Apple allergy

It is difficult to underestimate the benefits of apples, rich in vitamins, minerals, fruit acids, sugar and fiber. Vitamin C they contain helps strengthen the immune system, and potassium ensures the normal functioning of the endocrine glands, kidneys, brain, nerve tissue, blood vessels and capillaries. Thanks to sodium, apples stabilize blood pressure. The fruit is not one of the most common allergens; an allergy to apples is most often a consequence of other allergic reactions, such as pollen.

Phosphorus present in apples performs an irreplaceable function of calcium absorption. The fruit helps improve digestion, increases the acidity of gastric juice, which stimulates appetite.

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Is it possible to be allergic to apples?

In addition to cross-reaction, there is individual sensitivity to the coloring pigment – beta-carotene. It is present both in the peel and in the pulp of the product.

Is it possible to be allergic to apples? There is a clear answer to this question – allergic reactions occur to any food product, including apples. It is one thing if you picked the fruit from your own apple tree, not treated with chemicals. Such a product is unlikely to cause allergic symptoms, which cannot be said about an apple bought at the market or in a supermarket. But what if it is an “overseas” fruit, which was treated with special substances, covered with paraffin, etc. for the purpose of long-term storage?

People prone to allergic reactions are advised to wash the apple thoroughly with a brush, wipe it dry, and sometimes remove the peel before eating it. You should first try a small piece of the fruit and, if no reactions are detected within an hour, you can safely enjoy the juicy pulp.

Causes of apple allergy

Apple allergy sometimes affects entire families, which indicates a hereditary predisposition. It is not the disease itself that is passed on, but the possibility of its manifestation. If one of the parents suffers from allergies, the risk of the child becoming ill is 50%. When both parents are susceptible to allergic manifestations, the risk increases to 80%.

In addition to genetic causes, the following causes of apple allergy are identified:

• reaction to a pigment present in the apple;
• as a consequence of an allergy to pollen during the flowering period (especially birch pollen);
• reaction to toxic substances that help preserve the marketable appearance of the fruit (violation of storage rules);
• chemical treatment during fruit development (spraying the crown, the apples themselves);
• consumption of quince, pear;
• individual intolerance to the product.

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Symptoms of Apple Allergy

Symptoms of apple allergy are divided into:

• primary;
• cutaneous;
• respiratory;
• digestive.

Mild manifestations of an allergic reaction usually signal the onset of the disease. This may be a tingling sensation, various rashes in the area of the lips, throat or mouth, accompanied by itching.

Symptoms of an apple allergy on the skin are revealed an hour after eating the fruit. Characteristic signs are: peeling, redness, spots, scars, bumps on the skin. Pain and swelling of certain areas of the body may be observed.

More serious symptoms are breathing problems associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane tissues. They manifest themselves as nasal congestion, discharge from the nasal passages, and difficulty breathing.

Digestive problems such as diarrhea, pain, and vomiting are considered severe consequences of food allergies. Respiratory and digestive symptoms can lead to anaphylactic shock, so if weakness, dizziness, or loss of consciousness are detected, you should seek help immediately.

Allergy to green and red apples

It has been proven that green apples contain less sugar and more vitamins. Green apples have always been considered a dietary product that even allergy sufferers could eat.

Nowadays, there is also an allergy to green apples. Research on more than a hundred varieties of apple trees conducted by Swiss scientists has established:

• the allergic potential directly depends on the type of apple;
• Allergenic proteins are present in greater quantities in the peel than in the pulp of the fruit;
• the harvesting period and storage methods affect the strength of the allergen;
• Allergy to green apples is less common than allergy to red apples due to the lower allergen content.

In any case, the predisposition to allergies is associated with the individual characteristics of a particular organism and possible cross-reactions.

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Apple allergy in children

You can understand whether children are allergic to apples only by consuming the allergen. Symptoms appear within an hour - hives, itching, redness in the form of spots. The reaction from the digestive system occurs later, when the product has passed through the digestive tract. The child's body responds to the allergen with diarrhea, pain syndrome, nausea, vomiting.

Some children have an individual intolerance to apples due to a lack of enzymes for their complete digestion. There are two options for solving the problem: wait until the child's body outgrows them, or give special bifidocomplexes that help digestion.

Green apple varieties are considered hypoallergenic compared to red ones. If your baby is prone to allergic reactions, you can give him steamed or baked fruits instead of fresh ones. Preference should be given to local apples.

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Allergy to apples in infants

Babies under one year suffer from various allergic reactions. An allergy to apples in infants is characterized by skin manifestations such as exudative diathesis, seborrhea of the parietal zone and scalp, reddening of the cheeks. Reactions of the digestive system are observed in the form of bloating, dysbacteriosis, various disorders (diarrhea or constipation), pain in the digestive organs.

Modern medicine pays great attention to the diet of a nursing mother and the beginning of the first complementary feeding of the baby. What was considered normal several years ago is now unacceptable. Experts strongly recommend feeding only breast milk to a baby until he reaches four months, excluding impurities and additives. The time to start complementary feeding should be at 4-6 months if the baby looks hungry after breastfeeding or has problems gaining weight. Preference is given to vegetable juices and purees, fruits are in second place.

As for apples, nursing mothers are allowed only green varieties - "Antonovka", "Ranet", "Simirenko", "White Naliv". The same varieties are recommended for the beginning of fruit feeding. Acquaintance with apples should begin with a few drops of juice, part of a teaspoon of puree. Do not forget that each new product is introduced once a week. It is very important to monitor the reaction of the baby's body. At the first symptoms of an allergy to apples in a baby, you should consult an allergist.

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Treatment of apple allergy

Treatment of apple allergy is based on eliminating this fruit, as well as pears, quince and products made from them, from the diet. When heat treated, the allergenicity decreases, which often allows the product to be consumed. By replacing raw apples with baked, steamed or compote apples, you can get a lot of valuable vitamins from them. It is recommended to thoroughly wash fresh apples with a brush in warm water or remove the peel, which contains more allergens and toxins due to improper storage.

The use of the specific immune therapy (SIT) method consists of introducing increasing doses of the allergen into the patient's body in order to develop stable immunity. The treatment course is designed for three to four years with mandatory annual exposure.

Antihistamines and hormonal drugs help to cope with manifestations of allergic symptoms. Homeopathic remedies have proven themselves well. Therapy is accompanied by cleansing the digestive tract, nasopharynx, oral cavity, as well as diet. All treatment recommendations should be discussed with the attending physician and selected individually.

Medicines used to treat acute allergic reactions:

• epinephrine injection - is characterized by its rapid action, stopping the production of histamine, has a relaxing effect on muscles and makes breathing easier;
• antihistamines – block histamines, relieve itching and sneezing;
• corticosteroid drugs - to relieve inflammation;
• bronchodilator – relieves asthma symptoms, has a relaxing effect on the respiratory tract, making breathing easier.

Prevention of apple allergy

Like any type of food allergy, prevention of apple allergy in babies consists of feeding on mother's milk for as long as possible (up to a year and longer). Mothers of infants should not eat nuts, cow's milk, eggs, red apples.

Preventive measures include:

• timely referral to an allergist;
• adherence to a hypoallergenic diet with keeping a diary;
• timely treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gall bladder, prevention of chronic diseases;
• the use of immunomodulators to increase the body's defenses;
• avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking;
• Do not eat foods containing chemical additives or dyes.

To confirm the diagnosis of apple allergy, blood tests are taken, on the basis of which individual treatment is selected. Subsequent test results allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapeutic effect.