Ask the allergist – January 2026

Ask the allergist is a regular feature in our newsletters where Canadian allergists answer your questions! This month, we’re featuring the top articles of 2025. 

Please note: The allergists featured in this series answer questions on general topics, please talk to your doctor if you have questions about your own health or the health of your child. 

Find out the answers to these top questions from 2025: 

Tree nut allergy 

Do I have to avoid certain spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, if I’m allergic to tree nuts?

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I’ve heard that if you have an allergy to tree nuts, you need to be careful with the wood burned in your fireplace as it can trigger symptoms. Is this true? 

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Food allergy testing

Can food allergy testing identify how severe your food allergy is?

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Treating reactions

If someone is having an allergic reaction, how do you determine if it’s serious enough to use epinephrine?  

Are there situations in which it’s OK to wait and monitor symptoms? 

What happens if an epinephrine auto-injector is given, but it wasn’t needed?  

I’m taking my epinephrine auto-injectors with me on a canoe trip. If a device accidentally gets submerged in water, can it still be used? 

Get the answers

Learn more

Videos: Test your knowledge on signs and symptoms

Watch videos

Video: “What is anaphylaxis”

Watch video

Webinar: Know it. Treat it.: Taking control of anaphylaxis

Watch webinar

Do you have a food allergy-related question you’d like to ask an allergist in the months to come? If so, send it along to us at info@foodallergycanada.ca.