Nut Allergy

A nut allergy, as with any food allergy, is the body's response to the ingestion of a substance for which it has a sensitivity (in this case, nuts).

Common signs of a nut allergy can include swelling of the tongue, lips, throat, face and other body parts, abdominal pains, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, lightheadedness, hives, eczema, itching and tingling inside the mouth. The symptoms can depend on the type of food behind the allergy.

In severe conditions known as anaphylaxis, life-threatening symptoms such as rapid pulse, loss of consciousness, airway constrictions that lead to loss of breath, and shock with a significant drop in the blood pressure levels are all possible. When any of these symptoms occur, it's vital to seek medical attention immediately.

If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts (peanuts, cashews and walnuts for instance), and foods that contain nuts is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, as with other foods, nuts can be found in numerous food products where you might not expect them.

Therefore, it's important to check the ingredients listed on the label before you use a product. In addition, because manufacturers occaionsionally change recipies, check the label each time you use the product. Many prepared foods, including baked goods, candy and ethnic foods, can also be contaminated if products containing nuts are prepared in the same place or by the same manufacturer. Always be prepared for this possibility and the potential risk of a reaction.

In those cases when allergic reactions are severe, your physician may suggest that you keep epinephrine on hand. In the case of the most dangerous allergic reactions, Epinephrine (adrenalin) is often used as an emergency medication. The form of delivery is most often an EpiPen, which is a self-injectable shot of epinephrine.

Nuts and nut oils are found in countless foods and topical ointments/creams. They are also the leading cause of fatal and near-fatal food allergy reactions. Unfortunately, nut allergies are not as rare as they were once thought to be. According to U.S. and British studies, their prevalence has doubled over the last decade alone.

For a thorough understanding of nut allergies and how to deal with the consequences, try reading How To Live With A Nut Allergy, an excellent resource if you or a loved one is faced with a nut allergy.