Knowing the signs of an allergic reaction to peanut butter is vitally important. This knowledge can help you determine whether you have an allergy so you can adjust your diet accordingly. If you're allergic to peanut butter, you may experience mild symptoms, such as itchiness and other skin reactions, or severe, life-threatening symptoms, such as trouble breathing or dizziness.
Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to the ingestion of peanuts. As you digest peanuts, your body produces histamines. The release of histamines may result in a variety of symptoms, including sneezing, stomach cramps, rash or dizziness. People who are allergic to peanuts will have an allergic reaction when they ingest small or trace amounts of peanuts, and some may react when peanuts come into contact with their skin. Peanut allergies range from mild to severe and life-threatening.
Mild Symptoms
Mild symptoms include skin reactions, such as hives, rash, itching and eczema. You may develop red bumps, and the area around your mouth may swell. According to Dr. Michael C. Young, the author of "The Peanut Allergy Answer Book" and a contributor to pbskids.org, skin reactions are the most common types of allergic reactions among people with food allergies. Other mild symptoms include a tingling sensation in your mouth, watery and itchy eyes, a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing. If you experience any of these symptoms during or after consuming peanut butter, you may have a peanut allergy.
Severe Symptoms
Severe symptoms include swelling of the tongue or throat, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. You may also have difficulty breathing, cough, wheeze or have an asthmatic episode. Additionally, your blood pressure may drop, and you may feel dizzy, lose your concentration and experience blurred vision. You may also lose consciousness. These are all signs of anaphylaxis — an extreme, life-threatening allergic reaction. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Treatment
Your doctor will recommend treatment options based on the severity of your allergy. If you are mildly allergic to peanut butter, your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine to take in case you come into contact with peanut butter. If you have a severe allergy, you may be provided with an epinephrine shot to use during severe allergic reactions.
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