Nut allergies

The term ‘nut allergy’ can be confusing, because we tend to use it to describe an allergic reaction to the fruit of unrelated plants such as peanuts, that grow on trees. Peanuts are related to chickpeas and peas, whereas tree nuts include almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts and walnuts. Seeds include sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and coconuts.

Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergies in children and although the allergy may improve with time for some, for others it will become worse. People who are allergic to peanuts will not necessarily be allergic to tree nuts or seeds. ), runny nose, cramps, nausea or vomiting.

The best way to manage peanut, tree nut and seed allergies is to avoid all products containing these foods. can be life threatening and peanuts, tree nuts and seeds are some of the most common food triggers for life-threatening severe allergic reactions.

If you, or someone in your care, have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), call 911 for an ambulance.

Do not stand or walk

Administer an adrenaline injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®), into the outer mid-thigh. Further adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes. is different and peanut, tree nut and seed allergies can cause diverse signs and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.

Many food allergies do not cause severe symptoms, but they can be life threatening in some people and should be taken seriously. , toxic reactions or food sensitivities (intolerance). Although these are not allergic reactions, they are often mistaken for allergies.

Mild allergic symptoms that can occur before a severe allergic reaction include:

• nausea or vomiting. If you or someone in your care have experienced any of these symptoms after eating peanuts
• tree nuts or seeds
• the risk of having a severe reaction after eating that food may be greater than usual

Ask your doctor to refer you to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.

If you think you or a child in your care might have an allergy, keeping a record of symptoms can help you and your doctor to understand what is causing them. Keep a diary that describes the symptoms, and when and where they occur.

Your diary could include information about whether the symptoms occur: after you have taken a herbal medicine. Peanuts and tree nuts are among the most common foods to cause severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) which is life threatening. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:

• floppiness in young children

If you, or someone in your care, have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), call 911 for an ambulance.

Do not stand or walk

Administer an adrenaline injector (EpiPen® or Anapen®), into the outer mid-thigh, if available. Further adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes. Give adrenaline first, then asthma reliever puffer, if required.

For all allergies, the immune system reacts to specific allergy triggers known as allergens. The immune system produces antibodies that detect the allergen and cause inflammatory reactions and the release of a chemicals including histamine.

Histamine causes hives, and other allergic symptoms

The proteins that trigger an allergic reaction can be present in a range of foods, and you may have an allergic reaction to foods containing that protein. For this reason, some people are allergic to the same trigger in cashews and pistachios. This is known as cross-reactivity.

Speak to your doctor about cross-reactivity because it is difficult to predict.

In addition to peanuts, a wide range of tree nuts can also cause allergic reactions in some people. These include, but are not limited to: walnuts.

The most common type of seed allergy is to sesame, although other types of seed, such as sunflower and poppy seeds, can also cause allergies. Allergic reactions to eating coconut, a large seed, are rare.

However, an allergic reaction ( ) caused by contact with coconut, and cosmetics and products containing coconut, is more common.

Peanut, tree nut and seed allergies are difficult to predict, so visit your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. is needed into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of food allergy.

If you have allergic symptoms, visit your doctor who will ask some questions about your allergic reactions.

You can also discuss the diary record of your symptoms

To diagnose your allergy, your doctor may refer you to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist who can using a number of methods, depending on the type of potential allergy. To test for an allergy to peanuts, tree nuts and seeds, the specialist might: ask you to temporarily avoid all nuts or products containing nuts (elimination diet), then follow up with the introduction of nuts back into your diet (food challenge) under strict medical supervision.

A number of methods claim to test for allergies but have not been medically or scientifically proven. They can be costly and could lead to dangerous avoidance of certain foods. The American Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) recommends that you do not use to have potential allergies tested.

These methods include:

• Vega testing. for allergies. The only treatment for food allergies is to avoid the food that causes your allergy. Even if you are careful
• it is difficult to avoid all contact with a specific food

If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction and you have been prescribed an adrenaline injector (such as an EpiPen or Anapen®), the American Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) recommends that you have an.

If you are not at high risk and have not been prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector, ASCIA recommends that you have an Adrenaline autoinjectors are also available over the counter from pharmacies.

To assist with food avoidance, people with food allergies need to become familiar and comfortable with reading food labels.

ASCIA has fact sheets to help you understand how to read food labels and Inaccurate diagnosis can lead to expensive and ineffective treatments, and unnecessary food avoidance, which can lead to malnutrition and food aversion, especially in children. Always speak to your doctor about your food allergy diagnosis and treatment options.

If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), carry an adrenaline injector such as EpiPen® or Anapen® and a mobile telephone.

Are: Lay the person flat – do not allow them to stand or walk. Administer adrenaline with an injector (such as an EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the outer mid-thigh.

Always dial 911 to call an ambulance in a medical emergency

Further doses of adrenaline may be given if there is no response after 5 minutes. Give adrenaline first, then asthma reliever puffer, if required.

If you are at risk of a severe allergic reaction, make sure you: Have an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.

Carry an adrenaline injector (such as an EpiPen® or Anapen®) to treat a severe allergic reaction. Consider wearing medical identification jewellery – this increases the likelihood that adrenaline will be administered in an emergency. Avoid medication (where possible) that may increase the severity of allergic reaction or complicate its treatment – such as beta blockers.

Avoid the food that causes your allergic reaction

Tell food staff about your allergy when eating out.

Seek medical advice from a doctor or clinical immunology/allergy specialist

Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts and seeds seeds and nuts Symptoms of peanut, tree nut or seed allergies vary and range from milder reactions to anaphylaxis , a severe allergic reaction.

Symptoms of nut allergy include raised red bumps on the skin ( hives Food allergies Symptoms of nut allergies Each person’s immune system Some people have negative or adverse reactions to food (such as headache or bloating) that are not caused by allergies. These can be caused by factors such as food poisoning raised red bumps on the skin – hives (urticaria) swelling of the lips tingling of the throat and mouth itchy skin and rash runny nose tightening of the throat digestive symptoms – cramps, stomach pain Keep a record of nut allergy symptoms Diagnosing an allergy inside your home, outside or both for a short time or longer at night, during the day or when you wake up after you have had a particular food or drink Severe allergic reaction – anaphylaxis difficult or noisy breathing swelling of the tongue swelling or tightness of the throat difficulty talking or a hoarse voice wheeze or persistent cough persistent dizziness or collapse Causes of nut allergies hay fever almonds brazil nuts cashews hazelnuts hickory nuts macadamia nuts pecan nuts pine nuts pistachios contact dermatitis More research Diagnosis of nut allergies test for allergies do a skin prick test do a blood test Unproven methods to test for allergies non evidence-based methods cytotoxic food testing electrodermal testing hair analysis iridology kinesiology pulse testing reflexology Always speak with your doctor if you are thinking of using a complementary medicine or therapy Treatment for nut allergies ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for the brand of injector you have been prescribed ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions what to avoid if you have a peanut, tree nut or seed allergy Emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions Emergency responses for a severe allergic reaction Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital Your GP (doctor) NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. (616) 555-0024 – for health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) St John Ambulance United States Tel.

(616) 555-0400 American Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Peanut, tree nut and seed allergy Locate a specialist Allergy and Anaphylaxis United States .

Key Points

• is different and peanut, tree nut and seed allergies can cause diverse signs and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe
• Mild allergic symptoms that can occur before a severe allergic reaction include: , nausea or vomiting
• Keep a diary that describes the symptoms, and when and where they occur
• Your diary could include information about whether the symptoms occur: after you have taken a herbal medicine
• Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include: paleness and floppiness in young children