A crunchy overload of roasted almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts can be such a pleasure on your ice creams. Isn’t it? But for many, it could be a troublesome reaction, a nut allergy in just minutes after having them. A runny nose, profuse itching, swelling, and other symptoms that arise immediately after having nuts could confuse you over what’s happening. But if you’ve experienced it a couple of times and still wonder what it is, you probably have nut allergies.
Nut Allergies Symptoms:
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Look at the symptoms mentioned below. If you relate to any of them, we’ve got some ways to help you through.
- Anxiety
- Itchy, watery, or swollen eyes
- Continuous sneezing
- Dizziness or fainting
- Stomachache
- A drop in blood pressure
- Wheezing
- Throat tightness
- Tingling of the throat and mouth
- Throat tightness
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Itchy skin with raised bumps
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling of the lips
- Runny nose
Is It Nut Allergy?
Although there are many types of food allergies, nut allergy is one of the most common among both children and adults. If you’ve noticed that every time you pop in a nut only to find yourself with these symptoms, it is a nut allergy. Nut allergies usually last a lifetime, with 14% of children having a tree nut allergy and 20% of them with a peanut allergy.
Although it’s hard to avoid the fact that they’re a treat to the taste buds, it’s heartbreaking to have a nut allergy attack, for they’re such rich sources of nutrients. Here are some of the common nuts that most people are allergic to. Let’s talk more about them.
- Cashew
- Pistachio
- Almonds
- Seeds
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes… They’re all different from one similarity. ‘They’re food that we consume’. Nonetheless, here we have something that you’d want to know about peanuts. Although peanut has the word nut in its name, it’s actually a legume. While it grows underground and is not a tree nut. However, what’s surprising is people with a peanut allergy have similar allergic reactions as those with a tree nut allergy. Another common seed allergy is with sesame seeds. While other seeds like sunflower and poppy seeds are also seen in people, sesame is the most prevalent especially in children.
Peanut, tree nut and seed allergies are usually difficult to diagnose. So, if you have one tree nut allergy, you could be allergic to other nuts or peanuts too. It is important to let your doctor know about your allergy to an accurate diagnosis.
Nut Allergies And The Immune System – What’s Causing It?
The body rejects foreign elements as a natural reflex. Similarly, when you’re allergic to nuts your immune system mistakenly identifies them as harmful entrants and launches an attack against them. It releases histamine, which reacts with the allergens resulting in allergies in various parts of the body.
There are different types of allergic reactions and they differ from person to person. Here are a few common allergic reactions seen in people with nut allergies.
- Digestive problems that show up through nausea and vomiting.
- Respiratory distress such as anaphylaxis and asthma where the throat and airways get blocked.
- Severe skin reactions.
Immediate Steps:
- Help the person lay flat on the floor and do not allow them to move.
- If you have prescribed medication for their allergy do not wait to administer.
- Call an ambulance immediately if the reaction is severe. Avoid medication such as beta-blockers as they can trigger the allergic reaction to be more severe.
- Always keep a stock of antihistamine medication prescribed by the doctor.
