Initial Class 1 + Nut Allergy Sufferer...

[DreamchaserRoss]

Hi everyone,

I am due to take my Initial Class 1 medical soon, but it was mentioned to me by a friend that having a nut allergy may be an issue with the CAA?
I've read other threads on here regarding this issue, but nothing seems to be definitive, except I've heard there was a rule change since a pilot with HIV wasn't issued an initial Class 1?

I recall having a blood test around 20 years ago (As a child) and was told I was allergic to Cashew nuts... (Not Peanuts) - I carry an EpiPen

Is there anyone with a similar experience that could shed some light? It would be greatly appreciated!

[gingernut]

Sorry, can't really give you much insight from a piloting point of view.

I suspect the only people who can give you a definative answer are the CAA.

It'd be helpful if you could get your ducks lines up for them before you contact them.

I should imagine they would be interested in exactly what happened initially. "Allergy" is a term banded about, but could mean anything from getting a rash to collapse and respiratory failure.. I should imaging something serious has gone on here, and i suspect at some time you've seen an immuniologist, if you've been prescribed an epi-pen.

They would also be interested in what's happened since. Any further episodes, and what was the form ?

It's be useful if you could get a copy of the clinic letter from your GP also. The blod result is probably not as important but worh getting.

Good luck.

[DreamchaserRoss]

Thanks for the reply!

Just to add the history of my condition... I had my first reaction after eating a cashew nut when I was around 5, which left a very horrible taste in my mouth (From my limited memory). I recall there being a big fuss, and eventually my mum's friend came over and drove me to the hospital where I was told I had a nut allergy.

Since starting this thread, I retrieved my medical history from my doctors, and I last visited an immunolgist I 2002 where the certainty of my allergy was deemed as "Likely" and the severity said to be "Severe" - Unfortunately.

Since then I've had one occasion of eating Cashew nuts by mistake, and when I realised (Very quickly), I had a really itchy mouth so I took the epipen there and then. But it's hard to say exactly from that experience, especially as it was maybe 7 years ago!

What's even more weird is that I eat peanuts all the time, and I've accidently had hazlenuts, almonds and Pine nuts without any issue.

I do now have an initial class one medical booked, and was told I could end up with an OML (or worse) :ugh:

[421dog]

On this side of the pond, (given that the “allergy” diagnosis is very remote and, frankly, questionable, given the asymptomatic interim exposures, I would advise the applicant to undergo formal allergy testing by an allergy/immunology specialist prior to his aviation medical.

If he is negative, then the allergy was probably not ever real, but certainly isn’t an issue at present. A call to the regional flight surgeon wound almost undoubtably result in a ok to issue without further testing requirements.

If it’s positive, the powers that be will probably look askance at letting someone who is at risk for sudden debilitation be up front in any airplane with nothing but an epi-pen to keep him alive, much less an airliner.
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/app_process/exam_tech/item35/amd/allergies/

[PPRuNeUser0181]

Hi Ross, did you manage to obtain the medical?

[darn]

Shouldn't be an issue. I've had a nut allergy all my life and recently got an intital Class one. The worst they could do is put a condition on that you always carry an epipen but they really weren't bothered about it.

[DreamchaserRoss]

Hi Ross, did you manage to obtain the medical?Hi there,I did manage to obtain my Class 1 in the end after jumping through various hoops. The downside is that they would only give me a class 1 with an OML on it. Shouldn't be an issue. I've had a nut allergy all my life and recently got an intital Class one. The worst they could do is put a condition on that you always carry an epipen but they really weren't bothered about it.Out of curiosity, are you dealing with the UK CAA? I'm trying to work out if there's a possibility to have my OML removed!

[PPRuNeUser0181]

Thanks for the update Ross and great to hear! I would take an OML, better than nothing I suppose. Currently waiting to hear back myself.
I would suggest having some more in-depth allergy testing to see whether you could have a serious reaction. Have a look into allergy component testing or potentially even a controlled oral food challenge test.
If these show that your reactions aren't severe then the CAA may review your OML. All they know at the moment is that you carry an epipen which suggests you are prone to an incapacitating reaction. Some doctors give these as a precaution though and so it could have exaggerated the risk to the CAA.

My allergy has been deemed potentially severe after component testing, but the CAA immunologist has recommended an oral food challenge test. It will all depend on how many nuts i can eat on the day. Have encountered them in the past and like yourself only had a mild reaction - itchy mouth. Anti histamine has always sorted me out.
Hope you get the OML removed!

[PPRuNeUser0181]

Hi Darn,

Could you please provide some more background?
Did the CAA investigate into your allergy with further tests? Is your allergy a bad one?
I was referred a couple of months ago for a mild allergy and i'm still having to wait for test results etc. Mildly allergic to peanuts, have eaten them in the past and been fine after an anti histamine. They're worried that i could have a more severe reaction in the future.
Thanks :)