines results in symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and possible death.

Food intolerance does not involve the immune system.  Food intolerance is the body’s inability to digest certain foods.  This is an inconvenience to the person, but food intolerance is not life-threatening.

Keep out of the nut house!

No ifs, ands, or NUTS!

V-I-G-I-L-A-N-C-E, the only current treatment for peanut allergies…

There is no cure for peanut allergies, so it is up to the allergy sufferer to be responsible for minimizing accidental exposures to allergens.

What are the keys to staying safe?
- Ask questions.  Whether eating at a restaurant or hanging out with friends, it is imperative that a peanut allergy sufferer asks about how foods are prepared and what ingredients are used.
- Tell people.  Explain to your friends and family that you have a peanut allergy.  Don’t  assume that people understand your disability.
- Avoid the allergen or products processed with the allergen.
- Wear medical identification (e.g., bracelets, other jewelry) at all times.
- Keep your prescriptions current.  Even if you have never needed to use your injector, throw it away when it expires and renew your prescriptions.
- Use your epinephrine injector when needed.  If you have been exposed to a known allergen, don’t wait for your symptoms improve.
- Go to the Emergency Room if you use your epinephrine injector.  Even if your symptoms improve, you still need to follow up with a doctor for evaluation.

An epi-pen is not foolproof.  A peanut allergy sufferer must be vigilant to ensure safety.

No ifs, ands, or NUTS!

EpiPen is the most prescribed epinephrine injector, used to treat the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis.

EpiPens are dispensed as a two-pack because health professionals believe that people who are at risk for anaphylaxis should always carry two doses of epinephrine as an emergency back-up.

An EpiPen should be administered when there are visible signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. 

NOTE: Epinephrine injections are ALWAYS given in the outer thigh.  Epinephrine injections are not a substitute for emergency medical care. ALWAYS call 911 when you or someone you know has been exposed to a life-threatening allergen.

Watch this blog for upcoming training seminars to learn how to safely administer an epinephrine injector.  Learn to save a life!

Keep out of the nut house!

No ifs, ands, or NUTS!

Ana-phy-what??

Anaphylaxis, that’s what!

The Mayo Clinic defines anaphylaxis as a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to, such as a peanut or the venom from a bee sting.  Anaphylaxis generally begins within minutes after the person comes in contact with an allergen.  Systemic allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis, occur when multiple body functions are involved in the reaction to an allergen. 

But what is involved in a “potentially life-threatening reaction”?

o   Body tissues may swell in the mouth, tongue, and the throat making it difficult for the person to breathe.

o   Blood pressure may drop drastically cause the patient to lose consciousness

o   Hives may appear over the entire body.

o   The person may experience dizziness or shock.

It is the combination of these symptoms that make severe allergies life-threatening and access to treatment plans so critical. For these types of reactions, administration of an epinephrine injection may be the person’s only chance for survival.

Watch this blog for upcoming training seminars to learn how to safely administer an epinephrine injector.  Learn to save a life!

Keep out of the nut house!