Are you someone who loves to add pine nuts to your favorite dishes? Or are you someone who has a seed allergy and is wondering if pine nuts are safe to consume?
Whatever your situation may be, it’s important to understand the facts about pine nut allergies. While pine tree allergies are relatively uncommon, there are two main allergens of concern that come from pine trees.
In this article, we’ll explore whether or not pine nuts are considered an allergen and what you need to know to stay safe.
So, let’s dive in!
Are Pine Nuts Considered An Allergen
Pine nuts are technically seeds, but they are classified as a type of tree nut by the FDA. This classification can be confusing for those with a seed allergy, as some seeds such as sesame, sunflower, and poppy seeds have been known to cause allergic reactions.
However, according to Food Allergy Research and Education, people with a seed allergy may be able to eat pine nuts. It’s important to note that everyone’s allergies are different, and it’s best to speak with an allergist to determine if it is safe for you to consume pine nuts.
It’s also important to understand that a pine nut allergy is a type of food allergy. This occurs when the body’s immune system wrongly identifies a food as a threat and releases chemicals such as histamine in response. This release of chemicals causes allergic symptoms.
Tree nuts, including pine nuts, are one of the top 8 most common food allergens. For individuals with a tree nut allergy, it’s important to avoid tree nuts and tree nut products. This means carefully reading ingredient labels to ensure you avoid any potential allergens.
It’s also important to note that individuals at risk of having severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, may be prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (epi-pen) and should carry it with them at all times for immediate treatment.
What Are Pine Nuts?
Pine nuts are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees. They are commonly used in a variety of foods, including Italian pesto and pignoli cookies. Pine nut consumption has increased due to its use in the Mediterranean Diet.
Pine nuts are produced by pine trees when they reproduce in the springtime. While pine tree allergy is relatively uncommon, there are two main allergens of concern that come from pine trees: pine nuts and pine pollen. Pine pollen can travel very long distances in the air, making it a potential allergen for those with allergies.
It’s important to note that while pine nuts are technically seeds, they are classified as a type of tree nut by the FDA. This means that individuals with a tree nut allergy should avoid consuming pine nuts and any products containing them.
There is limited information on potential cross-reactivity between pine nuts and other nuts. Some studies have shown cross-reactivity of pine nuts with peanuts and almonds, but not all individuals who are allergic to other nuts will also be allergic to pine nuts. Clinical judgment is needed to determine if someone with a severe tree nut or peanut allergy can safely consume pine nuts, and an allergist should be consulted for evaluation.
Pine Nut Allergy Symptoms
The symptoms of a pine nut allergy are similar to those of other tree nut allergies and can range from mild to severe. Mild to moderate symptoms may include nettle rash (also known as hives or urticaria) anywhere on the body, a tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth, swelling of lips, face or eyes, and stomach pain or vomiting.
More serious symptoms of a pine nut allergy can be referred to as the ABC symptoms and can include swelling in the throat, tongue, or upper airways (tightening of the throat, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing), which can lead to anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is the most serious type of allergic reaction and can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis generally include two or more of the following body systems: respiratory (breathing) such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain/tightness, throat tightness, hoarse voice, nasal congestion or hay fever-like symptoms (runny itchy nose and watery eyes, sneezing), trouble swallowing. Other symptoms can include anxiety, sense of doom (the feeling that something bad is about to happen), headache, uterine cramps, metallic taste.
It’s important to note that if you have an anaphylactic reaction, even if it is mild, it won’t go away on its own. It’s crucial to treat it immediately with epinephrine auto-injector and seek medical attention.
How Common Are Pine Nut Allergies?
While pine nut allergies are relatively uncommon, they do exist. Pine nuts are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees and are used in a variety of foods, including Italian pesto sauce and pignoli cookies. Pine nuts are evolutionarily separated from flowering plants, to which all other nuts belong, such as peanuts and tree nuts like walnut, hazelnut, cashew, and pistachio.
There is limited information on potential cross-reactivity between pine nuts and other nuts. Cross-reactivity happens when the immune system sees similar protein structures in different allergens. One study showed cross-reactivity of pine nuts with peanuts, and another showed cross-reactivity of pine nuts with almonds. Some people who have had anaphylaxis to pine nuts are also allergic to other nuts, while others are only allergic to pine nuts but not to tree nuts or peanuts.
A recent review in the Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology indicates that the great majority of pine-nut-allergic people do not have nut allergy. Therefore, whether pine nuts should be avoided in people who are allergic to other nuts can only be decided by clinical judgment. If tree nut or peanut allergy is severe, individuals can be evaluated by a board-certified allergist using skin prick testing and potentially a supervised oral challenge in the doctor’s office to determine if it is safe to consume pine nuts.
