First nut reaction experiences?

[Lindor2828]

Hoping others can share their experiences...

I gave my 11 month old son a tiny amount of almond butter for the first time last week on a small rice cake. Within ten minutes his nose was streaming, he was sneezing, rubbing his eyes and shoving his fingers in his mouth (not usual for him!). He seemed uncomfortable but there was no widespread rash. I gave him piriton immediately and the symptoms had resolved by about an hour later.

Has anyone else had any similar experiences/mild reactions to nuts? I can't think what else would have caused those symptoms as he has the rice cakes regularly. He hasn't tried any other tree nuts and I won't be giving them until we've had allergy testing.

Is allergy testing likely to be done or was the reaction not "severe" enough? I'm concerned future reactions or exposure to other tree nuts could be worse.

My son’s reaction to tree nuts developed over time as it was only when he was about 13 it manifested, he gets what he calls a slimy throat and coughs. He’s also allergic to fish which caused a much fiercer reaction. Not formally tested but has an epi pen. The tree nuts that are problematic for him are cashews and pistachios

It’s really tricky with allergies. My baby had small amounts of cashew in sauces several times so I thought she was fine, only to go on to have a massive reaction at around 2 yrs. There is basically no knowing what sort of reaction they might have and when. You can have mild reactions lots and suddenly have a severe one. It does sound like your baby had a mild reaction. The streaming nose and itchy eyes is something I’ve noticed with my allergic child. Did he go a bit vacant and floppy afterwards? I would avoid tree nuts and push for an allergy test. You might have to play up the symptoms a bit (maybe include a rash and vomiting) any family history at all mention it. But it’s absolutely better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks for sharing!

Dingleydel he didn't go vacant but he was definitely irritable, coughing and shoving his fingers in his mouth which I assume means his tongue or throat was itching. As I gave the Piriton so quickly I guess I may not know if the reaction could have been more severe than that.

Will definitely push for allergy testing as this has made me very anxious about all tree nuts now, which he may not even be allergic to.

DS2 had some cashew nut pieces on his 1st birthday. He developed lumpy hives on his face, neck and chest. Was very upset, itchy and projectile vomiting. Was ok after some antihistamine, but the vomiting took a while to subside.

He's also allergic to peanuts and pistachios.

My lad is fine with peanuts so I’d definitely push for testing as there can be any combo.

I hope that it is not an allergy but I know about the anxiety of uncertainty and wanted to offer a few suggestions in case they help.

What you’ve described could be an allergic reaction and yes, it can be different each time. You will likely want some combination of testing and trying food at home. I know that it can be scary, but often a child is only allergic to certain types of nuts and it can be beneficial to keep the other nuts in their diet if possible. Start with a referral from the GP and go from there.

If a reaction is severe (as in anaphylaxis), the only medicine that will stop it is epinephrine. It is worth going on the BSACI site and having a look at their allergy action plans. It might help with your anxiety as you can have a plan in place for when to give Piriton and when to seek emergency help.

DS is allergic to peanuts only. He ate a small amount of peanut butter on toast at 14 months and ten minutes later had a red rash round his mouth and wheezing. He's carried EpiPens ever since. He was retested last year at 17, and the consultant said that nuts come in pairs, so if you're allergic to one type of tree nut, there will be another one you are allergic to as well.