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Article: What is a peanut allergy and what causes it?
- Article from:
- Tyrone Times (Dungannon, Northern Ireland)
- Article date:
- March 23, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Johnston Publishing Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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A peanut allergy is a reaction that occurs when your body mistakenly identifies peanuts as harmful substances. When you eat peanuts or food containing peanuts, your immune system-the body's natural defense system -overreacts and can cause a serious, even life-threatening response.
Peanut allergy is currently on the increase and affects about 1.5% of the population.
What causes a peanut allergy?
An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system overreacts and releases chemicals, including histamine, into your blood. These chemicals can affect different tissues in the body, such as the skin, eyes, nose, airways, intestinal tract, lungs, and blood vessels. It's ...