Eating peanut butter or other peanut products when you are allergic to peanuts can trigger an allergic reaction that may include itching. The American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology reports that the allergy affects approximately 400,000 school-aged children in the United States and is one of the food allergens most commonly associated with sudden and severe reactions. Identifying symptoms of an allergic reaction can help you ensure that you receive prompt treatment for your condition.
Symptoms
Itching may occur in your throat or mouth or may accompany hives. Hives are raised red spots that appear on the skin. Other possible signs of an allergic reaction include chest tightness, wheezing, runny nose, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or cramps. If the reaction is severe, anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction, can occur. If you experience an anaphylactic reaction, your airways narrow, making it hard to breathe. Blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels, while the pulse rate increases. Loss of consciousness may also occur. If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 or the emergency medical telephone number for your area.
Exposure
Eating peanut products can cause an allergic reaction, but a reaction also might occur if you just touch peanuts or foods containing peanut products. A reaction can also occur if you eat a non-peanut product that was manufactured using the same equipment used to manufacture peanut products or if the food was contaminated with peanut products at some point during the manufacturing process. In some cases, a reaction can occur if you inhale dust from peanuts or peanut products.
Warning
Mild peanut allergy reactions may be limited to annoying, but not life-threatening symptoms, such as itching or stomach cramps. While it may be tempting to continue to eat peanut products if past reactions have been mild, ignoring your allergy can be dangerous. MayoClinic.com reports that even if you or a child had a mild allergic reaction in the past, there is still a risk that a more serious reaction could occur in the future.
Treatment and Prevention
While avoiding peanuts is the best way to prevent a reaction, it isn't always possible. Your doctor may suggest that you carry an epinephrine auto-injector with you in case you accidentally ingest or come in contact with peanuts. Injecting epinephrine into your body during a reaction opens your airways, making it easier to breathe. If epinephrine doesn't relieve your symptoms, you will need immediate emergency medical care. Antihistamines can help relieve itching, hives and other symptoms of a mild reaction. Taking oatmeal baths and applying cold compresses to the skin can be helpful in reducing itching due to hives.
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