Why Are People Allergic to Nuts?

If you have a nut allergy, your immune system sees certain proteins in nuts as a threat, even though they’re harmless to many people. Your body reacts by trying to fight off these proteins.

In many cases, once you experience exposure to nut proteins, your body produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). The next time you encounter nuts, these antibodies make some cells release chemicals like histamine.

This release leads to allergy symptoms ranging from mild itching to severe, life threatening responses like anaphylaxis.

You might wonder why your body reacts this way while others can eat nuts without any issues. Genetics can play a major role. If allergies run in your family, you’re also more likely to have them.

Environmental factors can also influence whether you develop an allergy. For example, your risk may increase if you experience exposure to certain foods too early or too late in life.

Nut allergies are especially difficult because they tend to be ongoing, and even small traces of nuts can cause a reaction. Many people carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) in case of accidental exposure.

There’s currently no cure for a nut allergy, but with careful planning and awareness, you can still live a full, active life.