Why Are Hazelnuts Allergic – Can you be allergic to hazelnuts but not other nuts?

This so-called “oral allergy syndrome” is a form of food allergy that is characterized by a series of allergic reactions in the mouth and throat as a result of eating certain (usually fresh) fruits, nuts, and vegetables that commonly occurs in adults with hay fever. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_allergy_syndrom

Why are nut allergies so severe?

The response is due to an overactive immune system that recognizes proteins in the peanut as a threat. An antibody called immunoglobulin E is produced, which causes chemicals to be released. The result is an allergic reaction, which can be life-threatening.

Can you be mildly allergic to hazelnuts?

Hazelnut allergies can range from mild oral symptoms to potentially fatal anaphylaxis. There is a need to know which individuals are at risk of having severe symptoms. In this paper, the possibilities for a ‘component-resolved diagnosis’ based on sensitization to different allergens in hazelnut are explored.