What is Nut Allergy and its Cure
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 231, Word Count: 738,
Nut allergy is a type of food allergy. What is nut allergy and its cure has been explored in recent times only. Research shows that nut and peanut allergy affects almost 1.1 percent of the American population. In some cases the allergy has taken its toll over victims thus forcing the government to ban nuts from schools and airplanes.
We know that an allergy is an over-reaction of our immune system to an allergen. In the case of nut/peanut allergy the allergen is the protein in peanut or any tree nut like – walnut, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, Brazils, and pistachios. When the body comes into contact with peanuts or tree nuts the immune system becomes prepared to fight thus releasing histamine. Over production of histamine in the body leads to allergic reaction.
Nut allergy is becoming a common form of food allergy. Unlike other food allergies it rarely recedes with time.
The symptoms of nut allergy range from intense to mild. In some cases it takes place if the person has consumed the nut, while in other cases it can occur even if the person next to you is eating the nut. In most severe cases of nut allergy the person suffers anaphylaxis which is life threatening. Some of the common symptoms of nut allergy are:
- Tingling in lips and mouth
- Swelling in the face
- Hives
- Nettle Rash
- Stomach ache
- Inflammation of Throat
- Redness of skin
- Faster heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting or Dizziness
How can nut allergy be diagnosed?
Nut allergy can be diagnosed with the help of tests like skin prick test, blood tests like ELISA or RAST, and by going through the medical history of the patient. In case you feel that nuts or peanuts cause allergic symptoms then you must note down the symptoms over a period of time and discuss with your physician. If the doctor feels then he will send you to an allergist for further diagnosis.
What is nut allergy and its cure can only be best told by your doctor since every case requires a different treatment.
Can nut allergy be cured?
Till date no treatment for nut/peanut allergy has been discovered. Like other food allergies, nut allergy is also incurable. The only way to control nut allergy is to avoid foods with peanuts and nuts.
If you want to prevent allergy from nuts then identify foods that contain nuts. Here are some tips to prevent allergy from nuts and peanuts:
- Check food labels to see whether the ingredients include any nut or related product.
- When eating in restaurant specify that you are allergic to nuts and thus care should be taken to avoid cross contamination. Ask that your food should be entirely free fro nuts.
- In many cuisines like Thai, Indonesian, etc, food is cooked in nut or peanut oil. Try to avoid such foods.
- If your child has nut allergy then you must inform the school about the allergy so that he or she is not served anything with nuts.
Now when you know what nut allergy is and its cure it is easy to take care of your allergy and conditions that can nut allergy.
About the Author
Allergist Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote