ANAPHYLAXIS ACTION PLAN
Mild Reaction
Flushed face
Red raised itchy rash
Sneezing, stuffy nose
Itching, tingling, numbness in
Mouth, tongue, lips
Swellings anywhere on face or
body. Feeling uncomfortably hot
Take oral antihistamine
1 or 2 tablets at once then
1 or 2 tablets every 4hrs
until symptoms go away
Peanut Allergy
If symptoms persist or get worse
SEE A DOCTOR
Information Leaflet
Severe Reaction
Shortness of breath or difficulty
in breathing, wheezing, chest
tightness
Swelling of tongue or throat
Dizziness, feeling weak, shock,
collapse
Ring 999 for AMBULANCE
Give self injectable
adrenaline
(only if prescribed)
Peninsula Immunology and Allergy Service
The Eden Unit
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
Dr CA Bethune
Revised Feb 2014 (review Feb 2016)
Doc Number: EdenALL03003
Doc location, G:HeamClin/Eden(new)/allergy/information leaflets
What is Peanut Allergy
It is an allergy to peanut protein (not oil) that causes a reaction after
eating or touching the nut. Peanut allergy is common, affecting 1:100
people, or about a million people in the UK.
Symptoms
Symptoms can occur immediately or up to one hour after eating a
peanut. Symptoms vary in severity and include an itchy rash, swelling
especially around the face, itchy throat, vomiting and diarrhoea
particularly in children. The most severe form of the reaction is
Anaphylaxis which may include difficulty breathing (with wheeze or
swelling in the throat) feeling faint or dizziness. Severe reactions are
much less common but can affect breathing particularly in those with
poorly controlled asthma where medical attention must be sought.
Exercise, stress and the consumption of alcohol may exacerbate the
reaction.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on a history of a typical reaction after contact
with peanuts. Skin prick testing and/or blood tests may be used to
support the diagnosis.
If you react to peanut oil you should know that some sweets,
toothpaste, soaps, cosmetics and medicines have peanut oil in.
Eating out
Curries, Indian, Chinese, Thai dishes and Pesto sauce can all contain
nuts. The nuts are often ground up so that you cannot see them.
Expect all restaurant food to contain peanuts in them unless they can
guarantee they don’t.
If you have been prescribed self-injectable adrenaline pens, you
should have 2 and carry them with you at all times. You should
also carry antihistamines.
Travel
Before travel it is advisable that you carry a medic alert ID and a card
in the language of the country you will be travelling to, with
information about your peanut allergy.
Some websites do offer translation cards and travel advice (see
websites below).
If travelling abroad make your airline aware that you have a peanut
allergy. They will need an advanced notice of at least one week prior
to your flight.
On arrival be aware of the nearest medical centre and any
emergency numbers.
Who needs to be aware of this allergy?
Avoiding peanuts
If you are allergic to peanuts, it is best to avoid all nuts.
Avoiding eating and even touching all nuts is important in someone
with a peanut allergy.
Ground nuts, Arachis nuts, monkey nuts and goober nuts are all other
names for peanuts.
Peanuts are high in protein. Some of these proteins are easily
destroyed by heat, therefore reaction may be worse to raw peanuts.
As nearly all the protein is left behind when peanut oil is made most
people with peanut allergy do not react to the oil.
Everyone! Family, friends, school, university and work all need to be
aware .
Useful Websites:
www.anaphylaxis.org.uk
www.allergyuk.org.uk
www.allergyaction.org
www.medicalert.org.uk/
www.universalmedicalid.co.uk/