2022 Volume 36 Issue 5 Pages 490-498
Objective:
The symptoms and backgrounds of patients presenting to emergency institutions with tree nut-allergy remain unexamined. In this study, we aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics of such patients.
Methods:
We included 29 cases (27 patients) that visited our emergency department with tree nut-allergy reactions from February 2016 to October 2021. We retrospectively reviewed the causative food, patient background, symptoms, and treatment from medical records.
Results:
Causative foods were walnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, almonds, and pecans in 12, 12, 3, 1, and 1 cases, respectively. 15 cases developed anaphylaxis, 5 of which were anaphylactic shock. 13 cases required intramuscular adrenaline injection, one of which required continuous intravenous adrenaline. 11 cases were hospitalized, three of which were admitted to the intensive care unit. 22 were first-episode cases, 14 of whom had other food allergies.
Conclusions:
Patients who visited the emergency department with tree-nut allergy tended to be young, had other associated food allergies, and experienced their first-episode of anaphylaxis. Appropriate medical and social interventions may prevent future unpredicted serious cases.
