Peas are included in the same family as peanuts and known to trigger an allergic reaction among individuals who have peanut allergy. When it comes to pea protein allergy, it is an adverse reaction of the immune system to the specific proteins in the peas.
Once the individual experiences an adverse reaction to peas when eating or touching them, a doctor should be consulted about allergy testing so that an accurate diagnosis can be given. Even though unlikely to occur, a pea protein allergy can lead to anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening condition that can be fatal if not promptly treated.
Potential causes
An allergy to pea protein is triggered by an overreaction of the immune system to the proteins present in peas. The body does not recognize the proteins as safe, thus it produces a defense system to fight off the pea proteins. The IgE antibodies enter the bloodstream and trigger a chain reaction that instigates the mast cells to generate high levels of histamine. The histamine is responsible for causing inflammation of the soft tissues that result to the common allergy symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of pea protein allergy typically include respiratory complications, skin reactions and digestive difficulty. The respiratory complications include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, nasal congestion, sneezing episodes, throat irritation and itchy eyes. This allergy can also lead to abdominal cramps, gas, vomiting, bloating and diarrhea. The skin reactions include hives, generalized itchiness and contact dermatitis.
Treatment
The individual should avoid any exposure to peas. This is considered as the most effective form of treatment for pea protein allergy. The mild symptoms due to pea protein allergy can be managed with an oral antihistamine. The antihistamines work by limiting the production of histamine, thus reducing the severity of the allergy symptoms. As for the skin reactions, they are treated with topical histamine creams and corticosteroids to minimize the itchiness and inflammation.
What are the complications?
Anaphylactic shock is a potential complication when it comes to food allergies. This reaction is an extreme systemic reaction that causes the body to go into a state of shock. The high levels of histamine are produced which leads to inflammation in the lungs, abrupt drop in the blood pressure and rapid heart rate.
It is important to note that anaphylactic shock can result to death and requires immediate medical care. If an individual has a severe allergy to peas, he/she must always bring along an epinephrine auto-injector in cases of emergencies.
Considerations to bear in mind
An individual with a known pea protein allergy should use a medical bracelet. When eating outside, the individual should ask about the ingredients present in certain dishes and carefully read all the food labels. If the individual is in doubt if peas are included in a particular dish, he/she should avoid it.