The allergy to the fruit: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
They are very common - and therefore known - certain food allergies, such as egg allergy, fish protein allergy, or soy allergy. However, did you know that it is also quite common allergy to the fruit? In fact, according to the Spanish Association of Allergy to Food and Latex, the percentage in adults of allergic reactions that correspond to fruits represent 37%, while the percentage of these reactions in children is 11%.
It is, as you surely know, a group of essential foods in our diet and daily diet, mainly for its content in fiber, vitamins and minerals.
However, like other foods, fruits have in their composition some substances and components that can trigger allergies in people sensitive to them.
As we discussed in the article on the differences between food allergy and intolerance, food allergy appears when the immune system (responsible for defending our body from external aggressions), interprets that certain food, or additive contained in it, is an invader This causes a disproportionate immune response, causing the allergic reaction. In it, the body releases a series of chemical substances, among which we can find histamine.
In the case of fruits, the main allergens present in them are proteins that our immune system identifies as harmful and therefore dangerous components.
Symptoms of the allergy to the fruit
As many specialists say, the symptomatology of the allergy to fruit is not always the same, given that the same allergen can produce adverse reactions of different degrees.
Among the most common symptoms of fruit allergy that can appear after ingesting fruit, touching it or inhaling it, we find:
- Trouble breathing.
- Oppression in the throat.
- Itching in the mouth and throat.
- Hoarseness and cough.
- Stomach ache.
- Vomiting
- Urticaria.
- Inflammation.
- Decrease in blood pressure.
How is the allergy to fruit diagnosed?
The allergist is the appropriate specialist to make the diagnosis. For this it is necessary to carry out a complete clinical history, a physical examination of the patient and a dietary survey, which among other aspects will provide the possibility of knowing the time that has elapsed between the intake of the food in question and the period that would have taken in the symptoms appear.
On the other hand, you can also perform a blood test and known as skin test, which involves exposing the allergen to skin contact to analyze whether or not an adverse reaction occurs.
Treatment of the allergy to the fruit
The allergist will prescribe drugs that help treat the symptoms related to the adverse reaction. On the other hand, it is important to avoid the consumption of fruit, as well as any other food or food product that present the fruit as an ingredient, as is the case of yogurt, jams, sauces and confectionery products.
What are the fruits that cause most allergies?
The fruits that tend to cause more commonly any allergy or adverse reaction are: banana, avocado, apple, cherries, kiwis, grapes, pears, figs, melon, papaya, apricot and peach.
Image | Jolaina Nasseri This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist.
