Allergen, Individual-Food Cashew Nut Kaju (Anacardium Occidentale) Test

Cashew nuts, like other tree nuts and legumes like peanuts, invoke a severe allergic reaction. The allergy can lead to a life threatening reaction and to loss of breathe, i.e. anaphylactic shock. The symptoms of cashew nut allergy include abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and swallowing, itching of the mouth, nausea and nasal congestion.

This test, unlike other common blood tests, does not require fasting. No other special preparation is required, and it is advisable for the test taker to inform their doctor or test provider about any medical conditions or allergies otherwise existing. The doctor must also be informed of any other medications that the test taker is taking, pursuant to which the doctor will give specific instructions. It is advisable that the test taker wears a shirt or t-shirt which exposes the forearm or is loose enough to roll up, as the test site is the forearm.

Diagnosis of this allergy is useful to determine what the person must be forbidden from eating and how to manage their symptoms in case of accidental consumption. Anyone who tests positive for cashew nut allergy will have to avoid cashew nuts and products which contain it, no matter in what quantity. It is also advised that they check labels properly before eating other tree nuts, as many such nuts are manufactured and processed in the same facility. This would lead to traces of cashew nuts on other nuts, which can also trigger an allergic reaction. These persons must carry epinephrine with them, to inject in case of accidental consumption.

Before the tests, family history of allergies and the test taker’s other allergies will be collected. The general test used uniformly all over the world is the skin prick test. Here, a needle is pricked on the forearm of the person with a small amount of the allergen. The test is done is specialised allergy testing centres, full service testing centres or at a clinic or hospital. A part of the skin on your arm is chosen as the site, which is cleaned by rubbing alcohol. After this, the needle is injected. The skin is observed for a period of time to see if it shows any reaction to the allergen. A blood test may also be conducted to determine the presence of IgE in the blood, but this is used only if the skin prick tests are inconclusive.