NUTS

Nuts are one of the most common food allergies in the US. An allergy to one tree nut does not necessarily mean a person is allergic to other tree nuts, but certain tree nuts are closely related, including cashew with pistachio and pecan with walnut. While an allergy to tree nuts is not the same as an allergy to peanuts, there is some overlap with as many as 40% of peanut allergic individuals having an allergy to tree nuts.

Peanuts are not nuts; they are legumes. However, many peanut products are processed in the same facility as tree nuts so there is a risk of cross-contamination of peanuts with nut products. Nuts can be eaten as is, but they are also found in a variety of foods.

Main symptoms associated with nuts

• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, wheezing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Itching skin
• Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, etc.
• Skin conditions such as eczema and urticaria

Main types of nuts and main foods containing nuts

• Almond
• Brazilian nuts
• Cashew nuts
• Chestnut
• Hazelnut
• Macadamia nuts
• Pecan
• Pine nut
• Pistachio
• Walnut

Foods that may contain nuts

• All foods containing nut extract
• Barbecue sauce
• Black walnut extract
• Candy, chocolate
  Cereal
• Cookie
• Energy bar
• Flavored coffee
• Granola
• Ice cream
• Marinade
• Pie crust
• Vegetarian Burger or Meat substitute
• Marzipan/almond paste
• Nut butter
• Nut meal, nut milk, nut oil
• Nutella