Pine Nut Cross-reactivity With Other Allergens
Cross-reactivity occurs when the immune system reacts to similar proteins found in different allergens. Pine nuts have been known to cross-react with other allergens such as peanuts, almonds, and pine pollen. However, the extent of cross-reactivity between pine nuts and other allergens is still being studied.
According to allergist John Leung, MD, there is little information on potential cross-reactivity between pine nuts and other nuts. One study showed cross-reactivity of pine nuts with peanuts, while another showed cross-reactivity of pine nuts with almonds. However, there are reports of people who had anaphylaxis to pine nuts who are also allergic to other nuts, and there are people who are only allergic to pine nuts but not to tree nuts or peanuts.
In a case study, a young boy had several episodes of anaphylaxis after consuming pine nuts. Specific IgE to pine nut and Artemisia vulgaris was demonstrated by skin prick tests and in vitro determination of specific IgE, although no IgE to pine pollen or other nuts was detected. Immunoblotting of Artemisia vulgaris and pine nut revealed two matching diffuse bands, just below 14 kDa and 30 kDa. The ImmunoCAP® inhibition assays showed complete inhibition of pine nut specific IgE after serum incubation with Artemisia vulgaris extract. This is the first reported case of documented cross-reactivity between pine nut and Artemisia vulgaris.
It’s important to note that each individual’s allergies are unique, and cross-reactivity can vary from person to person. If you have a known allergy to any type of nut or pollen, it’s best to speak with an allergist about the potential for cross-reactivity with pine nuts. They can evaluate your symptoms and determine if it’s safe for you to consume them.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Pine Nut Allergies
If you suspect you may have a pine nut allergy, it’s important to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist allergy clinic for further testing.
The diagnosis of a pine nut allergy typically involves a medical history review and physical examination by an allergist. The allergist may also suggest skin prick tests, blood tests, and food challenge tests to help diagnose the allergy and determine its severity.
It’s important to note that even if your symptoms were mild, it’s still essential to get a referral because it can be challenging to tell if future allergic reactions could be more serious.
Once diagnosed, the treatment for pine nut allergy may involve avoiding all pine nut products. This means carefully reading food labels and asking questions when eating out. It’s also crucial to be aware of potential cross-contamination in shared kitchen spaces such as restaurants and take extra precautions when eating in these environments.
For individuals with severe allergies, oral immunotherapy (OIT) may be an option. OIT gradually exposes the patient to small doses of the allergen over time, desensitizing the body and retraining the immune system to decrease adverse allergic reactions. The treatment is approximately 85% effective when performed by a skilled clinician who specializes in food allergy treatment.
In some cases, patients undergoing OIT may also be prescribed Xolair: an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody that helps suppress allergic reactions.
It’s crucial to work with a doctor or dietitian to ensure that any elimination diets are done safely and correctly. If you experience severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, it’s essential to call for emergency medical help immediately and administer an adrenaline injector such as EpiPen or Anapen into the outer mid-thigh.
Tips For Avoiding Pine Nut Allergens In Food
If you have a pine nut allergy, it’s important to take precautions when it comes to your food choices. Here are some tips for avoiding pine nut allergens in food:
1. Read ingredient labels carefully: Pine nuts can be found in a variety of foods, including Italian pesto sauce and pignoli cookies. Always read ingredient labels carefully to ensure that the food you’re consuming doesn’t contain pine nuts.
2. Be aware of cross-reactivity: While there is limited information on potential cross-reactivity between pine nuts and other nuts, it’s important to be aware of the possibility of cross-reactivity with peanuts and almonds. If you have a severe nut allergy, it’s best to avoid pine nuts altogether.
3. Ask questions when dining out: When dining out, always ask your server about the ingredients used in dishes that may contain pine nuts. It’s important to communicate your allergy to the restaurant staff to ensure your safety.
4. Avoid bulk bins: Pine nuts are often sold in bulk bins at grocery stores and markets. These bins can be a source of cross-contamination, so it’s best to avoid them if you have a pine nut allergy.
5. Choose alternative ingredients: If you’re looking for a substitute for pine nuts in recipes, consider using sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead.
6. Carry an epinephrine auto-injector: If you have a severe pine nut allergy, it’s important to carry an epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times for immediate treatment in case of an allergic reaction.
By following these tips, individuals with a pine nut allergy can safely navigate their food choices and avoid potential allergens.