PEANUT (MUNGPHALLI) ALLERGY: CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

If your kid has peanut or mungphalli allergy, you need to be careful with the foods that you give him or her. Read here to know more about the allergy and what should you do. It is also very important to teach your kid about the foods that he or she is allergic to. This will help them to be careful when they are in school or traelling alone. 

WHAT IS IT?

- When the body's immune system reacts to peanuts/mungphalli and the proteins present in it

- First detected at the age of 4 to 9 months, when solids are first started

- Usually genetic, your child might develop a peanut allergy if his or her sibling or parent has an allergic condition like asthma, hay fever, or eczema (skin condition)

- Can last lifelong

SYMPTOMS

- Hives or nettle rash around the mouth, nose, eyes which may spread to other parts of the body

- Mild swelling of lips, eyes and face

- Runny or blocked nose, sneezing and watery eyes

- Itchy mouth and irritated throat

- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

- A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis

Note:

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment and any allergic reaction can become severe in minutes. Follow instructions of the doctor immediately.

TREATMENT

- No cure for peanut allergy exists

- All peanuts and peanuts related ingredients should be avoided

PREVENTION

- Recent studies show that to avoid peanut allergy, you should introduce peanuts at least by the age of 6 months

- Make sure that the peanuts are well crushed or made into peanut butter (whole nuts are a choking hazard)

- If there's a family history of food allergies, get doctor's advice before giving peanuts

Note:

Before introducing any new foods, it is always a good idea to ask the doctor