The doctor wasn't very sympathetic (but he had a beard)

[venta]

So, I took myself off to the doctor following my cobnuts episode last week.

I got to see my doctor-of-preference at the practice: the one who listens, and then makes sensible remarks. We agreed that since:

(a) I eat many other kinds of nuts without issue
(b) it was a relatively mild reaction, and it began to pass before I'd taken an antihistamine
(c) I've had mild reactions to hazelnuts in the past, so it's not a wholly new thing

probably the most sensible course is to avoid hazelnuts and cobnuts from now on.

She seemed to think the nutritional benefits of continuing to eat other nuts outweighed the risk of a reaction. She did offer to send me off for formal allergy testing, but since they're extremely busy and I already know what the problem food is, we decided that there was not a whole lot of benefit in having someone formally say "don't eat hazelnuts".

Now I just need to work out where I stand on praline :(

Comments

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Praline is nicer with almonds rather than hazelnuts, imo. (But I still wouldn't stand on it.)

[venta.livejournal.com]

Pfft. You'll be saying next that you don't want to sit on marshmallows...

[lnr]

Sitting on marshmallows sounds quite pleasant so long as they're not wet and you don't get them hot enough to melt.

[beckyc.livejournal.com]

That sounds pretty useful and sensible, for which: hurrah!

Though I get that not having an answer re pralines is a nuisance (praline can make utterly amazing vegan chocolates that don't even need cream. Yum yum yum).

(And yeah, the "nutritional benefit" line is something that allergists trot out a lot as well, especially for a bazillion milder reactions).

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking that for years, whenever I've eaten hazelnuts, I've had a mildly annoying tingly mouth that I've then promptly forgotten about. I'm pretty sure pralines have never caused that effect.

And I get that reactions can get worse, but I think I'm not inclined to go down the manic avoidance route unless it starts to be more of a problem. The doctor didn't think it was likely I'd develop the collapsy-death kind of reaction, so I can afford to experiment a little :)

[zotz]

Consulting a Common-Sense Medical Advisor, eh? Very wise.

Also, good luck with the praline.

[venta.livejournal.com]

I did wonder what questions that subject line laid me open to. I think, in the circs, you were quite restrained. One kudo to you, sir.

[zotz]

Well, I am all sweetness and light.

[kauket.livejournal.com]

TMTWNBBFN - 4th october, The Garage in Highbury. Come along...

[venta.livejournal.com]

Yup, I'm hoping to make it along :)

[kauket.livejournal.com]

Cool. Nuisance is on after at the Buffalo Bar opposite the Garage.

[sammason.livejournal.com]

Please don't stand on praline. That would be wasteful and you might slip.

[sammason.livejournal.com]

and it would go all squidgy between your toes.

[shermarama]

Well, good to hear it's not too serious. But what of Nutella?

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid my answer is "what of it?"

I'm not a huge fan of chocolate spready products, and if I am going to eat them I'd much rather have generic chocolate than Nutella. I appreciate this makes me a heretic in many circles ;)

[shermarama]

Well, the point being that Nutella is made from hazelnuts, not chocolate, but if you don't like it anyway, then that's that solved.
(ETA: oh, no, hang on, it does have chocolate in as well. Anyway.)