Peanut allergy - do you avoid all nuts?

I have peanut allergy since I was 1 year old and I've been avoiding all nuts. I am just allergic to peanut but in factories they tend to mix all nuts together that's why you have to check in each product if it cointains peanuts or the rest of the nuts. There is sometimes a part in the product you buy if the factory produce also nuts, if it does, it may be contaminated and your son could have a reaction.
Avoiding other nuts shouldn't create more allergies.
(I hope I have explained well, english is not my first lenguage)

I was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at the age of 4 but have always eaten tree nuts regularly.
Peanut and tree nut allergies are completely separate, and I only avoid tree nuts if they are likely to be cross-contaminated with peanuts. For example, I find that, looking at the back of cashew packets, they always say "may contain traces of peanuts", and that's when I avoid them. Nuts like pistachios generally don't have any traces of peanuts, but just check the back of the packet for allergens.
Also, as a rule, generally when tree nuts are used in a cafe I will not avoid the cafe, but I wont eat the products with tree nuts directly in them (though sometimes I eat things with tree nuts anyway (quite a small risk)). Essentially, just check the back of packets, and if it says "may contain traces of tree nuts etc." but nothing about peanuts, then don't worry about it.

Question of the Week: Answered!
Every week, PeanutAllergy.com answers one of the questions posted in our community.
Our Answer:
Thank you for reaching out in our community boards. One of the reasons why those who have a peanut allergy are told to avoid all nuts is because many people have allergies to both peanuts and tree nuts. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, 25 to 50 percent of those allergic to peanuts also have tree nut allergies.
Other members of our community have asked similar questions. Check out a previous discussion about avoiding tree nuts here.
It can be easier and safer to avoid both peanuts and tree nuts, especially for young children who may find it difficult to identify different types of nuts. Learn more about avoiding them here.
It takes a precautionary attitude to reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions. Read about how to protect your son and prepare for emergencies here.
Peanuts can be hidden in many different foods and non-food products as well. Find out which foods your son should avoid here. And here’s another previous discussion among our members about unusual or unexpected sources of peanut.
Luckily, there are several safe food options. Here are some great peanut-free food ideas.
Non-food items, like lotion or shampoo, often list allergens by their Latin or scientific name. Find out what these names for nuts are here.
We asked our Facebook community to share their thoughts, and here’s what they had to say.
We hope you find this information helpful. Best of luck to you and your son!

I have a 6.5 year old with a very severe peanut allergy (off the charts), he has gone into full anaphylactic shock (from peanuts), where I almost lost him.
We DO NOT avoid tree nuts. I buy hazelnuts directly from a farm in Oregon that doesn't process anything else. I buy raw almonds, pecans and walnuts from Trader Joe's (many don't say anything on the back, so I have had them call to find out how they were processed), we buy Barney. Butter (almond) which is peanut free. Also, a cashew butter (which states peanut free). However, all cashews I have come across are processed with peanuts, there for, not safe. Most cashews come from Thailand or Indonesia which are both big on peanuts. Even the ones at Trader Joe's, which has no statement on the back. Cascadian Farms brand, only uses tree nuts. Amy's brand only uses tree nuts. Always call the company. The companies do not have to put a statement on the back , about the processing, of items unless they choose to. They are, however, required to list major allergies only if the product contains them. I hope some of this helps.

Hi,
My daughter is also only allergic to peanuts and she does eat tree nuts. Having said that she only eats the tree nuts when we purchase them and know that they are not cross contaminated. She does not eat anything purchased with tree nuts unless we can trace the origin and know if the tree nuts have not come into contact with peanuts. My daughter is 14 and was diagnosed at 2 so she has been living this way for 12 yrs without an issue.
Good luck!

Like many below we read labels carefully and call manufacturers when the label is not clear. Although now 15, on her 504, we still include "Avoid ALL nuts." As the HS Nurse said, "Takes a degree in food science to insure a tree nut food is safe. Not for us amateurs!"
Grocery options:
Wonderful Almonds and Pistachios. Each is processed in a dedicated facility - very helpful for oral challenge testing.
BLUE diamond Almonds, Pecans & Hazelnuts - nuts & thins. While the tree nuts may mingle, there are no peanuts on those lines.
Navitas: Call about each product individually. They will give you details.
Local Farmers's market: If the shell is on and they do not also grow peanuts, should be fine. I wash the shells before I crack 'em just in case.
On-line options:
Blue Mountain Organics - Peanut Free Nuts, Seeds, Dried Fruits and more
My Gerbs - Free of the top 10 allergens (no tree nuts or peanuts) for Dried Fruits, Seeds, and more

Yes! Our allergist told us to and we did. It's hard to discern what is peanut or some of the others. No nuts. It's not worth a mistake!

My son is also allergic to peanuts but not tree nuts. We do allow him to eat products labeled "may contain tree nuts" and we haven't had a problem. I don't want to make his life any more restrictive than it needs to be. But everyone has their own tolerance and their own comfort zone.
We do not buy actual tree nuts unless they are from a peanut free source. We buy online from Tierra Farms. They have all kinds of nuts, peanut free facility. My son doesn't actually eat them, just because he's picky and doesn't want to, but I consider it a safe source for my husband to have nuts in the house. We also buy Blue Diamond almonds.

My son is also allergic to peanuts but not tree nuts. We do allow him to eat products labeled "may contain tree nuts" and we haven't had a problem. I don't want to make his life any more restrictive than it needs to be. But everyone has their own tolerance and their own comfort zone.
We do not buy actual tree nuts unless they are from a peanut free source. We buy online from Tierra Farms. They have all kinds of nuts, peanut free facility. My son doesn't actually eat them, just because he's picky and doesn't want to, but I consider it a safe source for my husband to have nuts in the house. We also buy Blue Diamond almonds.

My daughter has a severe peanut allergy. She had eaten Almonds & eats pecans w no problem. We were told to only avoid peanuts. She then had a pistachio & tongue swelled, therefore we now avoid all nuts (except local grown pecans).