Hazelnut allergy is one of the most common food allergies. More and more often, allergies of this type affect people living in Western civilization countries. Increasing the availability of exotic fruits or vegetables, industrially and biologically modified products, and finally lowering immunity: all this leads to food allergies, which can already be called civilization diseases.
How does a hazelnut allergy develop?
Allergy is not the result of improper care of the child. It arises spontaneously by creating an inappropriate immune response of the patient to food factors, such as hazelnuts. Allergy symptoms may vary slightly from person to person, but the same person will always develop the same immune system response to the same allergen.
Infants and young children often suffer from food allergies, which is related to the structure of their digestive system. The immaturity of the intestinal barrier, the natural bacterial flora and the increased permeability of proteins through the intestinal mucosa lead to the development of allergy symptoms.
Hazelnut allergy symptoms
Very often there is a runny nose, itching of the skin, rash, hives, swelling of the larynx, vomiting, diarrhea, migraines, edema, headaches and finally abdominal pain. Untreated allergies and frequent symptoms can lead to more serious diseases, including atopic dermatitis and colitis. It is therefore important to consult a doctor at the first signs of allergy.
Among the most common symptoms of allergies are those related to the skin (occurring in 45 percent of allergy sufferers). Then, allergy sufferers also often complain about respiratory (25%) or gastrointestinal (20%) ailments.
The most dangerous effect of allergies is anaphylaxis
Anaphylactic shock is the most dangerous symptom and complication of untreated allergy. This is the most severe allergic reaction that can occur as a result of contact of the body with the allergenic ingredient, in the case of hazelnut allergy – after eating nuts. Anaphylaxis can even lead to death.
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include: swelling of the upper respiratory tract, the appearance of an itchy rash, and a drop in blood pressure.
The easiest way to treat anaphylaxis is to give an injection of adrenaline intramuscularly. If you find the above-mentioned symptoms in any allergic person, it is important to immediately call for medical help.
Prevention
People with allergies should be especially careful about the foods they eat. Hazelnuts can be invisible at first glance as an ingredient of purchased ready-made products. Pay attention to this and carefully read the labels of all the products you buy. In the case of sick children, special attention should be paid to chocolate creams, which often contain nuts, even in trace amounts.