I have always disliked eating walnuts/pecans because it made the back of my throat and tongue itch. I was at a friend's house when we started talking about pecan pie and I explained my love for the taste but dislike for the effect. I had thought this was natural! My friend's father overheard and said I should avoid walnuts and pecans at all costs because that meant I was allergic. Since he's a doctor, I took his advice. When I did accidentally eat one, I reacted right away with the same itchy throat, tongue, and sometimes it became hard to breathe, but if I drank plenty of water and calmed myself down, I'd be okay.
Fast forward a decade. I'm now 24. My friend just found out she was allergic to walnuts and reacted severely all over, not just with the throat and tongue itching, but her whole body and in rashes. Granted, she ate a lot of walnuts that day (not knowing she was allergic) and I have eaten barely any, but her reaction was by far worse than mine.
I am now wondering if I really have an allergy or if it's just been a mental reaction to me freaking out thinking I was allergic. Is it possible to just have an itchy throat/tongue and it never progress to anything worse? Is it possible I have outgrown it? Is there a safe way to test the allergy? I am temped to just chomp on a few walnuts and see if I even react but if I do react, I know it's possible it could become severe and.. well.. if I suspect a walnut allergy, then that's just plain stupid! Is it really expensive to get tested by a doctor? I work non-profit and don't really make a great income. Or does insurance typically cover that sort of thing? Is it worth testing out for more than my peace of mind? Or should I just continue to avoid those little buggers?
Questions. Questions! Also, does the way a nut is prepared affect the possibility of a reaction? I have noticed if the walnut is in something, baked, cooked, etc. I don't really react as much but if it is "fresh" it bothers me more.
Thoughts?