Can a grown man suddenly develop a nut allergy? Urgent help please!

[ChippyMinton]

DH is on his way home having spent all morning in casualty. He was snacking on a pack of mixed nuts at work when he got swollen, breathless, sweaty and itchy. He's OK now, pumped full of drugs and has to get some piriton and see the GP.
He has no history of allergies and is very shocked by the whole episode. Can anyone offer any advice please?

Message withdrawn

Yes anyone can be allergic to anything at any time. The more you are exposed to a substance the more sensitive you become to it.

That's interesting Hilllary. I think he's been eating more nuts in an effort to eat better. Does this mean he has to avoid nuts now, does anyone know?

I suddenly developed a non-specific rhinitis at 28. This is a general allergic response to pollen, dust, wine, dogs etc!

My BIL developed an allergy to dairy products when he was in his 40s so these things can happen. Hope your dh is okay now.

My mil developed an strawberry allergy a couple of years ago, first time in her life that she has reacted to anything.

My dd is allergic to nuts but only mildly. I can imagine that a severe reaction like that would be scary. Best wished to dh

Thanks for all your good wishes. Good to hear he's not the only one in this situation.

Bump for more info. Dh is fine, he slept all afternoon. He's got to see the GP. Should he be requesting an allergy test or something to confirm that it was the nuts? Must he avoid all nuts now? Will my DC have to give up nutella and peanut butter? Am i over-reacting LOL? This allergy business is completely unknown territory for us.

I don't think you'll have to give up all nuts but since it was a bag of mixed nuts, he should definitely get an allergy test done to figure out which one was the culprit. Being allergic to one nut doesn't mean they will all be problematic. How old are your DCs? They say to avoid peanuts until after 3 - if they are under that, maybe cut back for now?

It's definitely possible to develop an allergy after childhood and they say that intense exposure (aka suddenly eating LOTS of nuts) can somtimes trigger it.

one of my children has a nut allergy. Yes your partner must avoid all nuts until he has had allergy testing and I'm afraid that itis far easier for the whole house to be nut free. Nut allergies are unpredictable so your partner's next reaction could be fatal, it really isn't worth the risk. He could react to a tiny trace of nut from contamination of food or possibly even from a kiss on the lips from someone who has eaten nuts.

I assume he hasn't been given an epipen yet - he needs to discuss this with his doctor. Your gp can do a blood test for nut allergy but he may not realise he can do it. If your partner tests positive to peanut he may well develop an allergy to tree nuts later. If he is allergic to a tree nut it may be only to one type. Whatever the outcome of his blood test it really is best to see an allergy consultant if you can. There is Government advice that anyone suspected of nut allergy should have a referral but you may need to fight for it.

I'm sorry you have to face this but I have to stress that this is life threatening. Until you have an epipen any exposure to nuts could mean he has only minutes to get help. Piriton may increase the time but it will not save his life. Sorry to frighten you but I've been there and it's better to have the epipen that just have to sit and watch while you pray an ambulance gets to you in time.

Thanks tatt and mezzer. Can anyone point me in the direction of a list of foodstuffs that may contain nuts? I'd like to do a quick check on what's in the larder - jars of pasta sauce, cereal etc., I don't want to make any mistakes until we have an epipen.

Message withdrawn

Not that easy - each supermarket does its own list. If it helps we currently have Sainsburys rice pops and choco hooplas, Quaker Oat Crunch and kelloggs ricicles and co-op malt crunchies. Also some Ragu and Dolmio sauces but I wouldn't guarantee they are all nut free.

Your biggest problems may be ice cream and chocolate. Magnum and Vienetta are OK as is some Carte d'or (possibly most, have only looked at certain flavours). For chocolate think galaxy (but not their cake bars), aeros and kitkat. If he likes dark chocolate Sainsbury do a free from bar that is delicious. Sainsburys and co-op own jaffa cakes are fine as are the proper brand but not all superamrket own brands.

If he has a nut allergy then I'm afraid he may also develop sesame and lupin flour allergies. They are often linked to nut allergy and its worth getting the tests done. Lupin flour isn't yet on labels but will have to be declared soon. Mine does test positive to lupin so until its declared all meals for us are russian roulette.

Joining the anaphylaxis campaign is highly recommended. They do meet ups (usually aimed at children but still informative), a video showing how to use the pen, can help you get a trainer epipen and can offer advice when you need it. Would also suggest a medic alert bracelet or something similar when you know what the problem(s) are.

Its scary at first but you'll get used to it. Once he has an epipen he'll be no more at risk provided you are careful than he would be crossing the road, less if your local drivers are as bad as they are round here