Reaction Registry

Browse for Reaction To:

Tree Nut

Age: 6
Allergen: Tree Nut
Symptoms: Sickness, Tickle in my throat, swollen throat
Where: Home

What’s the Story?

Before I knew I had an allergy to tree nuts, my dad and I went shopping one day and bought a bag of cashew nuts. After I ate a few, my throat started closing up, but I wasn't sure if it was a reaction, I just though a bit of the nut had been stuck in my throat. Things got worse quite quickly and I started have difficulty breathing. My mum called the ambulance then, and I was rushed to hospital. I was fine afterwards, but I was told I have a severe nut allergy, and I had to carry and EpiPen. I am glad I learned that I need to avoid tree nuts so I can prevent an allergic reaction happening in the future.

How could this have been prevented?
I was lucky that I was with my parents when it happened and they knew what to do. As this was my initial reaction, I don't know how it could have been prevented. Since this incident I have been very careful not to eat tree nuts and have not had further allergic reactions.

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Age: 18
Allergen: Tree Nut
Symptoms: Itchy and swollen lips, tongue and throat
Where: Relative's House

What’s the Story?

I was at a friend's house right after returning home from the holidays, and we were having a get together dinner with his group of friends who were visiting. Since my friends are aware of my allergies, the pesto that was in the fridge was always nut free. His friends offered to cook dinner for everyone else, and mentioned they were making a pesto sauce. I asked what kind of pesto they were using, and they told me the one in the fridge. I took a bite from the pasta and immediately felt a strange itch and tingle feeling in my throat. I looked in the fridge and saw that they bought a new jar of pesto just to make the dinner, and there were pine nuts as well as walnuts listed as ingredients.

I immediately called an ambulance but was too scared to use my auto-injector before they arrived. My throat and tongue felt swollen, as well as the rest of my face and I had trouble breathing. Once I got to the hospital, my lips suddenly doubled in size and my throat began to close. The doctors rushed me in with just enough time to give me an injection before my throat closed, but it was a close call.

How could this have been prevented?
When others are cooking for you, it's best to physically look at the ingredients that are being used, instead of assuming the usual brand is being used. Also, watch out for pesto! Most pestos contain at least pine nuts, and sometimes walnuts. It is also very important to not be afraid to use your auto-injector right away (especially after ingestion) when you suspect that you're having a reaction, since it is much harder to reverse it the longer you wait. My doctor told me I was lucky to be okay after waiting so long to give myself an injection.

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Age: 14
Allergen: Tree Nut
Symptoms: Swollen tongue, swollen throat, itchy mouth, vomiting
Where: Relative's House

What’s the Story?

One year on Christmas morning my mom had purchased a new candy treat for my aunt and uncle. After they opened the present they decided to open the bag and share them with the whole family. My mom checked the ingredients and told me that they were safe. I put the candy in my mouth but instantaneously I knew something was wrong. My tongue began to feel all weird and my mouth was itchy. All of a sudden I had the urge to be sick and started vomiting. My mom grabbed the package of candies again and realized she had missed the word "hazelnut". Instead of giving me my auto-injector, my mom drove me straight to the hospital. On the car ride to the hospital, I distinctly remember that I was losing my voice and I felt my airway was becoming constricted. Everything turned out to be okay after being monitored at the hospital.

How could this have been prevented?
I really should have double-checked the ingredient list. Reading the ingredients slowly and carefully is the best way to ensure a slip-up does not occur. Furthermore, my mom should not have panicked. It would have been a better idea to administer the auto-injector right away and then call 911.
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