Login

Forgot your password?
Font size: A- A+
Become a Member FREE

Join around 100,000 monthly visitors and 72,000 members: daily games, discussions, contribute articles, make new friendships, GrownUps-only offers & more...

Register Free Now!
Notices
WIN a Globus California Classics Tour for Two!
WIN a Globus California Classics Tour for Two!
This year you could be taking a $9400 trip for two to California
Soothe Worry & Tension
Soothe Worry & Tension
...while enhancing your libido (men and women)
Sports & Travel Survey
Sports & Travel Survey
Complete the survey and be in to win a $100 Westfield voucher
Let's Chat Over Lunch
Let's Chat Over Lunch
Have a Free Lunch with Metlifecare
Feel All-Bran New
Feel All-Bran New
New Ways to Get Fibre Into Your Day
Win a return journey across Cook Strait
Win a return journey across Cook Strait
See more of New Zealand with Bluebridge
See the Difference
See the Difference
Eyesight Advice from Visique Optometrists
2degrees Offer
2degrees Offer
Making the CDMA switchover easy
Optometry & Eyewear Survey
Optometry & Eyewear Survey
We'd like to find out a little more about your optometry & eyewear preferences
CDMA Phone Network close down 31 July
CDMA Phone Network close down 31 July
Move now & get $79 credit with every Prepaid mobile
Keep up to date with us
Keep up to date with us
Follow our updates, new comps and articles via Facebook and Twitter
List your Classified
List your Classified
House Sitters, Employment, For Sale, Property & Personals
Live Chat
Live Chat
With fellow GrownUps in our multi-room chat
Compare & Purchase Insurance products
Disclaimer: Grown Ups is not an Insurance Broker. We provide product information from recognised Insurance companies. We are not making recommendations and we accept no responsibility for decisions made as a result of using the information provided.'
R50 Sexual Health
R50 Sexual Health
Check out the new section available to everyone.
Recipes
Recipes
Find some delicious recipes by clicking here.
Guide to Retirement Living
Guide to Retirement Living
Get your own copy for free, here.
Columnists

Vote in our Polls

Are you carpeting or re-carpeting a property in the next 6 months?

Category sponsor

Food Allergies -- Why Are Peanuts So Dangerous?

Since peanut allergies are particularly dangerous, a lot of research has been carried out on the subject in recent years. Some people's allergic reaction to peanuts can be extremely severe, and the problem is only compounded by the number of foods which may contain peanuts; often in products you wouldn't necessarily expect to find them. Even supposedly peanut-free foodstuffs may have been contaminated in a factory which also produces products containing peanuts. Peanuts are the number one cause of food allergy induced fatalities, and it only takes a very small amount to cause a reaction in susceptible people. What's more, the allergen doesn't even have to be ingested -- airborne particles, for example from peanut oil or flour can also cause the reaction.

For those who suffer badly from this particular allergy, the biggest danger is anaphylactic shock. This occurs when histamines are released into the bloodstream, causing the throat to swell, with accompanied difficulty in breathing, and circulatory problems such as dangerously low blood pressure; it can be fatal.












The allergic reaction occurs when a person's immune system identifies certain proteins contained in peanuts as a potential threat and produces antibodies to counter the perceived danger to the body. From then on, further contact with peanuts will result in the antibodies instructing the immune system to release histamine into the blood, which causes the allergic reaction.

Unfortunately, there is currently no way to cure or alleviate a peanut allergy, and scientists aren't sure why some people have the problem and not others. However, it has been shown that you are more likely to suffer from peanut allergy if other members of your family do as well. Although around 20% of children who have the allergy will eventually outgrow it, this should not be seen as a 'cure', as the person can relapse at some point in the future. It is therefore advisable to continue avoiding peanuts, even if you think your allergy is cured.

Published 16th Feb 2010

print

Advertisement

Advertisement

Article Information
Average Rating: 0
Explore This Topic
Discuss This

Click here to start a discussion on this or Click here to read other discussions.

Contribute
Log in to post comments

 

Join GrownUps Free
By becoming a GrownUps member and part of the Community, you gain access to:
  • Enter Competitions
  • Go into regular prize draws
  • Play daily games
  • Join Discussion Groups
  • Find like-minded individuals and create lasting friendships
  • Receive special GrownUps offers and
  • Add you own articles of interest, recipes, pictures for fellow members to read and view.
All for FREE! So why not join now?

Register Now