We all know that Texans love good food, and the culture around it in our state is huge. While barbecued brisket may come to mind first, many Texans do enjoy tree nuts—except those who live with tree nut allergies. Tree nuts are a common allergen, known for the potential for severe anaphylactic reaction. But there are many ways to manage this food allergy so that you and your family can enjoy the many tastes available in the Lone Star State.
What Are the Best Ways to Manage Tree Nut Allergies?
Managing any food allergy can seem to be a difficult task, especially if you try to tackle it alone. Advances and improvements in allergy medicine make getting help easier than ever before. It’s important to seek proper professional care for tree nut allergies, as the risks associated with them can be severe.
Seek Allergy Testing
Working with a food allergist is the first step in successfully and safely managing a tree nut allergy. These specialists work with you to create a personalized treatment plan focused on your specific needs. This process begins with a consultation and food allergy testing.
Allergy testing is important as it helps you truly identify which nuts are causing the negative reaction, and what foods, supplements and substances you’ll need to approach with caution or avoid altogether. There are various types of tests available including blood tests, skin prick tests and monitored oral food challenges.
Tree Nut Avoidance, Preparedness and Vigilance
One way to manage tree nut allergies is through avoidance. Working with your allergist, you can determine the nut varieties causing symptoms, and avoid specific nuts (or all of them). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulations surrounding the top nine food allergens, and producers must label these items on their packaging. For tree nuts, that means the specific variety, i.e., almonds, cashews, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, etc., has to be mentioned on the food label’s allergen warning section.
Paying attention to labels while shopping and cooking is truly important. And when you’re eating out in a restaurant, make your server aware of your allergy, but always be mindful that cross-contamination does occur in commercial kitchens. Additionally, FDA labeling does not address most types of alcohol. Before enjoying that refreshing beverage, make sure nuts were not part of the brewing, fermentation, aging or drink mixing process.
Keep in mind that many hygiene, health and beauty products like lotions, deodorants, body butters and creams also contain nut oils and extracts. Depending on the severity of your allergy, you’ll need to avoid these products as well.
Awareness is vital when it comes to living with food allergies, and so is preparedness. Because anaphylaxis is most common with peanut, shellfish and tree nut allergies, carrying at least two epinephrine auto-injectors with you (or made very easily available to your affected child) is a must-do task.
Treatment Options
Tree nut allergies may seem scary, especially for families with young children. The great news is that treatment options are available to reduce reactions, and even to create a tolerance to any allergenic substances.
Although treatment plans vary, options include oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Both of these are desensitization techniques that reduce the impact of tree nuts on your system. These treatments help patients live safe, healthy lives with fewer allergic incidents.
Get Innovative Tree Nut Allergy Treatment in North Texas
You can live better even with tree nut or other food allergies. Dr. Mireku of TexasAllergyMD is one of the few experienced, board-certified food allergists in McKinney/Prosper and Southlake ready to help you with a personalized treatment plan. Call us today at (469) 375-1525 or request an appointment.
