Nut Allergy
The nut allergy is one of the most common causes
of food allergies. Most people who have a nut
allergy are most likely to be allergic to tree
nuts and have allergic reactions to peanuts.
Various tree nuts include almonds, pecans,
walnuts, cashews, and hazelnuts. Peanuts or
groundnuts are not nuts, but legumes. These grow
underground and are not related to beans or peas
at all. People can develop allergies to nuts or
any other foods at any age.
Everyone will experience different symptoms with
their nut allergy when consuming nuts. Some
symptoms may occur within minutes, some may
occur a few hours or even a day or so later;
this all depends upon the person.
Mild Nut Allergy Symptoms
Mild symptoms of a nut allergy include but are not limited to:
- rash
- runny nose or sneezing
- breathlessness
- tingling of lips, tongue or mouth
- digestive problems such as stomach
cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting
- itchy skin
Serious Nut Allergy Symptoms
- swelling of the lips, tongue, throat
or face
- dizziness
Those who have a severe nut allergy can quite
possibly develop anaphylaxis. Breathing becomes
difficult because airways in the lungs are
swollen. Most likely, there is a drop in blood
pressure and increase of heart rate which
obviously contributes to a shock in the system.
This is unfortunate; however, for those who
possess a severe nut allergy; symptoms can be
triggered just from being around or touching a
person who has recently eaten nuts. Some may
have symptoms from actually being in the same
room where nuts are kept.
When a person with a nut allergy comes into
contact with nuts; antibodies called IgE are at
work. Usually, antibodies exist solely for
fighting infections; this is why they are
released. Unfortunately, the nut is deemed the
enemy; this is what the antibodies are
attacking. Your mast cells start to release
chemicals such as histamines while inducing
symptoms of allergies such as swelling and rash.
There are many methods that can assist a person
in revealing if they possess a nut allergy.
Blood tests will measure IgE antibodies for
certain allergens in your blood. This can quite
possibly confirm a diagnosis of a severe food
allergy.
Skin prick tests
involves introducing different allergens to
one’s skin, just to see which will cause an
allergic reaction. The recipient should know
that only small doses of allergens are given.
The only sure fire way of treating a nut allergy
is to avoid nut or products that may contain
them. Antihistamine treatments can also be
prescribed for those who have only mild
reactions.
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