is coconut a nut allergy uk

5, 7. Despite its name, coconut is not a nut but a type of fruit known as a drupe. However, in October 2006, the FDA began identifying coconut as a tree nut. This is also confirmed by the Food Allergy Research & Education Network (FARE). The Texas-based Coconut Coalition of American (CCA) … In the UK, shea nut is not considered one of the eight nuts in the ‘tree nut’ group according to EU legislation, and is therefore not a ‘top 14’ allergen. ↑ Tree Nut Allergy. If you have been told you are allergic to coconut but are unsure if a separate coconut allergy test has been carried out, or if you are allergic to one or more tree nuts and don’t know if you are allergic to coconut, we would advise you to ask your GP to arrange for a coconut allergy test. Should people with tree nut allergy avoid coconut? This is also confirmed by the Food Allergy Research & Education Network (FARE). Rare exceptions have been reported in scientific research papers. If you or your child has a severe tree nut allergy, it’s still a good idea to … Coconut is a member of the palm family and only distantly related to tree nuts. There is no reliable shea nut allergy reaction recorded in the medical literature. It is difficult to assess the risk of coconut allergy among those with tree nut allergies because allergic individuals may become wary of coconut and avoid it. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), while it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to coconut, most people who are allergic to tree nuts can safely eat coconut. Here are 15 allergen friendly, safe, nut free chocolate brands that will make your life a whole lot easier! Another person who was allergic to coconut suffered symptoms of oral allergy to several tree nuts. Coconut oil. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. A nut allergy is when the body reacts abnormally to the proteins in nuts. But since it can be argued that it is a nut of sorts, it can be added with the other tree nuts. A member of the Anaphylaxis Campaign reported finding coconut oil to be an ingredient used to cook crisps in France. For example, coconut is classified as a tree nut in the USA, and as a seed in the UK. Treatment. The medical reviewer of this article, who works in a busy NHS allergy clinic, occasionally sees patients who had been mistakenly advised that they were allergic to coconut due to the misinterpretation of the results of a popular allergy blood test.  The test is called ImmunoCAP fx1 Mixed Nuts and it is available to GPs in some areas.  It checks to see if one or more nut antibodies (specifically peanut, hazelnut, brazil nut, almond or coconut) is present in the blood serum. There are likely to be other uses for coconut. Argan nut is classified as a tree nut and if used in products cold pressed and not highly refined may cause issues for someone with a tree nut allergy potentially producing red, itchy skin. . Food Allergy Research & Education. Caterers are required by law to be able to provide ingredient information on major food allergens but as these do not include coconut, you will need to ensure that the staff you question understand that you must avoid coconut. All Myroo Skincare products are natural, organic, vegan and 100% plant based, free from gluten , nut and dairy. It is unrefined and is therefore considered more likely to present an allergy risk for people allergic to coconut. Therefore, there is no general recommendation that patients with tree nut allergy should avoid coconut. Coconuts might be the tropical rage in the health community, but it’s a major source of confusion in the allergic community. No harm, no foul. The few reactions to coconut are allergy just to it, unrelated to tree nut allergy. Diagnosis and Treatment Coconut allergy is usually diagnosed by a medical doctor (allergist) after a medical history, physical examination, and food allergy … The Allergy UK website has more information. The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to identify the food that causes the allergy … The risk posed by these products is unknown as far as we know, so we would advise people with coconut allergy to read ingredient lists carefully and avoid any product containing coconut. 6. These allergy-free treats are always safe winners. It’s important for allergy sufferers to be aware that coconut is not universally placed in a single allergy category. Allergic reactions to allergens can vary from mild to life-threatening. Unless you've specifically been told to avoid coconut (it is possible to be allergic to them) I'd go for it. Because coconuts are not considered a “botanical nut,” the ACAAI considers them to be a fruit. Coconut oil is a cold-pressed oil commonly used in baking and in Asian recipes. Allergy UK, British Allergy Foundation. The most common nut allergy is to peanut (also known as groundnut, earth nut or monkey nut), followed by cashew nut and brazil nut. Because of this we believe that allergy to coconut is rare in the UK, although no precise statistics are available. It … Coconut, the seed of a drupaceous fruit, has typically not been restricted in the diets of people with a tree nut allergy. In babies, a non-IgE-mediated food allergy can also cause diarrhoea and reflux, where stomach acid leaks up into the throat. Coconut does not appear on the list of major food allergens that must, by law, always be labelled on food packages, so if you are in doubt about any product, contact the manufacturer. Oil and extracts of coconut are used in some cosmetics and toiletries especially in soaps, hand gels, shampoos and hair conditioners. And, by all rights, a food that grows on trees and contains the word “nut” as its third syllable feels appropriately named. Allergic reactions to nuts are caused by the proteins found in specific tree nuts. If you are allergic to tree nuts, talk to your allergist before adding coconut to your diet. Therefore, there is no general recommendation that patients with tree nut allergy should avoid coconut. Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. But because nuts are defined as a “one-seeded fruit,” the coconut fits both descriptions. Two people allergic to walnuts were found to react to coconuts due to a cross-reacting protein. The general concensus is that allergy to coconut is very rare and has nothing to do with treenut/peanut. If you believe you are allergic to coconut, this should be reported to your GP, who can either arrange a test if he or she is qualified to do so or refer you to an allergy clinic for testing. Coconut can be bought fresh or as coconut milk, coconut water, creamed coconut or desiccated coconut.  It can be used as an ingredient in baking, ice cream, breakfast cereals and confectionary.  