Causes and Effects of Nut Allergy

Causes and Effects of Nut Allergy NUT ALLERGY INTRODUCTION: 1.1 What is an allergy? When exposed to certain foreign substances, a reaction takes place in our immune system which is referred to as allergy [1]. Population of more than 25% in industrialized countries suffer from allergies [2]. These reactions are exaggerated because these foreign substances are recognized as harmless and no response takes place in non-allergic individuals. Most of the allergies are hypersensitive immune responses to these foreign substances. A substance that causes allergy is known as an ‘allergen’ [1]. Allergens include dust mites, foods, molds, pollens, animal dander, insect stings, medicines, etc. [2, 3]. Allergens may be ingested (swallowed or eaten), inhaled, injected into the body or applied to the skin. Most of the allergens are harmless and so majority of the individuals are not affected by them. In the modern world allergy is one of the most wide spread diseases. Allergy can vary in many ways like different individuals show various symptoms of allergies which can be moderate (runny nose) to extreme (anaphylaxis) [2]. 1.2 The Immunology of Allergies: Our body is protected from pathogens and other foreign substances by our immune system which produces a glycoprotein known as immunoglobulin (Ig) or antibodies from B-cells or plasma cells. The antibody involved in allergic reaction is Immunoglobulin E (IgE). There is overproduction of IgE during allergic response [2]. 1.3 Food Allergy: An abnormal response triggered by the body’s immune system to a food is known as food allergy [4]. Food allergy is different from food intolerance, toxin mediated reactions and pharmacological reactions [4]. 2.4-3.7% of adults are affected by food allergy [5]. Various fruits like peach, apple including peanut and tree nut are the most common foods which elicit a reaction. The most common cause of food allergy is anaphylactic reactions. Different studies have shown that food allergy has various hea lth related issues which has a negative impact on individuals. Food allergy is the major cause of life threatening hypersensitivity reactions [5]. The most common foods that elicit allergy reactions include: Fish Milk Egg Soy Wheat Peanut Treenut To prevent further reactions related to food allergy we need to avoid allergenic foodstuff [6]. 1.4 Nut Allergy: Individuals affected by nut allergy experience a large variation in the intensity of their allergic reactions. Nut allergy is majorly seen in children. Peanuts and tree nuts mostly cause life threatening food allergic reactions. Life of children and adolescents can be severely compromised by nut allergy. Patients dying from nut anaphylaxis suffered from multiple nut allergies. Symptoms related to nut allergy have specific IgE to more than one nut [5]. Types of Tree Nuts: Almonds Cashew nuts Filberts Brazil nuts Chestnuts Walnuts Pistachios Pecans Hickory nuts Macadamia nuts Hazelnuts [7] Nut allergy can produce: Swelling (angioedema) Asthma symptoms Vomiting Swelling in the throat, causing difficulty in swallowing or breathing A tingling feeling in the lips or mouth An itchynettlerash (urticaria, hives) Diarrhoea Cramping tummy pains Unconsciousness and faintness [8] 1.5 PEANUT ALLERGY: The most common and the leading cause of food allergy in children and adults is Peanut allergy. Peanut is a cheap source of protein. Therefore, peanuts are used mostly in protein rich food products [9]. 1 in 50 children and 1 in 200 adults suffer from this allergy. It is the most likely food to cause death and anaphylaxis [10].