Peanut allergy is a food allergy caused by peanuts. It is caused due to immune system's type I hypersensitivity reaction. Dendritic cells recognize peanut allergens as foreign pathogens. Immunoglobulin E acts to release histamine from mast cells which causes the symptoms of allergy.
The symptoms include hives, itchiness, vomiting, diarrhea etc. In severe cases asthma like symptoms develop, blood pressure drops and cardiac arrest might occur. Allergic exposure can occur via ingestion and also via skin contact or inhalation of peanut allergens.
