Tree Nuts

Tree nuts include almonds, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chestnuts, cashews, brazil nuts, pistachios, lichee nuts and walnuts.  Tree nut allergies are very common and tend to persist into adulthood. 

A tree nut allergy means “no nuts.”  These nuts are all biologically related so if a person is allergic to one, they may react to any of the others.

Tree nuts are not related to peanuts.  Peanuts are a legume.  Tree nuts are a hard fruit of a tree. So a person who cannot have peanuts, may be able to have tree nuts and vice versa. However, many people with a tree nut allergy also have a peanut allergy.

Sunflower seeds are seeds, not nuts, so you are good there unless there is cross contamination.  There is only the rare allergy to sunflower seeds, but parents should keep you posted.  

Nutmeg is not made from nuts, so it is ok. 

Water chestnuts are also not nuts (as noted by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxsis Network). 

 Coconut is listed by the FDA as a tree nut, however coconut allergies are extremely rare.  The coconut is not considered a “tree nut” in most of the “allergy circles.”  Some of the big Food Allergy sites are trying to get the coconut off the nut list because it confuses people.

Tree nuts can be found in nougats, nut butters, granola bars, cereals, pesto, marinades, and some lotions (think shea butter from the shea nut).

Here is the tree nut allergy avoidance list.

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=60

PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER THIS MEDICAL ADVICE.  CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT ANY ALLERGY CONCERNS, NOT WITH A FRIENDLY BLOGGER.