Overview
A nut allergy is an abnormal response to nuts by the body’s immune system. An allergic reaction can result in symptoms ranging from bothersome to life-threatening. People with an allergy to nuts need to avoid all foods and cosmetic products that contain nuts or ingredients derived from nuts. This diet requires diligence because nut ingredients are included in a wide range of products.
Nut Allergy Facts
Allergies to peanuts and tree nuts are some of the most common food allergies, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Peanuts actually are legumes, but tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, filberts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts. Some people are allergic only to certain types of nuts, such as peanuts or almonds, but others might be allergic them all.
Symptoms
An allergic reaction to nuts can begin immediately after eating the food or not for several hours, as explained by Net Doctor. Symptoms might include an itchy sensation in the mouth or throat, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, irritability, sneezing, congestion or runny nose and wheezing. More serious symptoms include swelling of the face, mouth or throat; asthma; and a rash or hives, which can become severe.
Peanut allergies are among the most serious food allergies, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A reaction to peanuts is more likely than other food allergies to result in anaphylactic shock, a potentially fatal condition that causes narrowed airways and heart malfunction.
Foods to Avoid
People with a nut allergy must avoid not only the specific nuts involved in their allergy, but also oils, butter, pastes, extracts or flour derived from those nuts. Additionally, they have the challenging task of avoiding all foods that contain ground nuts or ingredients derived from nuts. Ingredients associated with nuts might not be obvious on the food label. Hydrolyzed plant protein and hydrolyzed vegetable protein, for instance, might be derived from peanuts. Marzipan, nougat, gianduja and artificial nuts are derived from nuts. People allergic to filberts and hazelnuts must avoid natural wintergreen extract. Additionally, people allergic to nuts must avoid all candy, cookies, crackers and other baked goods that might include ground nuts, nut butter or nut oil. Cereal, ice cream and frozen yogurt also might contain nuts or nut products.
Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination can occur during food processing involving nuts. Many allergists advise individuals with a specific nut allergy to avoid products listing any type of nut as an ingredient because of cross-contamination, according to the Cleveland Clinic. People allergic to nuts must avoid processed foods with labels stating the foods are made on equipment that also processes nut-containing foods, which can be a factor in cereals, candy and baked goods.
Eating Out
Eating out can be difficult for people on a nut allergy diet. It’s best to eat fresh meat, vegetables and fruit along with dairy products, and to avoid processed and mixed foods. Many ethnic foods, particularly Asian and African, tend to contain hidden nut products and oils, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Children’s Hospital Boston notes that chili and spaghetti sauce might contain peanut flour as a thickener. You’ll need to make sure your food isn’t cooked in peanut oil and that any baked goods do not contain nut products.
About this Author
Shelley Moore is a journalist and award-winning short story writer. She specializes in writing about personal development, health, careers and personal finance. Moore has been published in “Family Circle” magazine and the “Milwaukee Sentinel” newspaper, along with numerous other national and regional magazines, daily and weekly newspapers and corporate publications. She has a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
