Cashew allergy involves an allergic response to nuts, which can be specific, affecting only cashews, or it may also involve other tree nuts such as walnuts and pistachios. This type of allergy can occur in both children and adults, even without previous exposure to cashews. In children, the first allergic reaction typically occurs around the age of 2. While one out of every five children has consumed cashew nuts before, the majority, four out of five, have not encountered them prior to their first reaction. The symptoms of a cashew allergy vary: about 50% of individuals experience skin reactions like hives, 25% have respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing, and 17% suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms. The severity of these reactions can range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Additionally, nearly one-third of children with a cashew allergy are also allergic to pistachios, as both belong to the same botanical family of tree nuts.
