What does an allergic reaction to strawberries look like

Sweet in flavour and iconically British, strawberries are one of the U.K’s most loved fruits; no Valentine’s Day, tennis match or summer would be complete without them. It’s hard to overstate their popularity; at certain times of the year, the little red berries even outsell household staples like milk and bread .

It’s lucky then, that as well as being delicious, strawberries have a number of health benefits. Containing more vitamin C by weight than oranges, the fruit is a great source of antioxidants, and can help to boost immunity, regulate blood pressure, and even prevent wrinkles. The strawberry’s characteristic red colour comes from the high presence of flavonoids in the fruit, something which also makes them great for reducing cholesterol. Plus, as a 100g serving contains only 50 calories, meaning they’re incredibly low in fat.

Although fairly uncommon, strawberry allergies and intolerances do exist. As the condition is rare, strawberries don’t need to be labelled as a potential allergen, and some might be wondering if it’s even possible to be intolerant or allergic to strawberries. Again, some may be confused as to what the difference between a strawberry allergy and intolerance may be.
To clear up any misconceptions, we’ve put together some of the common signs, symptoms, and remedies of strawberry intolerance and strawberry allergy.

What are the symptoms of strawberry allergy?

Common symptoms of strawberry allergy include:
• Redness and tingling of the skin
• Itchy rashes
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Swelling of lips and tongue
• Swelling of throat
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Diarrhoea

These symptoms will vary depending on person to person, may not all be present, and can often take a few hours to develop. The method of contact with strawberry will also influence the types of symptoms that occur. For example, symptoms like nausea, bloating, diarrhoea, and lip swelling are less likely to occur if the sufferer has not ingested the strawberry. Unlike other allergies, it’s rare – but not impossible – for strawberry allergy sufferers to experience anaphylaxis.

What is a strawberry intolerance?

A strawberry intolerance differs from strawberry allergy. Whereas a strawberry allergy is likely to be a lifelong condition, intolerance to the fruit can be temporary, and first be displayed later in life.

What are the symptoms of strawberry intolerance?

For symptoms of strawberry intolerance to be exhibited, the fruit needs to be ingested. Unlike with allergies, symptoms are unlikely to have a quick onset, and can take from a few hours to a few days to develop. Common symptoms of strawberry intolerance include:
• Stomach pain/upset
• Bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches
• Skin rashes and inflammation
• Swelling of face/lips

What should I do if I think I have a strawberry allergy or intolerance?

It’s important to state that whatever the cause or symptoms, allergies have the potential to be seriously debilitating and life threatening. The rareness of strawberry allergies doesn’t make them any less serious, and if you think you may be suffering from an allergy, you should consult a doctor to get a diagnosis. If you have a strawberry allergy, it may be the case that you’re prescribed an anti-histamine to help prevent symptoms flaring up.

This applies to strawberry intolerance too. If you think consumption of the fruit may be causing you discomfort and illness, it’s still a good idea to consult your GP to see if an undiagnosed medical condition might be the cause. It’s important not to make a standalone decision to eliminate any food from your diet, especially one with the nutritional value and health benefits of strawberry. A survey conducted by yorktest have found that 64% of our customers react to between 2 and 8 foods, meaning that simply cutting out one food might not have any benefit. A food intolerance test could help you understand whether it’s strawberries or something else that are acting as a trigger, and lead you to either keep or trial phasing out the food from your diet.

Think you have an intolerance, but not sure what to? Our FoodScan Programme can pinpoint potential trigger foods, and help you make decisions towards optimising your diet.

Avoiding Strawberry Allergy Reactions

Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits. They are fresh and delicious and packed with nutrients. In 2018, around 1.43 million tons of strawberries were produced in the United States only. They are one of the most consumed fruits in the summer and also a very common ingredient for Valentine's Day recipes.

Despite its popularity, strawberry allergy is more common than we think. Symptoms can range from a rash or an itchy feeling in your mouth to a life-threatening reaction. Learn-ing how to avoid strawberries and similar fruits to prevent reactions is crucial.

What does an allergic reaction to strawberries look like

What is a strawberry allergy?

Strawberry allergy is an oral allergy, that is, a reaction of your immune system to a spe-cific protein that it mistakenly identifies as bad. The oral allergy syndrome, also known as pollen-food syndrome, can be triggered by proteins in certain fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spices because they’re similar to allergy-causing proteins found in certain pol-lens.

If you’re allergic to strawberries, you may also have a strawberry family allergy. Fruits of the Rosacea family, such as pears, peaches, cherries, apples or raspberries, might cause you an allergic reaction. However, some of the symptoms can be less severe when the fruits are cooked instead of eaten raw.

What does an allergic reaction to strawberries look like

How to avoid a reaction?

Oral allergies are fairly common among children and adults. Although most adults who develop allergies usually do so in their twenties or thirties, they can be developed at any age.

If you or your child notice any reactions after eating strawberries, you must eliminate them from your or their diet right away. The most common symptoms are itching and inflammation of the throat and mouth, itchy skin, hives, coughing and wheezing, dizzi-ness, diarrhea, vomiting, and congestion.

It is very important to be aware that many foods contain strawberries. Many snacks and desserts use fresh strawberries, strawberry jams, and even strawberry flavorings. You must be careful too with the mentioned Rosacea family fruits. Find alternatives that are safe for you and can help you when you have a sweet tooth.

Valentine’s Day alternatives

Holidays can get tricky when dealing with food allergies. Strawberries, with their bright red color and heart shape, are considered one of the traditional Valentine’s Day foods. They are also the symbol of Venus, the Roman goddess of Love. However, you must not let your strawberry allergy get in the way of a romantic and delicious Valentine’s Day meal.

You can start the day with a delicious breakfast with heart-shaped banana pancakes. How about a romantic Italian lunch with a gluten and dairy-free pizza? Of course, if you too associate Valentine’s Day with indulging in the sweetness, you can enjoy a black chocolate fondue or treat yourself with the AllergySafe brownies.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/193288/us-total-strawberry-production-since-2000/

How long does it take to have an allergic reaction to strawberries?

Similar to other types of food allergies, strawberry allergy usually shows symptoms within minutes to 2 hours after eating.

Can you suddenly develop an allergy to strawberries?

Sudden On-set & Later in Life Strawberry Allergy Many individuals, particularly young children, can develop an allergy to strawberries if they do not get exposed to the food early in life. As a result, exposure to certain foods later in life can sometimes trigger an allergic reaction.

What does a fruit allergy look like?

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

Can eating strawberries cause a skin rash?

Answer: The rash you describe, which is called perioral contact dermatitis, is a very common food reaction. It is frequently seen after a person eats fruits or vegetables that are very acidic, such as strawberries, oranges and tomatoes.