Stomach pains from peanuts are most likely the result of a peanut allergy or peanut intolerance. The main difference between the two conditions is their cause. Peanut allergies are caused by a malfunction of the immune system, while peanut intolerance is the inability of the digestive system to digest the proteins in the peanuts. Stomach pain may be a sign of a more serious condition that needs to be evaluated by your doctor. Some symptoms that develop with stomach pain may help narrow the diagnosis.
Peanut Allergy
Peanuts are one of the most common causes of severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. If you notice minor symptoms after eating peanuts, you should see your doctor to determine the severity of your allergy. After you eat peanuts, your immune system identifies the proteins in the peanuts as a potentially harmful substance. This causes the body to defend itself and attack the peanut proteins. Chemicals are created in soft tissue throughout the body that attempt to fight off the proteins, and they cause inflammation and irritation in soft tissues.
Stomach Pain
Stomach pain from a peanut allergy is caused by inflammation and irritation that occurs throughout the digestive system. Increased levels of chemicals in the soft tissue of the intestines can lead to mild to severe stomach pain. Other symptoms that may accompany the stomach pain include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, gas and cramping. A peanut allergy will also cause symptoms to develop in other parts of the body, such as skin rashes, asthma and sinus complications.
Peanut Intolerance
A peanut intolerance can also cause stomach pain and other gastric symptoms. Peanut intolerance occurs when you cannot properly digest the proteins in peanuts. This is primarily caused by a deficiency of the specific enzyme needed to digest the peanut proteins. If this occurs, the proteins go undigested. When they enter the colon, bacteria attempt to digest the proteins and causes inflammation, gas and bloating throughout the digestive system.
Get Tested
Getting tested for a peanut allergy can determine whether the stomach pain is from an allergy or intolerance. Peanut proteins are inserted under a thin layer of your skin. After 15 minutes, the allergist will check to see if your skin has developed a rash, inflammation or swelling. Another allergy test takes a sample of your blood and introduces peanut proteins in a lab. If your blood creates immunoglobulin E antibodies, you are allergic to peanuts.
