Citrus allergies: Symptoms and foods to avoid

This is an automatically translated article.

A citrus allergy is an allergic reaction to citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Most symptoms appear after eating or drinking from citrus fruits. The following article helps you better understand the symptoms of tangerine allergy and how to prevent it.

1. Symptoms of a citrus allergy

Allergies to citrus fruits are rare, but they can still happen. Potentially allergenic citrus fruits include :
Citrus Oranges Grapefruit Many people can also be allergic to fresh fruit and citrus juices or even to the rind of citrus fruits. they.
Symptoms of a citrus allergy include tingling and discomfort in the lips, tongue, and throat, redness accompanied by mild swelling of the lips and gums, or contact dermatitis. In quite rare cases, a citrus allergy can cause anaphylaxis.
People who develop contact dermatitis after touching these fruits are most likely allergic to limonene, a chemical found in the peels of citrus fruits. Limonene, also found in some perfumes and other products, can also cause allergic reactions. Therefore, be sure to carefully read the labels of products that may contain citrus ingredients.
Most people with a citrus allergy experience symptoms after eating foods or drinks made with raw citrus fruits. Symptoms are often localized, meaning that the person can feel them anywhere the raw fruit touches his or her skin or mucous membranes. Symptoms include:
Severe tingling and itching in the lips, tongue and throat Redness and mild swelling of the lips and gums These are symptoms of oral allergy syndrome (OAS). People with OAS who have a reaction to citrus fruits can usually eat the fruits when they have been processed. Symptoms may appear later after eating, even if the person has been eating the fruit for years without problems.
People who are allergic to citrus peels may experience symptoms of contact dermatitis if they come into contact with citrus peels. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by their skin releasing inflammatory chemicals after coming into contact with an allergen. Symptoms include:
Skin redness Burning sensation on exposed skin Severe itching Dry, scaly, flaky skin Swelling Swelling In rare cases, a citrus allergy can cause an allergic reaction systemic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Reddened skin Swelling of the mouth and throat, which can cause difficulty breathing Asthma Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Low blood pressure

2. Causes of citrus allergy

An allergic reaction is a reaction that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly reacts against substances that do not normally pose a threat to us. These substances are called allergens. When our immune system reacts to an allergen, it causes an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions to raw citrus fruits are sometimes seen in people with pollen allergies, in a condition known as cross-reactivity. Others may experience an allergic reaction after coming into contact with the peel of a citrus fruit. There have also been some documented cases of certain citrus fruits causing a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, although this is actually very rare.
One thing that can't cause an allergic reaction is citric acid. Citric acid is a chemical found in the juices of citrus fruits, which gives them their sour taste. Citric acid itself is not an allergen, although it can irritate the skin and mouth, and even cause stomach upset. However, citric acid does not trigger an immune system response. So, although many people may be sensitive to this chemical, it is not technically an allergen.
2.1. Cross-reactivity Many allergic reactions to citrus are due to oral allergy syndrome, which is caused by a pollen allergy. This is called cross-reactivity, which occurs because pollen and fruit can share certain proteins. These proteins cause the body to react and cause allergies. Allergic cross-reactivity to this pollen food causes oral allergy syndrome.
People who are allergic to grasses are especially likely to develop oral allergy syndrome to citrus fruits. A 2013 study looked at 72 children and young adults with grass pollen allergies. They exposed participants to the fruits of fresh lemons, oranges, and clementine with a test that tested for allergic reactions under the skin and found that 39% of participants who were allergic to pollen also had sensitivities. feel for citrus.
2.2. Limonene Allergy People who are allergic to citrus peels are often allergic to limonene, a chemical found in citrus peels. These people simply touching the outside of a citrus fruit can trigger contact dermatitis symptoms, even though they can drink the fresh juice. Limonene is also commonly used as a fragrance agent in cosmetics and perfumery.
2.3. Systemic allergies Not much is known about the number of people who have a systemic allergy to citrus fruits, but there are documented cases of people having severe anaphylactic reactions to oranges and other citrus fruits. other citrus. There have also been cases of anaphylaxis caused by exercise and the use of energy drinks with citrus ingredients. This is a specific form of food allergy in which an allergic reaction occurs only after ingesting the allergen and exercising shortly thereafter.

3. Diagnosis and treatment of citrus allergy

3.1. Diagnosis A doctor will likely ask about a person's diet and symptoms, and they may also perform other physical exams to diagnose allergies. The doctor may ask a person to record their meals and symptoms in a food diary. This will help identify the factors that trigger the allergic reaction.
Alternatively, your doctor may also perform allergy tests, but these tests often give false-positive or negative results. Common allergy tests include:
Subcutaneous testing A skin prick test involves using a needle to apply a diluted allergen to the skin. If within 15 minutes the skin becomes red and itchy or a bump appears, a person is likely allergic to the substance.
An intradermal test will likely be used to confirm the results. In this test, a diluted allergen is injected just below the surface of the skin. A visible reaction indicates whether the person is allergic to the chemical.
Blood tests When diagnosing a citrus allergy, your doctor may order a blood test. This will determine the amount of immunoglobulin E antibodies in the blood. A person with a high number of antibodies is likely to be allergic to the substance tested.
Blood tests are more expensive than skin tests. Also, results take longer and blood tests are often less accurate.
3.2. Treatment of citrus allergies There is no specific cure for citrus allergies, although symptoms may subside over time. If a person can eliminate the exposure to the fruit, the symptoms will disappear. When you cannot avoid citrus exposure completely, the following treatments may reduce allergy symptoms:
Medications Certain prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can treat these symptoms. allergic reaction. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may prescribe:
Oral antihistamines Inhalation sprays Ointments or lotions

Immunotherapy Immunotherapy can be used to treat severe cases of allergies. People receiving immunotherapy receive an allergen injection, with the aim of reducing immune response and sensitivity over time.
Some cases of pollen allergies are treated with another form of immunotherapy, including a pill placed under the tongue, instead of an injection.
Emergency Epinephrine People with severe citrus allergies are at risk for anaphylaxis. They will likely always have to carry an emergency epinephrine syringe, such as an EpiPen or Auvi-Q, with them.
Citrus allergy is a rare condition and has the potential to cause serious problems. A person can reduce or eliminate symptoms by eliminating citrus fruits from their diet and avoiding products that contain citrus or their extracts. Although there is no cure, medications and immunotherapy can help ease symptoms. People with severe citrus allergies should carry an emergency epinephrine pen to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal case.
If you have any questions related to the topic of nutrition for the body that need advice from a doctor, you can leave your question in the ASK VINMEC DOCTOR section directly on the hospital website. Your question will be sent to the doctor and you will receive a consultation as soon as possible!

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 sources: healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com