Nut allergy
From Ganfyd
The term nut is often used loosely and any nut allergy should be clarified. Peanuts are, strictly speaking, legumes rather than true nuts and are in the same family as soya beans and and lentils (and beans and peas!). Many other 'nuts' are part of the tree nut family, including almonds and cashews (drupes) as well as hazelnuts, walnuts, macadamia, pistachios, chestnuts and brazilnuts.
The precise allergens vary between individuals and in some cases the same allergen may be found in more than one species of nut.[1]
The main concern is life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Medicines that contain 'nut':
- Arachis oil (peanut)
- Propofol (soya bean emulsion)
Some makes of orthopaedic bone cement may derive from peanut oil, but manufacturers say that the extraction process does not leave any traces.
The effect of peanut eating in pregnancy and during lactation on the likelihood of allergy to peanuts in the offspring has been discussed at length with no consensus. Arguments that exposure to the antigen might trigger, or might be required to suppress, allergy have been made. Current UK advice is that mothers should eat peanuts if they want to.
