Many people associate tree nuts and peanuts as being the same thing and think that if a child is allergic to one; they are allergic to all of them. This is not necessarily the case since peanuts are actually classified a legume rather than a nut. However there is the possibility that if they are allergic to peanuts that they may in fact develop a tree nut allergy as well but this should not be just assumed.

Tree nuts belong to different botanical families so it is possible for them to be allergic to one type of nut and not to another but because of the risk for cross contamination most doctors recommend that all nuts should be avoided.  A tree nut allergy is a response to the protein in a particular nut or in all nuts, and can include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, walnuts, macadamia nuts, as well as nut butters, nut oils, and natural extracts.

You will need to read labels as nuts are increasingly being added to a variety of different foods including cereals, ice creams and crackers. Be sure to continue to read the label each time, while your favorite product may have contained no nuts the last time, manufacturers are occasionally changing ingredients in an effort to improve their products, and an allergen food may have been added to a food you always buy and you would not know it till it was consumed and too late.

Cross contamination is a real issue in nut allergies, especially for baked goods, candy and ethnic foods. If a food that contained nuts was processed on the same equipment it can easily contaminate a food that would not otherwise have any nuts in it. For those that are very sensitive this contamination is enough to cause a reaction. Tree nut are also often used in lotions, shampoos, and cosmetics so you will need to check labels frequently on these products as well.

Tree nut allergies tend to be rapid onset and severe so for many patients it will be necessary to carry an EpiPen with them wherever they go. Even if you think that you are being careful, accidental exposure can happen anywhere and at anytime so it is best to be safe as tree nut allergic reactions can be very severe.