Strawberries and tree nuts are among the more common foods that can cause food allergies. Tree nuts include foods such as cashews, almonds, pecans and walnuts, and they should not be confused with peanuts, which are actually legumes and not nuts. People can be allergic to one or both of these foods, and anyone with allergies should check product labels carefully to see whether strawberries and tree nuts are on the ingredient list.
Definition
Allergies to strawberries and tree nuts are immune system reactions that occur shortly after eating the foods. Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, reports that the immune system usually defends against substances that may be harmful to the body. In the case of food allergies, the immune system goes into overdrive and produces antibodies and histamine in response to foods that are usually harmless.
Symptoms
People with strawberry, tree nut and other food allergies can face a variety of symptoms. The Mayo Clinic reports that people who are mildly allergic to any of these foods may experience a tingling in the mouth, hives, itching, eczema, wheezing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, nasal congestion, trouble breathing, or swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat or other body parts. People with extreme allergies to strawberries and tree nuts may face an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, and emergency treatment is critical. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include a tightening of the airways, shock with a severe drop in blood pressure, rapid pulse or loss of consciousness.
Diagnosis
Sometimes people confuse intolerance to certain foods with a true allergy, but doctors have a number of ways to determine if you are allergic to strawberries and tree nuts. Be prepared to give a detailed history of your symptoms and any other allergies, and let the doctor know about any family history of allergies. You may be asked to keep a food diary or eliminate strawberries and tree nuts from your diet for a week or two before adding them again one at a time. A physical can rule out other possible medical issues, and skin prick tests and blood tests can check your body's response to the suspect foods.
Timeline
Food allergies often begin in childhood, according to Medline Plus, but allergies to strawberries and tree nuts can start in later years, too. Many young children who develop food allergies will outgrow them by the time they are five years old, if they avoid the foods during their preschool years. However, allergies to tree nuts tend to last a lifetime. Medline Plus reports that in the United States, fewer than 1 percent of the population have true allergies, although many people experience intolerance to foods such as corn, dairy products and wheat.
Treatments
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is only one way to avoid allergic reactions to strawberries and tree nuts---do not eat them. If you do eat some by mistake, treat minor reactions with antihistamines to help minimize the symptoms. If you are prone to severe reactions, carry an epinephrine autoinjector, commonly called an EpiPen. These devices provide a single dose of epinephrine to counter the effects of an anaphylactic emergency. Follow the first-aid treatment with a trip to the emergency room.
