This causes a reaction that can come with mild to severe symptoms.

As much as 3% of the worlds population has a nut allergy.

This article discusses the symptoms of a nut allergic reaction and spices to avoid due to cross-reactivity.

Cumin spice

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Peanuts grow in the ground, which makes them a legume.

Histamines are compounds that cause symptoms to develop.

These allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe.

There are several ways that a nut allergy can contribute to a spice allergy either directly or indirectly.

Chief among these are processes called cross-reactivity and cross-contamination.

If that protein is found in a spice, it can also cause a reaction.

This is known ascross-reactivity.

An example of this is a protein calledprolaminfound in many allergy-triggering foods, including almonds and wheat.

It can also happen when food manufacturing facilities make multiple products, including those containing nuts.

With spices, cross-contamination with nuts has been reported.

This also means reading product labels to see if nuts wereintentionallyused in a product.

Another example is dukkah, a popular seasoning from Egypt used for Middle Eastern cooking.

Other variations are made with pistachio or almonds.

Common Spice Allergies

Spice allergies are rare.

Therefore, its likely that if youre allergic to one spice, youre likely allergic to others as well.

The same goes if youre allergic to pistachios or cashews.

It is best to read the labels of all spices and spice blends to be on the safe side.

A severe allergic reaction can, in some cases, cause coma or even death.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spices have the ability to trigger allergies.

Some spices have only the spice as an ingredient, whereas others use nuts as a filler.

When spices do contain an allergen, they will trigger allergies.

Not all spices contain nuts, but some might.

To be sure, its best to check the labels of every spice you use prior to eating it.

The spices that are most likely to contain nuts are cumin and spice mixes.

Contrary to its name,nutmegdoes not contain nuts.

The spice is derived from a seed.

That is why nutmeg is safe for people with tree nut allergies.

Similar to nutmeg, cinnamon does not contain nuts and is safe for those with nut allergies.

It is made from the bark of a cinnamon tree.

Cinnamon sticks are dried pieces of the bark and powdered cinnamon is made by grinding up the bark.

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Everything you gotta know about tree nut allergy.