A new pocket sensor has been developed that can detect peanut protein in almost any food and drink. It is called Nima Peanut Sensor, capable of detecting as little as 20 parts per million of peanut protein. The device will be a helpful tool for those who have a peanut allergy.
Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy that is different from a nut allergy. It is a common allergy in children, more common than milk and shellfish. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, about 0.6 percent of people in the United States have a peanut allergy, while 4,000 people are diagnosed every year in England.
This food allergy can be a life-threatening condition which is why many schools have declared nut-free cafeteria – no peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Peanut allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a rapid allergic reaction characterized by an itchy rash, swollen throat or tongue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and low blood pressure. Anaphylaxis can lead to death with a prevalence rate of 0.3 percent in the US.…show more content… Cases of peanut allergy in children increased by 300 percent between 1997 and 2008, according to a study published in May 2010. About 20 percent of children eventually outgrow their peanut allergy.
Experts warn not mistaken a peanut for a tree nut, like almonds and cashew. Peanut is a legume, a family where soybeans, peas, and lentils belong. If someone has a peanut allergy, it does not automatically increase the likelihood of being allergic to another legume.
- There are at least 11 peanut allergens found by experts but they don't know what's the real cause of the