A nut allergy is when your immune system reacts to proteins found in nuts. This can include tree nuts like walnuts, cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts, as well as peanuts, which are technically legumes (a plant that produces seeds in pods like beans and lentils). When someone with a nut allergy eats nuts, their body sees these proteins as a threat and triggers an allergic reaction. The body perceives the proteins in the nut as a harmful invader like bacteria or viruses which causes the immune system to react by releasing chemicals like histamines which leads to the allergy symptoms. It’s like the body is overreacting to something that’s actually safe!