Cashew nuts rising cause of anaphylaxis in children
What it found
In people, cashew was the most frequent cause of tree nut anaphylaxis among children, and cashew reactions increased from 2007 to 2024.
Reactions often came from small amounts, less than 1 teaspoon.
What they found
Studies in people
Cashew top in children
Among children, the most frequent triggers were cashew (334 cases), hazelnut (211) and walnut (146). Cashew was the most frequent cause of tree nut anaphylaxis in children.
Cashew reactions rising
The share of anaphylaxis caused by cashew increased from 2007 to 2024. Reactions were often set off by small amounts, less than 1 teaspoon.
Adults and other nuts
Adults often reacted to hazelnut (105 cases), walnut (47) and also almond (35), and to higher amounts than children.
Cofactors and severity
Potential cofactors were present in 50% of adult patients and 17% of children. Reaction severity did not depend on age.
Many unaware of allergy
Only a minority of patients already knew about their allergy: 23% of children and 21% of adults.
Adrenaline use low
Adrenaline was used in 13% of children and 3% of adults treated by lay people. It reached about 40% when treatment was given by professionals.
What the authors conclude
“Cashew is an increasing, relevant allergen leading to anaphylaxis and is now the most frequent cause of TIA among children.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say cashew is an increasing, relevant allergen leading to anaphylaxis and is now the most frequent cause of tree nut anaphylaxis among children.
- They say these findings highlight the need for effective prevention and treatment measures.
- They say almond was a frequent trigger among adults and should be further monitored, and that acute management needs to improve to follow current guidelines.
How it was done
Food allergies are a major health concern and their numbers are rising. Dietary habits are changing, and information about cashew-induced anaphylaxis is limited.
They looked at 1389 cases of tree nut-induced anaphylaxis recorded in the European Anaphylaxis Registry from 2007 until April 2024. They then focused on 1083 cases with a confirmed trigger, including 845 children (median age 4 years, 61% male) and 238 adults (38 years, 40% male).
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study looked at cases recorded in a registry, so it can show links and patterns over time but not prove cause and effect.
- It cannot show how common cashew allergy is in the general population, because only cases reported to the registry were counted.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by NORA e.V; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung; Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF); The Swiss Cancer Research Foundation; EU-H2020-MSCA-COFUND EURIdoc programme (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- V.H. has no COI in relation to this paper. S.D.‐B. has no COI in relation to this paper. D.S.‐L. has no COI in relation to this paper. A.D.‐C. outside of the submitted work, reports grants from Don du Souffle, Novartis, ARAIRLOR, consulting fees from Sanofi, Stallergens, ALK, Aimmune Therapeutics, payment for presentations for Aimmune Therapeutics, Novartis, ALK, support for attending meetings from Mead Johnson, Nutricia, Aimmune Therapeutics, Novartis, ALK, stocks from Essilor Luxottica. A.K. has no COI in relation to this paper. M.B. has no COI in relation to this paper. K.H. received research funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF; grant 310030_207705), the Swiss Cancer Research Foundation (grant KFS‐5979‐08‐2023) and the EU‐H2020‐MSCA‐COFUND EURIdoc programme (No. 101034170). K.H. is or recently was a speaker/advisor for ALK, Allergopharma, Almirall, BioCryst, Blueprint, Cogent, Galderma, KalVista, Leo, Menarini, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda and ThermoFisher. L.L. has received speaker fees from DBV, Nutricia, Nestle, and Thermofisher Scientific. N.P. has received speaker/advisor fees from Abbott, Abbvie, ALK, Asit Biotech, AstraZeneca, Biomay, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, HAL, Faes Farma, Medscape, Menarini, MSD, Novartis, Nutricia, OM Pharma, Regeneron, Sanofi, Takeda, and Viatris. H.O. has no COI in relation to this paper. S.H. has no COI in relation to this paper. M.B.B. has no COI in relation to this paper. B.E.G. has no COI in relation to this paper. M.W. declares the receipt of honoraria or consultation fees by the following companies: Abbvie, Aimmune, ALK‐Abelló, Allergopharma, Almirall, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bencard, Bioprojet Pharma, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Galderma, Glaxosmithkline, Infectopharm, Leo Pharma, Eli Lilly, Mylan/Viatris, Novartis, Octapharma, Pfizer and Sanofi.
- Authors work at
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; University Hospital Reims, France; University of Lorraine, France
The paper
- Title
- A Growing Concern for Cashew and an Unexpected Risk From Almonds: Data From the Anaphylaxis Registry
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Höfer V, Dölle-Bierke S, Sabouraud-Leclerc D, et al (2025). A Growing Concern for Cashew and an Unexpected Risk From Almonds: Data From the Anaphylaxis Registry. Allergy. doi:10.1111/all.16619Free full textPubMed 40511587DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error