An allergy to tree nuts is one of the most common food allergies. A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to an allergen (protein) in a food. Tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, pine nuts and walnuts. Along with peanuts and shellfish, it is also one of the food allergens most frequently linked to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock.
There’s often confusion between tree nuts and peanuts. A peanut is a legume (belonging to the same family as soybeans, peas and lentils), not a tree nut. The proteins in peanuts are similar in structure to those in tree nuts. Between 25 and 40 percent of individuals who are allergic to peanuts also react to at least one tree nut. The good news is that it was previously believed that an allergy to peanuts was lifelong, but recent research shows that about 20 percent of individuals with a peanut allergy eventually outgrow it.
Symptoms of a tree nut or peanut allergy include:
- Abdominal pain, cramps, nausea and vomiting (tree nut allergy only)
- Diarrhea (tree nut allergy only)
- Difficulty swallowing (tree nut allergy only)
- Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin or any other area (tree nut allergy only)
- Itchy skin or hives, which can appear as small spots or large welts (peanut allergy only)
- An itching or tingling sensation in or around the mouth or throat (peanut allergy only)
- Nasal congestion or a runny nose
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath (tree nut allergy only)
- Anaphylaxis (less common with a tree nut allergy)
Tips for avoiding nuts, especially peanuts:
- To avoid the risk of anaphylaxis, people with a peanut allergy must be very careful about what they eat. Peanuts and peanut products are commonly found in candies, cereals and baked goods, such as cookies, cakes and pies. Also in take-aways and food served at restaurants.
- Foods that don’t contain peanuts can get contaminated if they are prepared in the same place or using the same equipment. As a result, people with a tree nut or peanut allergy should avoid products that bear precautionary statements on the label, such as “may contain peanuts” or “made in a factory that uses nut ingredients.” Note that the use of those advisory labels is voluntary, and not all manufacturers do so. Check the label each time you buy a product. Manufacturers sometimes change recipes, and a trigger food may be added to the new one.
- Look for peanuts outside the kitchen. In addition to foods, nuts can be in lotions, shampoos, and pet food. Check labels before you buy or use them.
If you’re cooking meals from scratch at home, it’s easy to modify recipes to remove peanut ingredients and substitute ingredients that aren’t allergens. Some people who can’t tolerate peanuts or eat peanut butter can consume other nut or seed butters. See my post “Nuts about butter” for information on nut butters.
Source: www:acaai.org; www.wikipedia.org; www.foodallergyawareness.org; www.webmd.com; www.nutsforlife.com.au.
