Strawberry Allergy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Management (2023)

FAQs

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to strawberries? ›

The most common symptom of a strawberry allergy is itchy skin, which is often concentrated around the mouth, lips, and face. Congestion is another mild symptom that involves a runny nose, watering eyes, and wheezing.

People can often treat mild reactions at home using over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines. Antihistamines will stop the immune system from overreacting to the strawberries and will help prevent the symptoms or reduce their severity.

The Fra a proteins are a major allergen group identified in strawberry This is not a true strawberry allergy, but a cross reactivity of the proteins to the birch tree pollen. Treatment is heating the fruit or just avoiding it.

Try an over-the-counter remedy

They include: Oral antihistamines. Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy) and loratadine (Claritin, Alavert).

Strawberries and other fruits in the Rosaceae family are linked to birch allergic rhinitis (hay fever). The symptoms of oral allergy syndrome usually resolve when the raw fruit (or vegetable causing oral allergy syndrome) is swallowed or taken out of your mouth, but this isn't always the case.

There are no known side effects strawberries can cause. If you are allergic to certain berries, check with your doctor, if this fruit is safe for you.

If you suspect you have a food allergy, avoid exposure to the food altogether until your doctor's appointment. If you do eat the food and have a mild reaction, over-the-counter antihistamines may help relieve symptoms. If you have a more severe reaction and any signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek emergency help.

The standard treatment is to avoid raw fruit - once it has been processed or cooked, the allergen is destroyed and it is safe to eat, so you should be fine to enjoy stewed or canned fruits.

Strawberries are high in histamine, so should be avoided by people following a low histamine diet. Strawberries are very high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

Are strawberries a high allergy food? ›

Berries, including strawberries, aren't considered a highly allergenic food. But you may notice that they can cause a rash around your baby's mouth. Acidic foods like berries, citrus fruits, and veggies, and tomatoes can cause irritation around the mouth, but this reaction shouldn't be considered an allergy.

Fruits. A great variety of different fruits have been reported as causing allergic reactions, however, the most prevalent and best described are reactions to apple, peach and kiwi fruit.

Vitamin deficiency. Low levels of vitamin B-12 and folate can cause a strawberry tongue, but this deficiency will likely be diagnosed if you experience its more common symptoms.

Latex allergy and food

Some people with latex allergy have allergic reactions when eating particular foods, including avocado, banana, chestnut, kiwifruit, passionfruit, plum, strawberry and tomato. This is because some of the proteins in latex that cause latex allergy are also present in these fruits.

Although not common, food can cause eczema to flare, according to Del Campo. He adds that acidic foods can be a particular issue, including strawberries, tomatoes, and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.

If you have a bleeding disorder, use strawberry with caution. Surgery: Using strawberry in larger amounts might slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might increase the chance of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using strawberry at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

If you are allergic to a fruit in this family, you may also be allergic to strawberries. Some people have allergic cross-reactivity with symptoms including itchy mouth, itchy throat, swelling inside the mouth and throat. This allergic reaction is related to pollen allergy.

Can strawberries affect your stomach? ›

Your stomach may get upset.

"If you're not used to eating fibrous foods and you eat a large quantity of strawberries, you may experience heartburn, diarrhea, reflux, or bloating, just as some people experience after eating too much of any fruit," The Nutrition Twins explain.

Minor Allergic Reaction

In these cases, OTC or prescribed antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help reduce symptoms. These drugs can be taken after exposure to an allergy-causing food to help relieve skin redness, itching, or hives. However, antihistamines cannot treat a severe allergic reaction.

Hives, itching or eczema. Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body. Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a common medication for hay fever, but they can also have positive benefits for fruit allergies caused by OAS. Histamine is released during an allergic reaction – it's this substance that causes allergy symptoms.

Allergic reactions to foods may occur within a few minutes after eating the food, but rarely symptoms may also develop after hours, making the relationship with ingestion of food less clear. Symptoms generally disappear within hours but can last for days.

In more serious reactions, there may be swelling of the mouth, back of the throat and windpipe as well as hives. Those of us with the condition usually develop symptoms within minutes of eating the food, and they typically dissipate in less than 15 minutes. Just enough time to make a person go a bit crazy.

