Everything You Need To Know About Nut Allergies - Health Digest

The list of nuts a person with a nut allergy should avoid can be pretty extensive, as tree nuts include almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, beechnuts, butternuts, shea nuts, pili nuts, Nangai nuts, macadamia nuts, lychee nuts, chestnuts, ginkgo nuts, and hickory nuts. Additionally, per FARE, other common and unexpected ingredients to avoid include nut extracts — although artificial extracts are usually safe — nut liqueurs, gianduja, marzipan, nut butters, flours, milks, paste, meals, and oils, pesto, and praline.

Furthermore, due to the risk of cross-contact in manufacturing facilities and restaurants (which is when nut allergens come in contact with a food that wouldn't typically contain nuts), FARE warns that tree nut allergens can also be found in cereals, cookies, candy, energy bars, dressings and sauces, bakeries, ice cream and coffee shops, and some cuisine-specific restaurants (such as Chinese, African, Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese). Lastly, depending on your allergy severity, you should also steer clear of beauty products containing nut oils such as walnut, almond, and argan oils, which can be found in lotions, soaps, shampoos, and other hair care products.