My Experience with a New Nut Allergy in My 30s

By Becky Abrey

My journey began a few months ago after enjoying satay chicken. Suddenly, I started feeling strange—my lips tingled, my mouth felt swollen, and I just didn’t feel well at all. The reaction lasted about half an hour, but it was enough to scare me. I had always experienced a slight tingle when eating nuts, but I never thought much of it. This reaction was different, so I contacted my GP.

We talked through what had happened, and yep I am allergic to nuts! He advised me to stay away from all tree nuts and peanuts. I have never been a huge fan so I didn’t think this new allergy would bother me too much. Little did I know! I later spoke with my dermatologist, who explained that the medication I take for my main condition lowers my immune system, making it possible for my body to develop new allergies. In this case, my body chose nuts. Months have passed since my diagnosis, and aside from spending weeks searching for pesto without cashew nuts, my life hadn’t changed too much. I simply asked for nut-free options when dining out and checked labels. No problem! That was until last Saturday.

I visited a lovely café with my mum and asked which cakes were nut-free. The waitress checked with the kitchen, provided the allergen book, and did everything possible to ensure a nut-free experience. No blame lies with them. Unfortunately, within minutes of eating, I started reacting. This time was worse. I felt faint and dizzy, my tongue swelled to the point where I couldn’t close my teeth together, and I developed a deep red rash across my chest and neck. My throat, eyes, mouth, and skin itched intensely, and I felt truly unwell. My mum rushed me to the hospital, where I was quickly treated with a high-dose antihistamine while they monitored me. I feel lucky—my tongue didn’t swell further, I had people around me when I reacted, and thankfully, it wasn’t worse.

Now, I carry EpiPens with me at all times and am teaching my friends and family how to use them in case I can’t. My life has changed dramatically since that day. I feel unsafe eating out, and I think it will be a while before I feel brave enough to try again. I’ve come to realize just how extensive the risk of cross-contamination is, and for those of us with nut allergies, the dangers of eating or drinking outside the home are significant. I’m sharing my story to raise awareness of the challenges nut allergy sufferers face, including the real dangers of cross-contamination and the threat of anaphylaxis. It’s crucial for venues to be allergy-aware, as even a small oversight can lead to serious consequences. For those of us living with nut allergies, these concerns fundamentally change how we approach food and dining out. Understanding and vigilance can make a world of difference in ensuring a safe experience for everyone.

If you have concerns or would like advice, please contact https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/