182k views
3 votes
What life-threatening allergic reaction can be caused by consuming peanuts?

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

Anaphylaxis

Step-by-step explanation:

Anaphylaxis is the life-threatening condition that follows an allergic reaction to a substance that the patient's immune system is particularly sensitive to -- which substance that may be varies from person to person, be it bee venom, peanuts, seafood, certain fruit, medications, latex, eggs, etc.

During anaphylaxis, the patient's body is thrust into a shock state, causing:

  • their airways to close due to the bronchial tissue within the throat swelling which limits their ability to breathe;
  • their eyes swell leading to vision problems; their blood pressure may suddenly decline (hypotension);
  • their heart rate may skyrocket (tachycardia); and they may experience a syncopal episode (passing out, fainting).
  • If unresolved, these patients can die from such a reaction, which is why anaphylaxis can be a medical emergency.

In some cases, this condition can be temporarily resolved with the injection of the medication epinephrine, known by its brand name EpiPen or the more cost-effective alternative AdrenaClick, or colloquially as adrenaline. The administration of this medication should be promptly followed up with a visit to an emergency room (ER) for a workup by a healthcare professional.

To summarize, the life-threatening allergic reaction to a substance, like peanuts, is known as anaphylaxis.

User DavidXYZ
by
7.8k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.