Hazelnuts
Hazelnut allergy is well documented. The recorded symptoms include anaphylaxis, angioedema, asthma, breathing problems, dermatitis, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal problems, eczema, itching, migraine, oral allergy syndrome, rhino conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urticaria, vomiting.
Although some people are have problems with hazelnuts alone, others react to peanut and/or other tree nuts as well (3). Cross reactivity between hazelnuts and other foods and pollens has been recorded. For example:
- Eriksson et al found that of those with birch-pollen allergy 53% reported hypersensitivity to hazelnuts in contrast to 7% of those without pollen allergy (2).
- Vocks et al found the degree of cross-reactivity among kiwi, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, hazelnuts, and rye grain to be very high in those studied but the degree and exact type of cross reactivity varied (5).
Other hazards of hazelnuts include:
- Eating large amounts of hazelnuts can lead to an increase in nickel intake which potentially could lead to aggravating symptoms usually identified by the individual as being caused by nickel (4).
- Hazelnuts have a relatively high Salicylate content which could cause problems in anyone sensitive to Salicylates in food or medicines (2). [ For more information on salicylates please check the articles in the section on Salicylate Sensitivity.
(1) Eriksson NE Food sensitivity reported by patients with asthma and hay fever. A relationship between food sensitivity and birch pollen-allergy and between food sensitivity and acetylsalicylic acid intolerance. Allergy 1978, 33:189-96
(2) Eriksson NE, Formgren H, Svenonius E. Food hypersensitivity in patients with pollen allergy. Allergy 1982, 37:437-43
(3) Ewan PW Clinical study of peanut and nut allergy in 62 consecutive patients: new features and associations. BMJ 1996, 312:1074-8
(4) Flyvholm MA, Nielsen GD, Andersen A. Nickel content of food and estimation of dietary intake Z Lebensm Unters Forsch 1984, 179:427-31
(5) Vocks E, Borga A, Szliska C, Seifert HU, Seifert B, Burow G, Borelli S. Common allergenic structures in hazelnut, rye grain, sesame seeds, kiwi, and poppy seeds Allergy 1983, 48(3):168-72.
(2) Eriksson NE, Formgren H, Svenonius E. Food hypersensitivity in patients with pollen allergy. Allergy 1982, 37:437-43
(3) Ewan PW Clinical study of peanut and nut allergy in 62 consecutive patients: new features and associations. BMJ 1996, 312:1074-8
(4) Flyvholm MA, Nielsen GD, Andersen A. Nickel content of food and estimation of dietary intake Z Lebensm Unters Forsch 1984, 179:427-31
(5) Vocks E, Borga A, Szliska C, Seifert HU, Seifert B, Burow G, Borelli S. Common allergenic structures in hazelnut, rye grain, sesame seeds, kiwi, and poppy seeds Allergy 1983, 48(3):168-72.