Nut Allergy: Symptoms, Causes & What to Do

Nuts can be potentially dangerous to a person who is allergic to them. A reaction to an allergy is due to the body's natural defense, which is intended to fight infection. However, when the body detects that a nut protein is an allergen, it responds by attacking the immune system. A person with a family history of nut allergies is more likely to have an allergic reaction as well.

Symptoms

• Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. A person can begin to experience symptoms within a matter of minutes, or it may take up to an hour.

Mild Signs

• If you have mild reactions, your face will start to tingle, your face may swell, you may experience a rash and your throat may tighten.

Severe Signs

• If you are having a severe reaction, you will experience the above mentioned, as well as respiratory difficulties, or your body can go into anaphylactic shock.

Other Reactions

• Other allergic reactions can include hives, nausea and vomiting with diarrhea, and asthma-like symptoms.

Lasting Effects

• A response to a nut allergy may last only a day (for minor reactions). In severe cases, it may require hospitalization.

Response

• If you experience any signs of reaction, immediately go to a hospital; many people may experience a second response up to eight hours after the initial reaction.