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32 million Americans suffer from food allergies. Fortunately, many flareups and reactions can be avoided with diligence and preventive care. But people who have nut allergies have an added burden to bear, since the number of foods that actually contain nuts in some form may surprise you. Below, a few of these foods—as well as how to prevent and treat a reaction—are discussed in more detail.

Foods to Avoid

Avoiding items like peanut butter, trail mix, and most candy bars is an obvious part of preventive care when you have a nut allergy. But there are many nonobvious foods to also steer clear of. Some of the hallmarks of various Asian cuisines—including eggrolls, pad thai, and several sauces—contain nuts or are cooked in peanut oil. Vegetarian meat substitutes often utilize nuts to give the products a bulkier, meatier texture. Also, condiments such as hot sauce, chili sauce, and salad dressing often sneak in some type of nut or nut oil. Even candies that do not contain nuts as an ingredient are likely produced in facilities where nuts are used in other products by the same manufacturer; the danger of cross-contamination is not worth the risk.

Preventing & Treating a Reaction

preventative careWhile peanuts and tree nuts are not the same, often people who are allergic to one are allergic to the other. This is an issue to discuss with a doctor to ensure you are proactive in your preventive care and understand the extent of the allergies.

To stop a reaction, get in the habit of reading all ingredient labels carefully. When dining out, inform your server of your allergy and follow their recommendations. If you're ever in doubt about a product or a menu item, avoid it.

Know the symptoms of a reaction. In mild cases, you might experience runny nose or eyes, hives or skin redness, or itchiness or tingling. More serious reactions will involve swelling—especially around the mouth, neck, and throat—difficulty breathing, and extreme stomach cramps or vomiting. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction in which the airways constrict, the throat swells, the heart races, and one’s blood pressure plummets.

For a mild case, symptoms sometimes go away on their own, but you should always get checked out by a doctor if you're concerned about a reaction. For a serious reaction, seek medical attention immediately. You may need to carry an epinephrine autoinjector in case of emergency; epinephrine counteracts the reaction by constricting the blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.

 

For allergy testing, treatment, and preventive care, trust Santiam Hospital. Since 1953, they have been treating patients throughout Oregon's Mid-Willamette Valley, striving to keep their equipment state-of-the-art and their wait times short. Visit them online to learn more about their services or call (503) 769-2175 to schedule an appointment today.

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