Why a nut allergy affects the whole school building
There are different types of food allergies with very different symptoms. While some are generally harmless, particular caution is required in the case of allergies to nuts or peanuts.
The meaning and effects of allergies and food intolerances are often confused in colloquial language. Intolerances or intolerances are due to digestive problems with certain carbohydrates. Allergies, on the other hand, are an overreaction of the body to so-called storage proteins.
Milk is a good example to explain this. A reaction to milk sugar (lactose) is known as lactose intolerance. Digestive difficulties and flatulence are often the result. However, if the body reacts to the milk proteins, this is referred to as a food allergy.
In Switzerland, 14 ingredients that can trigger allergies or other adverse reactions must be clearly labelled and highlighted on the packaging. These include milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, cereals, celery, soya beans, nuts and peanuts.
Nut allergies are usually discovered in childhood when solid foods are introduced. They manifest themselves in severe allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock.
Tips for everyday life
- Nut allergies usually relate to hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, pecan nuts, Brazil nuts and macadamia nuts. Those affected react to a specific nut. However, reactions to other nuts cannot be ruled out.
- Contrary to what the name suggests, peanuts are not botanically a nut, but a legume. Accordingly, cross-reactions with other pulses such as soya or peas are possible.
- Parents of affected children cannot avoid informing their neighbourhood. This should in no way be taken as harassment, but is necessary in the case of such an allergy. Any meals outside the home, such as birthday parties, lunches or visits to restaurants, must be organised.
- Is your child being visited by a friend with a nut allergy? It's best to ask the parents of the child concerned what you should look out for. They often have a detailed list of foods containing peanuts or nuts.
- Nuts and peanuts are often unexpectedly hidden in foods. French fries, for example, are often fried in peanut oil.
- Does one of your child's classmates suffer from a peanut allergy or is your school building even peanut- and nut-free? Offer nuts at home anyway. Nuts are an important source of vitamins and fibre. Instruct your child to wash their hands.
- The so-called oral allergy symptom is one of the most common symptoms of a food allergy. It usually manifests as itchy and burning mucous membranes in the mouth and a reddened tongue. If your child describes food as hairy or furry, this may be a sign of a food allergy and should be checked out by a doctor.
Although only around one per cent of the European population is affected by a nut or peanut allergy, these are the most common (almost) fatal allergic reactions. Due to the low threshold value, even the smallest amounts of the allergen can lead to strong overreactions of the immune system. Tiny traces on a door handle or particles that are released into the air when a package is opened are sometimes enough.
Whether sweet or savoury: snacks containing peanuts are a popular snack at school. They are highly visible as roasted nuts or trail mix. But nuts are also often hidden in less obvious products such as chocolate bars and many baked goods.
This is not only a challenge for the parents of a child with a peanut or nut allergy, but also requires constant vigilance and the help of the entire environment. Teachers, parents and classmates must be informed about ingredient lists, symptoms and emergency measures as soon as the child starts school.
Various schools with affected children have therefore introduced an allergy management programme. Some schools have even banned peanuts and nuts from the entire school premises. Such a decision may seem drastic to those not affected. However, according to the practising schools, these measures are comparatively simple and can significantly reduce the risk of a reaction.
What is a cross-reaction?
Secondary allergies usually develop later in life. They often arise from a primary allergy to certain pollens.
This is due to the structural similarity between pollen allergens and allergens in fruit, vegetables or nuts. The immune system thinks it recognises the trigger and reacts - albeit more mildly than with a primary allergy. This results in milder reactions, which are limited to the oral cavity in particular.
This is also referred to as a cross-reaction. A common example of this is a primary allergy to birch pollen with a cross-reaction to nuts.
