PEANUT ALLERGY Meaning and
Definition
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Peanut allergy is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal immune response to peanuts. It is an allergic reaction that occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies peanut proteins as harmful substances. When exposed to peanuts or peanut-containing products, individuals with a peanut allergy experience various symptoms ranging from mild to severe, which can include itching, hives, swelling (particularly of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to a rapid drop in blood pressure, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, and even death if not promptly treated. Consequently, individuals with a known peanut allergy are advised to avoid peanuts and all peanut-related foods or products in order to prevent allergic reactions.
Peanut allergies are relatively common, especially in children, and tend to persist into adulthood, meaning there is currently no known cure for this allergy. The condition is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history, allergy testing, and food challenges to determine the level of sensitivity towards peanuts. Management and treatment of peanut allergies involve strict avoidance of peanuts and preparedness for emergency situations, including carrying injectable epinephrine (EpiPen) to counteract severe allergic reactions if necessary. It is also important for individuals with peanut allergies to properly educate others about their condition, especially caregivers, schools, and restaurants, to ensure a safe environment and prevent accidental exposure to peanuts.
Common Misspellings for PEANUT ALLERGY
- oeanut allergy
- leanut allergy
- -eanut allergy
- 0eanut allergy
- pwanut allergy
- psanut allergy
- pdanut allergy
- pranut allergy
- p4anut allergy
- p3anut allergy
- peznut allergy
- pesnut allergy
- pewnut allergy
- peqnut allergy
- peabut allergy
- peamut allergy
- peajut allergy
- peahut allergy
- peanyt allergy
- peanht allergy
Etymology of PEANUT ALLERGY
The word "peanut" comes from the Old English word "pnūte", which has its roots in the West Germanic language group. It is believed to have been borrowed from Old Norse "hnūtr" or Middle Low German "nutte".
The term "allergy" was coined by the Austrian pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet in 1906. It is derived from the Greek words "allos", meaning "other" or "different", and "ergon", meaning "reaction" or "work".
Therefore, the etymology of the term "peanut allergy" is a combination of the Old English word for peanut and the Greek-derived term for adverse reactions to specific substances.
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