I'm concerned about my daughter, who has a nut allergy and has experienced hives from pecans and peanuts. My wife wants to buy a walnut cutting board, but I'm not sure if the wood could pose a risk for my daughter. Is there a chance she could react to walnut wood like she does with the nuts, or are the proteins in the nuts different from those in the wood?
3 Answers
I agree with the previous commenter! A visit to the allergist might be the best bet here to be completely certain. They can provide tailored advice based on your daughter's specific allergies.
That's a good question! It's definitely worth consulting with your daughter's allergist for a solid answer. Usually, people are allergic to the proteins found in the nuts themselves, which are typically not present in the wood. For example, just like how wheatgrass is fine for those with celiac because it has no gluten, walnut wood might not be an issue. But every allergy is unique, so it’s best to confirm with a pro.
Interesting topic! If you're feeling adventurous, you could try a small test with a piece of the walnut board and see how she reacts – but please do this with her allergist’s guidance and ideally at their office. You don’t want to take risks without backup, especially with potential reactions. Better to be safe with an epi-pen close at hand!