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Symptoms of an Allergy to Almonds

Although 40 percent of Americans think they're allergic to some foods, fewer than 1 percent are --- intolerances are much more common. Among allergies, nut allergies cause the most deaths. You might have experienced symptoms at some point when you ate something containing almonds, but was it an allergic reaction? How can you tell if you are allergic to almonds? If you are, what can you do?

  1. Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

    • An allergic reaction to almonds can be very severe, including a sudden inability to breathe. Allergic reactions can be mild, including congestion, rash and/or watery eyes. A moderate reaction includes difficulty breathing and/or itchiness, rash and even hives. A severe reaction consists of abdominal cramps, labored breathing and vomiting.

    Difference Between Allergy and Intolerance

    • Many confuse an allergic reaction with the symptoms of food intolerance. A true allergic reaction involves a reaction by the intestines and skin and occurs within two hours of ingesting the food. Food intolerance is a gastronomic response rather than an immune system response; symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, heartburn, headaches and diarrhea. Any amount of intake (a trace as small as 1/44,000th of a nut) can trigger an allergic reaction, whereas intolerances require a certain amount of intake to produce a response.

    What is an Allergic Reaction?

    • Foods that typically cause reactions are protein based, which the body sometimes misconstrues as being invaders. The immune system responds by releasing histamines and antibodies to expel the allergen from the body. Depending on where the histamine is released impacts the location of the reaction. A combination of locations is possible for outbreaks and don't necessarily relate to the location of intake or application.

    What Causes Allergies?

    • An allergy to almonds, as with all food allergies, can be inherited. It's more likely to occur during youth --- some allergies will disappear in adulthood. New allergies can appear at any time; repeated exposure makes them more likely. Some ingredients occur in many foods so they are more likely to trigger allergic reactions: eggs, wheat, corn, dairy and soy are likely allergens for this reason.

    What Can be Done?

    • Elimination of almonds is of course key. This can be complicated because not all products have ingredient listings and some disguise it under an alternate name or not list it at all. Almonds can also be found in cosmetic products such as lotion, shampoo and conditioner; application to the skin can also trigger a reaction. Be familiar with alternate names such as Prunus dulcis or Amygdalus dulcis. Visit the link in Resources for a list of home remedies that might help. And take heart: in some cases, eliminating exposure eventually eliminates the body's allergic reaction.

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