Nut Allergy

[Harrriet]

I did Google this question but they didn't really answer it.

If someone with a nut allergy wears a mask, is it OK to be in the same room with others who may have eaten nuts.

Why would they need to wear a mask - do they have an airborne nut allergy?

Surely that will depend on
-how sensitive the person is

• whether there are traces of nuts on peoples hands etc, and the allergic person touching the same thing g.

She is worried that if someone has eaten something with nuts in and is in the same room, will she have an allergic reaction.
There may not be an answer of course.

I’ve got a very severe nut allergy and it does make me anxious about being around people eating the nuts I’m allergic to because nuts are often roasted and oily and those oils get on things which I might too touch like door handles. I carry an epi-pen everywhere. What is the reason for your question?

If I were the individual I would speak to my Dr to discuss the severity of my allergy and then seem some counselling on how to manage it.

Presumably there is a good reason why airlines sometimes ask passengers not to eat nuts on board because another passenger has a nut allergy……

My DD has an anaphylactic level of nut allergy and she is fine if someone in the room has had nuts.
I have heard awful stories of reactions from shared keyboards and someone kissing someone who had eaten peanut butter so I think it varies wildly.

Best to check with doctor because it is very much a "how long is a piece of string" question

We live with severe allergies in our house.

More context is needed before I can answer your question fully.

However another poster has noted - it’s not always about the particles being airborne. It’s people not washing their hands, touching other things, hugging you etc.

If they can be avoided then avoid the nuts.

If it’s flight there are ways you can reduce risks. Announcements on board, eating only your own food, wiping down the arm rests and tray with an antibacterial wipe.

How old is the person in question? I ask because my child has a nut allergy and used to be extremely anxious around nuts. She had some skin prick tests done and although she did have a small skin reaction to the nuts we expected, the whole process actually relieved her worries because i think previously she had assumed she would die if she touched a nut.
If it is a child you are talking about then I would definitely recommend talking to a paediatric allergy specialist if you can.

Does she never go on public transport/out in public ever? Is it a recent worry?

We wouldn’t run out of a room if someone had nuts in them - we would move away though if possible.

However if we were for example eating out and someone at the table next to us had a dessert with nuts this would not be problematic.

We have a nut free home. For safety but also so that my dd is comfortable in her own home.

And just to add - people who don’t live with allergies in their life won’t understand.

It doesn’t stop us doing things - however, imagine knowing that one of the things you need to do every single day to stay alive and be healthy and thrive, could also kill you?

It depends. Nuts can be dusty so there is always an airbourne allergy risk with them.

Personally I don't think a mask would be that effective if someone was highly allergic. They wouldn't be a bit poorly if it triggered anaphylaxis, they'd be blue lighted to hospital, jabbed with adrenaline and possibly having a de-fib used on them.

I would think that she doesn’t understand that people who have so called airborne reactions are generally having an anxiety response.