Pistachios are tiny tree nuts that belong to the mango nut family, the same as cashew nuts. The affected individual usually develops this allergy early in life and it persists for life. The allergy will arise even when there is exposure to minute quantities of pistachio.
People with pistachio allergy will get affected within the first two hours after exposure; they may suffer from coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. Others may go through bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, and others may get asthma-like symptoms and hives or rashes. There are cases where such allergies can threaten the life of an individual due to severe anaphylaxis, and in these cases there is difficulty in breathing, swelling of the throat, tongue and face, and tightness in the chest.
Symptoms of pistachio allergy
Here are some of the symptoms exhibited by someone who has pistachio allergy:
Tingling in the tongue and lip area
Pistachio allergy can cause serious symptoms in the upper respiratory tract. The patients will get watery eyes, and they will be quite itchy. Others may have a lot of itching in their throats making them cough or have the feeling of coughing. Others may develop dark circles under the eyes due to irritation of the sinuses and also a runny nose.
Skin reactions such as hives and eczema
Although other skin reactions such as rashes may occur, people with pistachio allergy commonly suffer from hives and eczema.
Hives are characterized by raised bumps on the skin, which a red and itchy. They can move from one area only to reappear after a few hours and also change their shape; hives may also spread to other body parts. They are commonly found on the back, mouth, hands and abdomen. The intensity of the allergy determines their size and number.
Eczema is a skin rash which appears as red blotch red skin. There is inflammation and itchiness, and they have tiny elevated lumps which scab and ooze. This occurs behind the knees or on the hands.
Asthmatic symptoms are also common in people who have pistachio allergy. Tree nuts can affects people with actual asthma and those who only have the allergy. These symptoms cause tightness in the chest and throat which brings about difficulties in breathing; these include coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. These symptoms can be severe and life-threatening, and can affect you for most of the day.
Gastrointestinal issues also develop in people with pistachio allergy; these include cramping, stomach pain vomiting and diarrhea. When the nuts are vomited, there may some small relief from the allergic reaction.
Other sever reactions to pistachio will include swelling of the throat, which constricts the airways and causes severe breathing problems, swelling of the lips tongue and face, some level of dizziness. In some cases, people will develop anaphylactic shock, which is a life-threatening condition, which definitely require immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis causes breathing problems, swelling of the airways, high heart rate, low blood pressure, chock, decreased attention, abnormal heart rhythm and even loss of consciousness.
Pistachios allergy: methods of exposure
Generally, pistachio allergy will affect people who have a family history of allergies; people with disorders such as eczema and asthma may also develop this allergy.
The most likely way that people get exposed to pistachios is unintentional consumption; if you eat some products from the supermarket, you should check and see if they have pistachio products in them.
One can also get exposed through inhalation of pistachio particles, leading to n allergic reaction. When someone breaks a cookie that has pistachio in it, the particles can be inhaled causing the allergic reaction. If you also inadvertently pass by a pistachio processing factory, you could inhale these particles.
Although it is not well documented, there is no empirical evidence showing that contact with pistachio can cause an allergic reaction, but one should simply be careful.
Treatment of pistachio allergy
There is no treatment for pistachio allergy; the treatment includes managing the resultant symptoms and also prevention of exposure to the nuts in the first place. Medications can be used to treat both mild and severe symptoms of pistachio allergy when taken immediately.
A patient with minor hives should just let them clear on their own. If you do get them, you should avoid taking showers and baths, or wear rough clothing, since this just increases their itchiness. One can use over the counter antihistamines to reduce the swelling and itchiness.
People who have mild eczema symptoms can also use anti-itch lotions, topical antihistamines and hypoallergenic creams that will reduce the itchiness and swelling.
Severe symptoms are also treated through the use of topical steroids. People with severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis must have an epinephrine injection on them at all times. A patient should try and avoid all forms of pistachio by being careful about what they eat.
