Tree nut and peanut allergies are the two leading causes of fatal and near-fatal allergic reactions in North America. Eating raw, unprocessed and unprepared nuts can cause a reaction in anyone suffering from tree-nut allergies. Those with more severe allergies also respond to nut oils, cooked or prepared nuts, products containing nuts and even foods that come into contact with nuts. For those with milder allergies, however, reactions may only arise from the protein allergens in raw nuts.
Severe Reactions
If you have a severe tree-nut allergy, eating raw nuts is extremely dangerous. Reactions will set in within minutes of eating, or coming into contact with, even small amounts of nuts. Shortly after exposure to raw nuts, you may experience hives throughout your body, sinus troubles, breathing difficulties, stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea. If you do not receive immediate treatment, this can progress to a life-threatening, full-body allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. As symptoms vary with exposure, the type of nut and the amount that you eat, you should seek medical attention even if your previous reactions haven't been severe.
Mild Reactions
For people with severe allergies, reactions can occur with any type, preparation or amount of nut. As the protein allergens in tree nuts are more potent in their raw form, however, raw nuts are more likely to elicit a severe reaction. If you experience reactions only to raw nuts, you may have a milder nut allergy. While symptoms of a mild allergy are similar to those of a severe allergy, they tend to pass quickly and are not likely to be life-threatening. If you eat excessive amounts of raw nuts, however, you may trigger an anaphylactic response even if you have a mild nut allergy.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
If you experience only mild discomfort after eating raw nuts, you may suffer from oral allergy syndrome. The symptoms of this condition arise from tree pollen and lead to tingling, itching and swelling on your lips and in your mouth and throat. If you respond in this way to a variety of raw nuts, seeds, fruits, legumes and tree pollen, your raw nut allergy is likely due to oral allergy syndrome. If your symptoms differ from this and arise only from a certain tree nut or nut family, however, it is more likely that you suffer from a mild nut allergy.
Prevention and Treatment
Always read labels and avoid any foods that may contain or come into contact with nuts. If you have a severe allergy, always carry an EpiPen with you and avoid unsealed or unpackaged foods. For milder allergies exclusive to raw tree nuts, briefly heating nuts can eliminate enough of their protein allergens to prevent a reaction. While the same recommendations apply to people with oral allergy syndrome, both prescription and non-prescription antihistamines are often sufficient to allow you to continue enjoying raw nuts. As reactions and their causes vary, however, consult your doctor before attempting any of these preventative strategies.
References
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Food Allergy
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States; May 2011
- Calgary Allergy Network; Tree Nut Allergies; Antony Ham Pong, M.B., B.S.
- PubMed Health: Anaphylaxis
- Calgary Allergy Network; Oral Allergy Syndrome; Antony Ham Pong, M.B., B.S.
- Vickerstaff Health Services Inc.: Allergenicity of Foods
