Peanut and tree nut allergies are strongly correlated, with similar symptoms and potential for anaphylaxis. Those with a peanut allergy should also avoid tree nuts, as they are potent allergens and can cause exercise-induced anaphylaxis.
There is a big correlation between a peanut allergy and a tree nut allergy. Although most people discussing food allergies tend to combine peanuts and tree nuts into one, on a basic biological level, the two are quite different. Peanuts are actually legumes and grow in the ground. Tree nuts, which are really nuts, grow on trees and include cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and hickory nuts.
Despite the botanical differences between a peanut and a tree nut, there are some notable similarities for those with nut allergies. First, both peanuts and tree nuts can cause extreme allergic reactions. Second, a person with a nut allergy can have a severe reaction with just the slightest exposure to the offending nut, just like the peanut. Third, typically, where the peanuts are, there will also be the nuts: Common places for hidden nuts are in baked goods, candy, ice cream, and ethnic food. Fourth, both peanut oil and extract, and nut oils and extracts contain allergy-causing proteins.
Thirty to forty percent of people with a peanut allergy usually also have a tree nut allergy. Basic research supports that both peanuts and tree nuts are potent allergens; as a result, they remain the highest among foods that cause fatal reactions. Other research argues that there are some structural similarities between peanut protein and tree nut protein. In general, a person who has a peanut allergy should also avoid tree nuts for fear of developing a tree nut allergy and vice versa.
Typically, a reaction to peanuts is more likely to turn into anaphylaxis than a reaction to tree nuts. Anaphylaxis can appear within seconds of consuming a peanut or, in more rare cases, a tree nut. Symptoms can last up to a few hours. It affects the skin, intestines, blood vessels, heart and respiratory tract of a person who has a peanut or tree nut allergy. Itching, hives, vomiting, cramps, difficulty breathing due to swollen passages, and fainting may occur. At worst, it could cause a deep and deadly shock.
Furthermore, both peanuts – to a greater extent – and tree nuts – to a lesser extent – can cause exercise-induced anaphylaxis. In those cases, a person who doesn’t even know they have a food allergy eats the food and then exercises. The same symptoms seen in normal food-induced anaphylaxis are observed; however, it can take hours after eating a peanut or tree nut. As a result, there is an allergy; but the person may have difficulty determining that she has a peanut or tree nut allergy because of the length of time between eating the food and symptoms of the attack.
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