Can you develop a nut allergy in your late thirties ?

[Joolsiam]

Hi

Have been trying to be healthy and snacking on an M&S pack of nuts when hungry at work - for 2 days last week, I had no issues (and I have no allergies or history of allergies in the family)

2 days running this week, my throat has swollen up after eating a couple of handfuls - not scary, but definitely not right. The second time, it lasted for ages. Today, I had the same cereal I've been eating every morning for 2 weeks - same reaction that is still here at lunchtime - swollen, scratchy throat and some discomfort when swallowing. Between times, I haven't had a problem.

Common them - I ate all the brazils and walnuts in the packet last week, leaving just hazelnuts and almonds. Checked my cereal just now and that also contains hazelnuts and almonds.

Could I really and truly be developing an allergy this late in life, or is this just co-incidence and I'm coming down with a sore throat ? I'm not sure whether to try and avoid nuts in future / go to the GP or just get a grip and stop being a hypochondriac !!

Well I have developed something called "oral allergy synddrome" which is connected to hayfever, in my twenties. When I eat certain fruits or nuts, I get symptoms similar to you. Information here

Not sure if it's what you're experiencing though?

You can develop allergies at any time of life.

Yes - I have exactly the same as aunty and it started in my late twenties.

Hazelnuts always bring out a similar reaction to yours, as do almonds. I'm also allergic to a number of fresh fruits. It's all to do with the body confusing proteins in the fruits and nuts with pollens.

The reaction is never serious enough to warrant hospital treatment but a bad one can be very uncomfortable so I'm very careful to have antihistamines on me.

my sister now carries an epipen and has serious peanut allergy, which did not manifest till she was in her 20's, so YES, you could be allergic

sounds like oral allergy syndrome to me. I have it - developed in my twenties. Amost never results in anaphylaxis - most common allergy in adults. I can no longer ear apples pears peaches plums any berries macadamia nuts hazlenuts and so on. Common in people who have early hayfever (tree pollen) - eg March-May. Treatment: avoidance, and antihistamines if accidentally ingested. HTH.

I had all sorts of allergies as a child, grew of them. Got pregnant and suddenly was allergic to:

1. peanuts
2. got asthma again
3. latex

I have developed oral allergy syndrome too - only for certain months of the year (though I can eat the fruit I am allergic to if I blitz in the microwave for a few minutes first).

I have lost my long standing hayfever though (yippee) but instead get very very itchy hands in the summer in hayfever time (not so yipee).

My friend developed a serious nut allergy in his late 20's which went again 10 years later!

Gaaaah the allergy nurse in my office said that I've got oral allergy syndrome - and only recently as well - I've been getting lumps on my tongue when I've eaten an apple. Tried a plum today - same thing - its because I'm allergic to birch trees (the whole hayfever thing). Booooo. Apparently its heightened in pregnancy (am 22 weeks) Ho hum. Chips for me!

Thanks for the responses

I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it and avoid almonds and hazelnuts the one and only time I've experienced hay fever symptoms, it was because I was out gardening early in the Spring, so that all fits.

SausagenMash - interesting about the pregnancy thing - I got to 12 weeks, then miscarried in Nov - I wonder if that made it get worse ? and before anyone asks, I know I can't be pregnant now, despite wishing to be, as I've only just got back to normal plumbing following the MC !

yes I developed a nut allergy in my thirties

anaphylactic response to hazelnuts resulting in near collapse and extreme breathing difficulties. Also I developed oral allergy syndrome to all raw soft stone fruit like peaches and plums, plus raw apples, pears and some tomatoes and occasionally cucumber. I used to love fresh fruit as a child and last time I eat cherries my lips puffed up a la Leslie Ash!

yes......I have developed many allergies in the last couple of years, main one being to milk, which I have been drinking quite happily up until I turned 33!!

last bloods deemed me allergic to hazlenuts, also, I have had those happily until recently.

I have had other allergy symptoms tho from childhood............so being an allergic-type person kind of pre-disposes you to allergies later IYGWIM.

you have to go and see your gp and get a referral to a consultant and some proper tests done. Allergies to fruits rarely result in anaphylaxis, allergy to nuts does. It is possible to anaphylactic reactions to fruits.

You need proper advice from someone who knows about allergies and that rules out most gps.

yes I did suddenly develop a nut allergy out of nowhere aged 32, when my neck suddenly swelled up massively in the middle of a dinner party and I couldn't breathe.

My GP referred me to hospital, where they did blood tests which revealed.... nut allergy. Whootpitoo. I used to like Snickers too.

If your main symptom is "itchy throat" then you might not find your GP is that interested TBH. Mention obstructed airway and they suddenly perk up like anything.

What is it with nuts? Theyre just round little inoffensive bundles of nutrition.
Why are these things so dangerous?

If anything should be deadly and to be avoided at all costs then it should be sprouts. How anything so fowl can be good for you I have no idea.

Anyone allergic to sprouts?
I thought not.

I am allergic to hazelnuts, almonds, raw apples pears, plums etc. It started of as hayfever triggered by birch tree pollen, and each year something else gets added to the list of things I can't eat. Cooked fruit is fine.

A friend has the same allergy and has to carry an epipen. My GP hasn't suggested this for me but I'm going to ask about it as my reaction is worse each time.

Good luck

You should go and get tested Joolsiam. My dd developed a peanut allergy at 4. She had eaten peanuts lots of times in the past and now she can't even have foods that have been made in a factory that contains peanuts.

This article here about the presenter Kate Silverton is quite interesting I think. She felt a bit sick ten years ago after eating some prawns and thought no more about it. She ate prawns again in the next 10 years and then had a severe reaction.

those of us who have lived with this a while can tell you that avoidance isn't the sole answer. However hard you try sooner or later there will be a reaction so you need to be prepared for it when it comes. As a minimum that means liquid antihistamine available all the time.

ZOMG Joolsiam... (1) get some fexofenadine prescribed by your GP, and (2) get yourself referred to an allergy specialist as soon as possible.... (though TBH there are about 3 in the whole of the NHS so you'll be bloody lucky to get to see one, unless you live in Cambridge)

I developed oral allergy syndrome in my late 20s and went in the space of a few weeks from birch-pollen hayfever and an itchy eye when I ate pears, to full-blown anaphylaxis happening every time I went near anything from the Rosaceae (apples plums pears cherries almonds etc). It's important to work out just what you can go near... carrying an EpiPen (which your GP can prescribe) has saved my life a few times in the last 4 years....

Am definitely going to get it checked out now - I had similar, but more extreme symptoms last night and at lunchtime - the common denominator was fresh bread with poppy seeds