Patients of all ages can experience allergic reactions after eating almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios and other nuts. While tree nut allergy treatment is often associated with allergies diagnosed in childhood, some people in Atlanta don’t notice symptoms until they’re older. So, why do some tree nut allergies go undetected until adulthood? Here are the facts you need to know about adult-onset tree nut allergies.
Can You Get a Tree Nut Allergy as an Adult?
Adults can absolutely develop tree nut allergies, though they do so less frequently than children. Even if you’ve eaten tree nuts throughout your life, your immune system could become sensitized later in life. Let’s examine how this process occurs.
Why Adult-Onset Tree Nut Allergies Happen
Tree nut allergies develop when the immune system becomes sensitized to a protein found in specific nuts like almonds, cashews or walnuts. This process can happen at any age, and is the result of factors like repeated exposure to tree nuts, changes in gut health, viral infections and hormonal changes.
People With Existing Allergies May Be at Higher Risk
Individuals with other allergies, asthma or eczema typically have a more reactive immune system. While having another allergy doesn’t guarantee you will develop a tree nut allergy, it’s a risk factor that your allergist will consider. Even if you’ve been diagnosed with an allergy, repeat food allergy testing may be necessary if you develop new symptoms or react to a different allergen.
Why Symptoms Can Seem to Appear Suddenly
Some adults may have become sensitized to proteins in tree nuts, yet mild symptoms could have simply gone unnoticed. Over time, changes to the immune system cause reactions to become more noticeable. For others, sensitization occurs later in life due to repeated tree nut exposure, hormonal changes and other factors.
How to Know if You’ve Developed a Tree Nut Allergy
If you’re concerned that you’ve developed a tree nut allergy later in life, pay attention to symptoms like hives, swelling, itching and stomach issues. It’s important to then schedule an appointment with an allergist rather than self-diagnose. Your allergist can consider these symptoms and use skin prick testing or blood testing to diagnose or rule out an allergy.
Ways to Manage a Tree Nut Allergy Later in Life
Adult-onset tree nut allergies can vary in severity, ranging from very mild symptoms to severe responses and anaphylaxis. Allergists may recommend avoidance after testing, and develop a comprehensive food allergy treatment to reduce or prevent symptoms. For some patients, oral immunotherapy is an effective option for desensitizing the immune system to tree nut proteins.
Best Tree Nut Allergy Testing and Treatment in Atlanta
Food allergies can affect people of all ages, causing allergic reactions and even anaphylaxis. For dependable help with tree nut allergy testing and treatment, visit one of our Atlanta-area allergy centers. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment.
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