Allergy to fruits

By Joel Escol

Fruits are full of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C and protein. These are needed by our body as these will boost our immune system and help us avoid being sick.

Though fruits are widely tolerated by majority of people, there are some who may develop allergies to it. But this is very uncommon, according to some doctors.

Health experts say people develop allergies to certain proteins that are found in fruits, particularly heat labile protein and profilins, which are found in most fruits and vegetables.

Among the fruits that may cause allergies to some people are apples, kiwis, cherries, pears, mangoes, peaches, bananas, plums, citrus, tomatoes, melons and watermelons.

Kiwis reportedly cause more severe allergic reactions than any other fruits and those people who are allergic to these fruits may also develop allergies to bananas and avocados due to the cross-reactivity of the protein that causes the allergy.

Allergies to fruits reportedly make up about 10% of all food-related allergies but the signs and symptoms are only mild, which often affects the mouth, called oral allergy syndrome or pollen-food syndrome, and skin (if the fruit touches the skin).

People who have fruit allergies may experience itching, burning, blisters or rashes in the lips, mouth and throat; tingling sensation in the tongue, mouth and throat; and swelling of the mouth, throat and windpipe.

Rashes in the skin may also be present if the fruit touches the skin.

Those who are allergic to mangoes may experience hoarseness of voice and difficulty breathing. They may also feel like they are having asthma attack.

Health experts say those people who are allergic to pollens of birch, alder, grass or ragweed are the most susceptible to developing fruit allergies.

However, there are also those who are allergic only to fruits and not to the pollens.

To prevent getting oral allergy syndrome, never eat the fruit raw. Instead, cook or bake them.

Dr. Paul Keith, an associate professor of allergy and clinical immunology at McMaster University in Hamilton, said the heat labile protein in fruits is what causes the allergic reactions to some people.

However, he said this kind of protein can easily be destroyed by heat that’s why it is recommended to cook or bake the fruit before eating to avoid having allergic reaction. 

If you experience itching, eat a neutral substance like bread or drink water.

Dr. Keith also recommends peeling the fruit, like apples, since the peel typically contains more protein than the fruit itself thereby reducing your risk of having allergic reactions.

Doctors also suggest that sprinkling a bit of lemon juice to the fruit and letting it stand for a few minutes before eating may also reduce allergic reactions.

Though these measures may help relieve the symptoms of fruit allergy, health experts recommend total avoidance of the fruits that cause the allergy if the symptoms are too severe to handle. Or consult an allergist so you would know how to handle your allergy if you really cannot avoid eating the fruit.
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Joel Escol is an online media professional, Internet Entrepreneur and Network Builder. He has an allergy problem so that he shares to this blog how to properly treat allergy while you will have also the opportunity to earn money online. Joel is now earning $1000 per month online.