Part of a peanut allergy treatment plan is education. Our team is passionate about providing knowledge about how to prevent an allergic reaction to peanuts and what to do if one occurs.
Understand Your Peanut Allergy
Make sure you fully understand your peanut allergy and it’s severity. Be vigilant in reading food labels, asking restaurants to avoid using peanuts, and making sure you know what to do if an allergic reaction occurs.
For some, being near someone who just consumed peanuts, being in the same vicinity as peanuts, or breathing peanut residue found in the air can cause a severe allergic reaction. It’s important to understand what your reaction will be if you consume or come into contact with a peanut.
Let People Know
If your child has a peanut allergy, be sure to let everyone know about the allergy. All caregivers such as school faculty and staff, babysitters, friends, and family should be aware of the peanut allergy. They should also know the symptoms of an allergic reaction, where to locate an epinephrine shot and how to administer it, and a plan for transportation to a hospital.
Wearing a medical bracelet with the peanut allergy listed is a great way for people you don’t know and first responders to be made aware of the peanut allergy and adequately respond.
Always Be Prepared
For the most successful response to an allergic reaction caused by a peanut allergy, you must administer an epinephrine shot. Ensure you:
- Always have it with you. You never know when you will accidentally come into contact or consume a peanut triggering a reaction. It’s also a good practice to have an extra one in your car or desk at work.
- Out-of-date epinephrine medicine is not as effective, or not effective at all. Replace the autoinjector before it is approaching its expiration date.
- Ensure you know how to administer the epinephrine shot by requesting your doctor explain it to you. Then, teach those closest to you or frequently are around how to use it. The more people that are aware or your allergy and know how to operate the epinephrine, the greater chances of survival you have if you ever experience anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction.
Did You Know? Food Allergy Stats
In the article, “Prevalence and Severity of Food Allergies Among US Adults” authored by Ruchi S. Gupta, it was found that:
- About 26 million (10.8%) U.S. adults have food allergies.
- About 5.6 million (7.6%) U.S. children have food allergies.
- About 6.1 million people report convincing symptoms of an allergic reaction to peanuts.
Call us today to schedule a peanut allergy test: 478-787-4728
During an appointment at Langford Allergy, you can expect to meet with Dr. Langford himself and he will be sure to answer any questions you might have. Langford Allergy is a physician-driven practice, which means that Dr. Langford knows every patient personally and seeks to implement a superior standard of care.