Walnut Allergy Symptoms

Nut allergies are very common. Many people are allergic to almonds, cashew, walnuts, hazel etc. Peanuts are not really nuts but are legumes that are grown underground. It is better to know some of the walnut allergy symptoms in order to get diagnosed at an early stage.

One can develop nut at any point of time in one’s life. The chances of it occurring are more likely to occur when one is three years old. In case, one is allergic to one type of nut, then it is possible that one may be allergic to other nuts as well.

The immune system of one’s body reacts to the allergen present in the nuts. For example, if one is suffering from peanut allergy, it is possible that he or she may also suffer from soya bean allergy.

Symptoms of walnut allergy
Below are some of the top walnut allergy symptoms:

• Itchy eyes
• Rash
• Sneezing or runny nose
• Tingling of one’s lips, mouth or tongue
• Breathlessness
• Problems of digestion such as diarrhea, vomiting or stomach cramps

Serious symptoms of walnut allergy

• Swelling of one’s lips, throat, face. In case, the throat swells it is difficult to breathe
• One suffers from dizzy spells
In case the walnut allergy is very severe, then one’s child can develop anaphylaxis. The airways in the lung tend to get swollen, and it becomes difficult to breathe. It could also lower blood pressure and increase one’s heart rate. One’s child can collapse or fall unconscious.

Causes of Walnut allergy

• Ige antibodies are produced when one comes into contact with walnut. Antibodies usually get released as the body fights against infection. But in the case of walnut allergy, the body reacts to the allergen present in the walnut and produces antibodies. This causes certain cells to be produced termed as mast cells which release chemicals. One of these chemicals is histamine which further causes an allergic reaction in the form of selling or rash
• The exact reason is of course not known

Prevention and treatment of walnut allergy

• Avoid foods that contain walnut such as some chocolates are made of walnut
• Desensitization, for instance, children can be given walnut very early in their diet. In case, the pregnant mother has eaten walnut during pregnancy, then it is possible that the baby who is born may suffer from walnut allergy, when the mother breast feeds
• In case, the child is suffering from other allergies such as eczema or asthma, then he or she is more likely to develop walnut allergy
• One must avoid direct contact with walnut
• One must avoid oils or sprays made of nuts
• In case the attack is severe, then one has to carry adrenalin with them
• It is also better to wear a medical identification band in case the attack is very severe
• In case the reaction is mild then the physician can prescribe an antihistamine

How is walnut allergy diagnosed?
Blood test as well skin prick test are conducted by allergists.

It is quite evident that one must get oneself treated in case one suffers from walnut allergy. Walnut allergy is different from peanut allergy, as the latter does not belong to the nut family.