Sweet Almond Oil Allergy

Sweet almond oil is made from almonds, according to Drugs.com. As a tree nut, almonds are a common allergen, according to the Mayo Clinic. Allergic reactions to tree nuts such as almonds and products made from them, like sweet almond oil, are among the most dangerous kinds of allergic reactions if they are severe, according to The Allergy Site. See a doctor or call your local emergency services immediately if you experience symptoms like a rash, hives, swelling or difficulty breathing after using sweet almond oil or products that contain it.

History

Sweet almond oil is produced by pressing almonds, according to Drugs.com. Almonds grow on almond trees, which are in the same family as cherry, peach and plum trees. Both sweet almonds and bitter almonds come from the same almond trees. Unlike sweet almonds, bitter almonds contain amygdalin, which was extracted from almonds and used to treat cancer as early as 1845, according to Drugs.com. Sweet almonds and sweet almond oil are popular food ingredients, and sweet almond oil can also be found in cosmetics, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a sweet almond oil allergy vary but may be severe, according to The Allergy Site. The most severe reactions include swelling of the sinuses, mouth and throat immediately upon contact with sweet almond oil or products that contain it. These types of allergic reactions often cut off breathing and will cause death if not treated immediately. Other symptoms of a sweet almond oil allergy include abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, according to The Allergy Site.

Treatment

Since an allergic reaction to sweet almond oil can be life-threatening, knowing how to administer immediate treatment and obtain medical help is vital to those with severe sweet almond oil allergies, according to The Allergy Site. If you have a severe sweet almond oil allergy, talk to your doctor about carrying an emergency dose of epinephrine with you at all times. Epinephrine usually comes as an injection and is taken to prevent an allergic reaction from stopping your breathing or heartbeat, according to The Allergy Site. Even if you take epinephrine, however, you will still need to call emergency services and be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.

Prevention

Avoiding contact with sweet almond oil and other products that contain almonds and tree nuts is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction, according to the Mayo Clinic. Read food labels carefully to determine whether or not foods contain sweet almond oil, almonds or other tree nuts. When you go out to eat, make sure your order does not contain almonds or almond oil. Finally, if you're not sure whether a product you wish to buy contains sweet almond oil, contact the manufacturer, who will have the information, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Preparation

If you have a sweet almond oil allergy, have a plan in place in case you accidentally come into contact with almonds or almond oil, according to the Mayo Clinic. Make sure you and your family members know how to use emergency epinephrine and how to recognize the symptoms of your allergic reaction. Also, make a crisis plan, including the phone numbers of your local emergency services, your allergist or family doctor and the local hospitals, according to The Allergy Site. If your child has a sweet almond oil or another severe allergy, give copies of this plan to his or her teachers and school as well as keeping a copy at home. Finally, the Mayo Clinic recommends wearing a medical alert bracelet or tag that will tell emergency first aid providers about your allergy.