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How Food Allergies Can Affect The Body
When a hypersensitive immune system attacts proteins in peanuts or other foods that are harmless to most people, allergic reactions vary from a mild rash to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal
1 Peanuts are first introduced to the immune system
2 The body reacts to peanut proteins by generating IgE antibodies
3 During the next encounter with peanuts, the antibodies attach to mast cells
4 IgE signals these cells to flood the body with histamines and other chemicals
Allergic reactions can include:
COUGHING/WATERY EYES
Histamines cause eyes and nose to run
HIVES
The activated immune system triggers eczema and hives
VASODILATION
Blood vessels become leaky, lowering blood pressure
AIRWAY CONSTRICTION
Inflammation in the lungs can lead to difficulty breathing
Food allergies are becoming more common ...
Average hospital discharges per year of children with any diagnosis related to food allergies
1998-2000 2,615
'01-'03 4,135
'04-'06 9,537
... but cause fewer deaths than other hazards
Food allergies 18Lightning strikes 48
Stings (hornets, wasps or bees) 82
Malnutrition 3,003
Accidental drowning 3,976
Accidental poisoning 23,618
Flu and pneumonia 63,001
Sources: National Center for Health Statistics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention