Asthma describes a long-term lung disease characterized by the inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs. Asthma commonly occurs due to respiratory infections, airborne allergens such as pollen or dust, or allergies. An allergy occurs when the cells of the immune system respond to a substance that fails to affect most people. An allergic response causes a runny nose, sneezing, itchy, swelling, rashes or asthma. Many different nuts trigger an allergic response that can contribute to the onset of asthma.
Tree Nuts
A nut is a hard-shelled fruit of a plant. Although nuts provide important nutrients, tree nuts are also one of the most common causes of allergies, affecting approximately 1.8 million people in the United States, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Tree nuts include many of the nuts commonly eaten such as cashews, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, chestnuts, hazel nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts and pistachios. Other less commonly known tree nuts include the beechnut, ginkgo, shea nut, butternut, hickory, chinquapin, lychee nut and pili nut. Tree nut allergies usually begin in infancy or childhood, and only approximately 9 percent of those affected grow out of the condition, according to the Food Allergy Initiave. If you suffer from a tree nut allergy, consuming a nut can trigger an immune response that causes the airways to swell, leading to asthma.
Peanuts
Although peanuts sound like they belong to the family of nuts, they are actually classified as legumes -- plants that contain seed pods split into two halves. In addition to peanuts, the legume family includes beans, peas, lentils and soybeans. Legumes serve as a significant source of protein, dietary fiber and essential minerals. Peanut allergies cause allergic reactions that contribute to asthma. They also have the potential to trigger severe allergic reactions that can lead to anaphylaxis -- a life-threatening condition.
Food Sources
In addition to avoiding the actual nuts, you must also avoid any foods containing the nut, the oil of the nut or the protein of the nut. Nut proteins can commonly be found in cereals, crackers, cookies, candy, chocolates, flavored coffees, frozen desserts, energy bars, marinades, barbecue sauces and even cold cuts. Confections such as marzipan and nougat may also contain nut proteins or nut oils. Ethnic restaurants, such as those offering Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai or Indian food, often use nut oils to prepare their foods. If you suffer from a nut allergy, you must also take caution when ordering foods in places such as ice cream parlors and bakeries, as the risk for cross-contamination runs high. Nut oils may also be used in non-food items such as soaps or lotions.
