Pineapple allergy: Symptoms and foods to avoid

This is an automatically translated article.

Allergic reactions to pineapple can be triggered by eating small amounts of the fruit or drinking pineapple juice. You can even get an allergic reaction from touching pineapple. Allergic reactions to fruits, including pineapple, are less common than allergies to other foods, but they can be serious when they do occur. The following article helps provide you with the necessary information when you have a pineapple allergy.

1. What is a pineapple allergy?

Allergic reactions to pineapple can be triggered by eating small amounts of the fruit or drinking pineapple juice. You can even get an allergic reaction from touching pineapple. Allergic reactions to fruits, including pineapple, are less common than allergies to other foods, but they can be serious when they do occur.
The most common types of food allergies include:
Nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) Wheat Milk Fish Soya Shellfish Eggs

2. What are the symptoms?

You may have symptoms of a pineapple allergy soon after coming into contact with a pineapple or it may take up to several hours for your first symptoms to appear. Severe itching and hives are often the first symptoms of an allergic reaction. Hives can appear on one or more places on your body.
You may also have gastrointestinal symptoms, including stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These digestive symptoms are your body's way of trying to get rid of the allergen. In addition to digestive symptoms, pineapple allergy symptoms may include:
Swelling of the face, tongue, throat, and lips Shortness of breath Shortness of breath Flushing of the face Severe itching or rash Constipation Sinus congestion Metallic taste in the mouth Dizziness face Fainting Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Seek medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or think you may have anaphylaxis. In a study from 1993, 20 out of 32 people who tested positive for pineapple allergy experienced anaphylaxis after eating this fruit.

3. What are the risk factors?

You are more likely to develop a pineapple allergy if a loved one is allergic to pineapple. Close relatives include parents, siblings, and grandparents.
This is an especially important note when introducing new foods to infants. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), although it may seem counterintuitive, delaying the introduction of allergenic family foods can actually increase allergy risk.
Aim to introduce the most allergenic foods for infants 6 months of age For infants with existing atopic dermatitis, siblings with peanut allergy or previous allergic reaction, Talk to your doctor first.
Fruit, such as pineapple, may contain allergens found in other foods or substances. If you are allergic to pineapple, you may also be allergic to natural rubber latex. And, you may experience allergic symptoms when you come into contact with items made from it. Things made from natural latex include:
Hospital gloves Adhesive bandages Sanitary napkins Crutches Blood pressure monitors Condoms Rubber forceps Rubber toys Toothbrushes People who are allergic to latex Pineapple can also be allergic to birch or banana tree pollen, which is known as pollen allergy syndrome. Eating raw pineapple can lead to symptoms in the mouth or throat known as oral allergy syndrome, which rarely leads to anaphylaxis.
Cooked pineapple is generally tolerated by people with oral or pollen allergies. Raw pineapple also contains a protease enzyme called bromelain that can irritate the skin or lips, but is not life-threatening.

4. Complications

The most serious complication of a pineapple allergy is anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. You should seek medical help immediately if you think you are experiencing anaphylaxis. Symptoms include:
Wheezing Heart palpitations Difficulty breathing Swelling of tongue, lips or throat Loss of consciousness Purple around lips, fingertips or toes If you have had anaphylaxis in the past, your doctor may have prescribed an EpiPen. This is an auto-injected dose of epinephrine, which is a fast-acting adrenaline. It is used to reduce severe reactions of the immune system to an allergen.
You should seek emergency medical care immediately after using an EpiPen, even if your symptoms significantly decrease or resolve due to the possibility of a second wave reaction that does not respond to epinephrine.

5. Foods to avoid

If you have a pineapple allergy, you should avoid both canned and fresh pineapples. You should also not drink pineapple juice if you are allergic to pineapple.
Pineapple can also hide in other foods. Some of these products include:
Canned fruit salads or cocktails Pineapple salsa Pineapple rum Pineapple jam Pineapple jam Banana chips Pineapple soda or soft drink Tropical punch Tropical alcoholic beverages, such as margarine and piña coladas Candies Be sure to check the ingredient labels on foods before you buy them to make sure they don't contain pineapple. Also, when you eat out at a restaurant, let the waiter know that you have a pineapple allergy. This will help you avoid accidental contact with the fruit.
Pineapple enzymes can also be an ingredient in skin care products, such as soaps and face creams. You should always check the ingredient list and not use a product if you have any doubts about what is in it.

6. When to see your doctor

If you suspect you are allergic to pineapple, talk to your doctor. They may recommend that you take an over-the-counter antihistamine to ease your symptoms, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
If you have ever had anaphylaxis, your doctor will prescribe an EpiPen that you can use if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, treat the situation as a medical emergency. Call your local emergency service or have someone drive you to the nearest hospital.
Food allergies can occur for the first time at any point in a person's life. In the United States, nearly 8 percent of children and 4 percent of adults have food allergies. You may have a more severe pineapple allergy if you develop it as a child, or it can appear at any time in your life.
A doctor can confirm a pineapple allergy through blood or skin testing. And it's important to let them know exactly what happened. Your doctor may recommend avoiding pineapple altogether, and they may also prescribe an antihistamine or EpiPen as a precaution.
Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, avoid pineapple and any product that may contain the fruit. If you eliminate your exposure to the fruit, you won't experience any symptoms.

7. Alternative food

Pineapple may be refreshing and contains a lot of vitamin C, but so are many other fruits. Delicious substitutes for pineapple include:
Apples Pear Grapes Bell peppers Citrus fruits Mango You can also use mango or apple juice instead of pineapple juice in many tropical recipes. If you want to add sweetness to baked goods or snacks, raisins, dates, and dried cranberries are good substitutes.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: healthline.com