Use an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin), to treat mild symptoms. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Mild symptoms include sneezing or an itchy or runny nose; an itchy mouth; a few hives or mild itching; and mild nausea or stomach discomfort.

The immune system recognizes the pollen and similar proteins in the food and directs an allergic response to it. The allergen is destroyed by heating the food, which can then be consumed with no problem.

Allergic reactions to fruit are commonly associated with oral allergy syndrome (OAS). It's also known as pollen-food allergy. OAS occurs from cross-reactivity. The immune system recognizes the similarity between pollen (a common allergen) and the proteins in raw fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts.

Why do I get a rash around my mouth after eating strawberries? ›

This is called perioral contact dermatitis. It is seen after eating acidic fruits and vegetables like orange, tomato and strawberries and is one of the most common food reactions. If a food does this, it can be avoided.

Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet

Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets.

Diagnosing A Fruit Allergy

A skin prick test can identify over 40 allergens. Your doctor will test your skin to see if it reacts to pollen and latex, the common causes of a fruit allergy. If results are negative, you may need to do an oral food challenge during your office visit.

Citrus fruits

Eating foods high in vitamin C has been shown to decrease allergic rhinitis , the irritation of the upper respiratory tract caused by pollen from blooming plants. So during allergy season, feel free to load up on high-vitamin C citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes.

Type I: reaction mediated by IgE antibodies. Type II: cytotoxic reaction mediated by IgG or IgM antibodies. Type III: reaction mediated by immune complexes. Type IV: delayed reaction mediated by cellular response.

Emergency first aid for severe allergic reactions

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is life-threatening and requires urgent action . Lay the person flat – do not allow them to stand or walk. Give adrenaline injector (such as EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the outer mid-thigh.

Skin rashes, itching or hives. Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Shortness of breath, trouble breathing or wheezing (whistling sound during breathing) Dizziness and/or fainting.

The Rarest (And Strangest) Allergies

Water: Medically known as aquagenic urticaria, patients with a water allergy develop painful hives and rashes when their skin is exposed to water. An allergic reaction will develop regardless of the water temperature, and even when the water is purified.

What are the worst symptoms of allergies? ›

Major Food Allergens

Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA). This law identified eight foods as major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.

It happens because some fruit and vegetables, such as strawberries and cucumbers, have proteins that look like pollen to the body, so it reacts by producing antibodies that can cause your mouth and throat to tingle or itch.

Mild to moderate symptoms may include: a red raised rash (known as hives or urticaria) anywhere on the body. a tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth. swelling of lips, face or eyes.

Common signs and symptoms include: itching or tingling in the mouth. swelling of tongue, lips, and throat. sneezing and nasal congestion.

As with cherries, scientists suspect it is anthocyanin, along with other phytochemicals, that gives strawberries their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant health benefits.

Allergy desensitization is a longer-term option for fruit allergies and pollen itself. The process involves building tolerance through gradual interactions with allergens. For OAS, patients will usually receive allergy shots that desensitize the immune system to the particular type of pollen causing issues.

Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome. If you suffer from hay fever and you've experienced an itchy mouth or scratchy throat after eating certain raw fruits or vegetables, and some tree nuts, you may have symptoms of Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome, also called Oral Allergy Syndrome.

How do you flush food allergens out of your system? ›

Keep yourself hydrated. "While your body is purging the allergen food from it is system, the best thing you can do is drink plenty of fluids," Zeitlin says. Water is always a good idea, but you can also sip on low calorie sports drinks to replenish the electrolytes you're likely losing, Zeitlin says.

Food intolerances affect your digestive system. People who suffer from an intolerance, or sensitivity, can't break down certain foods. They develop gas, diarrhea and other problems.

It mostly occurs within 20 minutes to 2 hours after exposure to the allergen. Signs and symptoms may be mild at first, but can rapidly worsen. A small number of people suddenly develop signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) without any signs of a mild to moderate allergic reaction.

Diagnosing A Fruit Allergy

A skin prick test can identify over 40 allergens. Your doctor will test your skin to see if it reacts to pollen and latex, the common causes of a fruit allergy. If results are negative, you may need to do an oral food challenge during your office visit.

A great variety of different fruits have been reported as causing allergic reactions, however, the most prevalent and best described are reactions to apple, peach and kiwi fruit.