why does my throat get scratchy when i eat almonds?

Question

when i eat almonds (wettened with skin still on), my throat gets scratchy and when i talk i start to cough. why does this happen? it usually happens for 5 minutes.

Answer 1

Allergies, maybe. But usually nut allergies cause more of an anaphalactic reaction (you might get a rash, have trouble breathing, etc.)

Another possibility could be that the roughness of the almonds is aggravating your throat.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

That's a classic allergic reaction. You can have yourself tested for a variety of allergies; some can be fairly serious. This one sounds relatively mild, though if you develop breathing troubles it could get serious very quickly.

Why it happens is that your body is sensitive to proteins in the almonds, and reacts by sending histamine to the areas where the almond proteins have irritated you. This causes the membranes in your throat to swell and itch; you cough when you try to speak because the vibration of the air over your vocal chords irritates the already swollen membranes in your throat, which your body interprets as needing to expel something.

You can use over-the-counter antihistamines if the reaction is severe or lasts a long time; in the US, one of the newest varieties of antihistamine to become available is Claritin, though old standbys like Chlortrimeton and Benadryl can also be found.

In a pinch, cold remedies may also help with allergic reactions, depending on the medication; if they contain chlorpheniramine maleate or brompheniramine maleate, they will be an effective anthistamine and can help reduce the symptoms you experience from eating almonds (or other nuts).

You should be careful, though -- often when someone is allergic to one kind of nut, they are allergic to others. Use caution when eating pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts until you know whether they cause a similar reaction. And peanuts -- while not technically nuts, but rather a legume more like peas and beans -- are the one food item to which more people are allergic than any other.

Allergies can be serious, even deadly (look up anaphylaxis on your favorite search engien), or they can be monitored and managed for a happy and trouble-free life. I, for instance, was severely allergic to cats as a child, but I have a big red tabby cat sitting on my lap as I type this, so there's no reason you can't experience similar success with treatments for food allergies if they're causing you problems.

Answer 4

You most likely have allergies to almonds and possibly other nuts. It is a common symptom for nut allergies. Consult your doctor about this before you consume more almonds or other nuts for that matter.

Answer 5

maybe allergic reaction. get an allergy test done so you know for sure....
some reactions could be life threating, its better to find out just to be safe

Answer 6

I would say you were allergic to them. Dont eat them anymore just to be safe.. and go to your doctor to get some testing done :)

Answer 7

same thing happens to me when I eat honey roasted peanuts, I think its just an irritation when its going down.

Answer 8

Have you ever been tested for allergies?

Answer 9

you're allergic to almonds.

Answer 10

allergies maybe?