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If a person is allergic to nuts (especially peanuts, which are among the most allergenic foods), eating even a small amount of nuts or simply contact with substances, products containing trace amounts of them (no more than 1 – 2 g) can cause an allergic reaction. It is various nuts that are one of the most common provoking factors for anaphylaxis – a severe reaction that can lead to death or prolonged hospitalization.
A similar sensitization reaction develops when the body’s immune system becomes overly sensitive to the protein in that food. Not all known nuts and similar fruits cause reactions, but only one, specific type of nut (walnut, peanut, cashew or macadamia). Contact with nuts causes an allergic reaction.
Nut allergies are becoming more common in our country and can be very serious. Approximately 1 in 5 people with a nut allergy will need emergency medical attention at some point due to anaphylactic reactions. Very sensitive people may experience a reaction if they swallow even tiny traces of nuts, for example, while eating, breathing, or simply touching a nut.
Approximately 3 out of 100 children under the age of 12 months are allergic to nuts. Some of them will grow out of this condition, but in about 1 in 20 cases, the allergy will worsen into adulthood and persist throughout life. A nut allergy can also develop for the first time in adulthood.
Can adults be allergic to nuts?
Negative reactions and severe allergies to different types of nuts are possible. Peanuts are the most common, almonds, Brazil nuts are less allergenic, followed by cashews, hazelnuts (hazelnuts), walnuts and more exotic macadamia, pistachios and pecans.
People, especially young people with eczema or egg allergies, are more likely to develop peanut allergies. It is important to know that peanuts are a nut by a stretch. Botanically, it is a legume and belongs to a family of plants other than tree nuts. Therefore, a peanut allergy does not automatically mean developing reactions to tree nuts, although it is not uncommon for the immune system to be sensitive to both peanuts and certain tree nuts. In addition, being allergic to peanuts also increases the chance of being allergic to sesame and lupins. Deciding whether it is safe to include sesame, lupine, or tree nuts in your diet should be with your GP or allergist once the diagnosis has been confirmed.
How does nut allergy manifest in adults?
Reactions to the consumption of different types of nuts can vary from mild, which can be dealt with at home, on their own, to severe, with pronounced reactions of organs and systems, which requires treatment in a hospital and even intensive care.
A mild reaction to nuts can cause the following symptoms:
- hives;
- swelling of the lips or tissues around the mouth, gums, cheeks;
- vomiting;
- abdominal pain, cramps, bloating;
- diarrhea.
Even if a patient usually has a mild allergic reaction to nuts, they still run the risk of anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- breathing problems;
- swollen tongue and burning;
- swelling of the throat;
- difficulties in speaking;
- wheezing or coughing;
- dizziness;
- collapse;
- severe pallor, weakness and malaise, impaired consciousness, a feeling of “fog” in the head.
Anaphylaxis is potentially life-threatening and a medical emergency.
How to treat nut allergy in adults
The usual treatment procedures are to exclude peanuts or any other foods that cause allergies from the daily diet. In addition, they also include anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation, oxygen supply to support breathing, and other drugs to reduce the body’s allergic reaction. In some cases, a doctor may also give desensitization or oral immunotherapy to reduce the risk of severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Diagnostics
If a person has reacted sharply to the use of nuts, the first thing to do is to consult a doctor. It is best to make an appointment with an allergy specialist right away, who will do a skin test or blood test to determine what the allergy is. A person can be allergic to several different types of nuts.
Modern treatments
There is no specific cure for nut allergy. The only proven remedy is to completely avoid contact with the nuts to which the allergy develops. Research is currently underway on how to prevent nut allergies in people who may be at risk, and how to “turn off” nut allergies with immunotherapy.
If a person is at risk of anaphylaxis, they may be given an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen). He should also have an anaphylaxis plan so that others around him know what to do if an acute reaction occurs.
Prevention of nut allergy in adults at home
If a nut allergy is identified, patients should avoid contact with hazardous foods, although avoiding any trace of a nut can be very difficult. It is important to consider the following:
- always read food labels;
- be careful with knives and forks, kitchen surfaces, barbecue plates, sharing butter and margarine, which can be contaminated with traces of nuts;
- be careful when kissing or hugging someone who has eaten nuts (traces may remain on the hands, lips, teeth, beard and mustache);
- be especially careful when eating out – Asian restaurants can be especially dangerous, although nuts are also often used in pesto, salad dressings and many other foods;
- when traveling, always take safe food with you;
- be careful eating other nut foods, even if you don’t think you’re allergic to them – you’re at an increased risk of developing an allergy to a new nut;
- always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) with you, tell others about your allergies and what to do if reactions occur;
- if in doubt, don’t eat the food.
Popular questions and answers
Answered questions about nut allergy allergist-immunologist of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences, member of the World Allergy Organization (WAO).