It is widely used in South-East Asian cooking. When eating out, question staff carefully. The following are just a few of the products that you need to watch out for: Should people with coconut allergy avoid coconut oil? Many cases of food allergy are mild but, in a few people, an allergic reaction can be life-threatening. There are isolated reports of cross‐reactive antibodies between coconut and certain tree nuts (hazelnut and walnut) and reports of clinical reactivity 70, 71; however, another study found that children with peanut and tree nut allergy are not more likely to be sensitised or allergic to coconut than non‐nut‐allergic children 72. The botanical distance between coconuts and tree nuts would suggest that people with tree nut allergy should be able to tolerate coconut and studies have shown that this is generally true. Nut allergy is one of the most common types of food allergy in both children and adults. GU14 6BU. As ggirl says, coconuts are not treated as nuts for allergy purposes. Food Allergy Research & Education. Coconuts ( Cocos nucifera) are tree nuts and may be a concern for people who have allergies to other nuts. Most with tree nut allergy do have the green light to eat coconut.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes coconut as a tree nut, and thus an allergen that must be declared. It’s a versatile fruit that can take you from pecan coconut-crusted fish for dinner to light-as-air coconut macaroons for dessert. Let’s crack open this one. Technically, coconut is not a botanical nut, but is a one seeded drupe, or a one seeded fruit. A tree nut allergy is a hypersensitivity to dietary substances from tree nuts and edible tree seeds causing an overreaction of the immune system which may lead to severe physical symptoms. Medical literature documents a small number of allergic reactions to coconut; most occurred in people who were not allergic to tree nuts. Because coconuts are not considered a “botanical nut,” the ACAAI considers them to be a fruit. Still, coconut allergy appears rare, and uncommon even among those with tree nut allergies. There’s just one hitch—it’s now classified as a tree nut. ↑ Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy. Coconut oil is a cold-pressed oil and is used in baking and ethnic cooking. Rare exceptions have been reported in scientific research papers. If you wish to know the sources we used in producing any of our information products, please let us know, and we will gladly supply details. Oral allergy syndrome generally doesn't cause severe symptoms, and it's possible to deactivate the allergens by thoroughly cooking any fruit and vegetables. While the ins and outs of coconut classifications may put us non-botanists in a daze, it’s a crucial decision for anyone with a tree nut allergy. Products that come into contact with the skin that contain a food allergen should be avoided in those with a food allergy to that food ingredient. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family and the only living species of the genus Cocos. ↑ About Anaphylaxis. This can be confusing for some, as coconuts are not typically considered to be nuts and there are few instances of people being allergic to both true tree nuts and coconuts. Shea Nut, Argan nut, and coconut are commonly used in skin and hair products. So why are coconuts on the FDA’s tree-nut allergen list? Coconut allergies are pretty rare, but for the few of those who are allergic, it can be serious, including anaphylaxis. When she isn't hunched over her laptop with a baby in hand, you will find her cooking her grandmother’s recipes, lacing up her running shoes or sipping coffee in the bathroom to hide from her three young children. These nut-free snacks for kids are allergy-safe without scrimping on taste. Coconut is still technically considered a fruit, but the FDA grayed those lines. 3. People who are at risk of anaphylaxis are prescribed adrenaline in injectable form. 2002 PUBMEDID: 11929430; Kim KT and Hussain H Prevalence of food allergy in 137 latex-allergic patients. But the coconut is a member of the palm family and only distantly related to tree nuts. This article has been written to help people who are allergic to coconut to understand their allergy, and also to inform people who believe they may be allergic to coconut but aren’t sure. All the information we produce is evidence based or follows expert opinion and is checked by our clinical and research reviewers. If you or your child has a severe tree nut allergy, it’s still a good idea to talk with your allergist before adding coconut to your diet. Detailed information on severe allergy (anaphylaxis) and its treatment can be found here: The text of this article has been peer reviewed by Dr Michael Radcliffe, Consultant in Allergy Medicine, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Coconut doesn’t just have incredible health benefits; it’s also a wonderful ingredient to use topically. Coconuts are a delicious, versatile fruit enjoyed all over the world. 1 Alexandra Road However, the botanical distance between coconuts and tree nuts suggests that most people with tree nut allergy are likely to tolerate coconut. A cross-reacting protein found in both coconut and hazelnut was identified as the cause. ↑ Peanut Allergy. Officially peanut is not actually a nut, it belongs American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, confirmed by the Food Allergy Research & Education Network, Coconut Mango Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce, Chocolate-Glazed Coconut Almond Cheesecake, How to Get Grease Off Walls in Your Kitchen, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. We advise people who are allergic to coconut to read food labels carefully every time they shop. Reports of allergy to coconut in medical and scientific journals are highly uncommon compared with those reports that focus on tree nuts. Once you’re cleared to enjoy coconut, here are a few recipes to get you started. Coconut in skincare. …Unless you’re a botanist. Doesn’t mean you can’t be sensitive to coconut of course, as with any food, just not classed as a nut for allergy purposes as it is not botanically a nut, it’s classified as a ‘drupe’! Why the change in classification? Our registered company address is Anaphylaxis Campaign, 1 Alexandra Road, Farnborough, GU14 6BU. Coconut is considered a drupe, or a fruit with a hard covering over the seed. Whether light and sweet or rich and savory, coconut adds unique flavor and crisp texture to some of our favorite dishes. Allergy 57(2):182-3. Foods. The term for a severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis. Classified coconut as a nurse for over a decade added with the other tree nuts a member the... Allergy-Safe without scrimping on taste What is a nut allergy is one of the genus Cocos when the reacts. 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