Hazelnut is a type of tree nut that can be found in most parts of the world. These tree nuts are very popular among Iranians, especially during Nowruz and traditional Iranian ceremonies such as Yalda night. Hazelnut allergy is one of the most common allergies, and if you are not familiar with its symptoms and treatment methods, it may be dangerous in some cases.
Hazelnut allergy affects about 1% of people in the world. In this article, we are going to discuss the origin of hazelnuts and the symptoms that occur in people who are allergic to it. If you are one of the people who suffer from an allergy to these hearty nuts or there is such a person around you, we recommend that you stay with us until the end of this article.
Where is hazelnut found
Hazelnuts can usually be found anywhere. But usually people go to stores or nut sales centers to get it. Hazelnuts can also be available to you in the following ways, and if you are allergic to hazelnuts, you should be careful.
Hazelnuts can be available in packaged form in stores, in which case you can easily recognize them and avoid consuming them.
- Among other nuts in a mixture
- Between cakes and cookies or chocolate
- in nut oils
- In sweets such as pralines
- It can be mixed in chocolates like Nutella.
Apart from the common ones mentioned, hazelnuts may also be found among other foods. Therefore, in order to avoid allergy to hazelnuts, you should be careful when eating these types of foods.
Symptoms of hazelnut allergy
If you are allergic to hazelnuts or foods containing them, symptoms usually appear immediately after eating them. Below is a list of symptoms of hazelnut allergy from the least severe to the most severe. If any of the symptoms appear, treat it immediately so that it does not threaten you.
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Wheezing or coughing
- Itchy mouth, eyes, skin or any other area
- hives
- Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting and abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
Anaphylaxis (Anaphylaxis is one of the common reactions to hazelnut allergy. This reaction is usually accompanied by shortness of breath and shock to the body. This reaction should be taken seriously, because it may threaten the person’s life.)
Causes and factors of hazelnut allergy
Allergy to tree nuts usually starts in childhood. Especially in people who have a history of family allergies, these sensitivities are more common.
Oral allergy syndrome
This type of allergy, which is also called food allergy syndrome, is a type of sensitivity that people are sensitive to certain types of pollen. These pollens are also found in nuts such as hazelnuts. Therefore, many people who are sensitive to these pollens are also allergic to hazelnuts.
Diagnosis of hazelnut allergy
To diagnose an allergy to hazelnut, doctors usually first check your family allergy history to see which food family members have been allergic to. Also, specialists will probably take skin tests from you. If you are allergic to hazelnuts, there is probably some allergen under your skin. Another way is a blood test that will detect antibodies related to allergens.
Hazelnut allergy treatment
There is no cure for hazelnut allergy. The only treatment is prevention and avoiding eating hazelnuts and foods containing them. To prevent this from happening, most of the food products are labeled “contains hazelnuts”. You should also use nuts that do not contain hazelnuts. If you use packaged nuts, be sure to pay attention to its contents.
In any case, if you eat hazelnuts, you can use antihistamines by injection or oral to treat its symptoms. Our recommendation is to go to the doctor and hospital in case of severe symptoms.
Conclusion
Allergy to hazelnut is one of the most common allergies. Therefore, according to the points mentioned in this article, to prevent the occurrence of allergy symptoms after eating hazelnuts, you should avoid eating them, because this allergy does not have a cure.
If symptoms appear after consuming hazelnuts, see a doctor immediately to prevent more severe symptoms. Going to the doctor will help you to know the level of your allergy to hazelnuts, and with the tests he prescribes for you, you will also know about allergies to other nuts and foods.