Patients With Nut Allergies Struggle to ID Nut Types

PHOENIXMore than 3 million people in the United States report being allergic to peanuts, tree nuts or both; however, only half of those can accurately identify what the nut they are allergic to looks like, according to a study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting.

To test the theory, researchers assembled a nut display that held peanuts and nine tree nuts in 19 different forms. A worksheet that listed the items was completed by 1,105 participants age 6 years or older. Responses were analyzed based on demographics, presence or absence of food allergies, and occupational history. Neither adults nor children recognized all the forms of the nuts.

Since the primary treatment is to avoid nuts, children and parents must be able to identify peanuts and tree nuts in their common forms, say the studys authors. Treatment of nut allergies with dietary avoidance should include education for both adults and children on identification of peanuts and tree nuts," wrote the researchers.