Hürriyet Newspaper – December 10, 2020
Nut allergy is one of the most common types of food allergy. Nut allergies, the symptoms of which occur in a very short time, can have very serious effects. The most common cause of allergic shock due to food allergies is nut allergies. Eating nuts isn’t the only reason for a nut allergy. Even inhaling a very small piece of nut can cause allergies.
Stating that people with nut allergy may experience an allergic reaction even if they inhale a very small part of the nut, President of Asthma and Allergy Association Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay made important warnings on this issue.
What are the causes of nut allergy?
Nut allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to the proteins in nuts. The body thinks that it is under threat against these proteins, which are seen as harmful by the immune system, and reacts to this situation to protect itself. As a result of this reaction, an allergic reaction occurs. Even a piece of food you eat or breathe causes this allergy to occur. Nut allergy usually begins in childhood and generally continues throughout life.
What are the symptoms of a nut allergy?
In people with nut allergy; Some symptoms begin to appear after eating or breathing nuts. These symptoms are; While there may be conditions such as skin rash, hives, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, there may also be severe reactions such as anaphylaxis (allergic shock). Anaphylaxis is a serious condition that requires immediate attention. People with nut allergies should have an adrenaline auto-injector with them. Adrenaline auto-injector is a life-saving treatment in cases such as allergic shock.
Nut allergies last a lifetime
Nut allergies and peanut allergies have a lifetime probability of around 90%. Especially nut allergy is very difficult to cure. Nut allergy is a type of food allergy that may be the most common reason for applying to the emergency department due to allergic shock.
Nuts should be banned in public and indoor areas
Nut allergies can have life-threatening consequences, which can cause coma or even death. Inhaling even a tiny bit of a nut can cause an allergic reaction in people with nut allergies. For this reason, it is very important not to consume nuts in public and indoor areas. During the journey; The absence of nuts on airplanes, buses, trains, schools, especially school canteens can prevent serious situations that may occur. The fact that nuts are very common and consumed may cause people with nut allergies to be exposed to nuts without even realizing it. Nuts packages opened in closed areas such as airplanes, trains, and buses can cause people with allergies to inhale nuts and then give severe symptoms. The fact that nuts are sold in school canteens may affect children with nut allergies. Children may accidentally consume the nut they are allergic to or be in a nut-eating environment. For this reason, nuts should not be sold in school canteens.
In environments with long durations such as plane, train and ship travel and where the chance of reaching the ambulance and hospital is low, there may be a delay in emergency response after a child or adult with a nut allergy encounters an allergic food. In particular, the absence of personnel trained in allergic shock or the absence of emergency medications and adrenaline auto-injectors can cause consequences that may cause the allergic person to die. For this reason, it is very important to ban such risky foods on such journeys.
Food allergy and allergic shock first aid treatment training is very important
Food allergy is a common allergy and this prevalence tends to increase over time. Nut allergies, one of the most common types of food allergies, are among the allergies that cause the most serious consequences. The fact that nut consumption is so common poses a danger to those with nut allergies. By informing both staff and passengers about not keeping and not consuming nuts on public transportation vehicles such as airplanes or trains, people with nut allergies can prevent serious symptoms. Nuts should not be sold in school canteens. Because it is life-threatening if the friends of children with nut allergy accidentally offer nuts to the allergic child.
Especially in schools where children with nut allergies attend, school personnel and teachers should be informed in detail. For nut allergy, which can cause allergic shock, school administration, public transportation officials should be trained to apply the adrenaline auto injector.
