Overview
Cabbage allergy is rare but can occur. In this article, we will discuss in detail allergy to cabbage and related terms. Cabbage is a plant that is eaten as a vegetable and its leaves are used in medicines. It belongs to the broccoli and banana family. It is used for the hard and painful breasts of lactating women. Cabbage leaves are used to treat cancer and gastritis.
Cabbage was first cultivated as wild cabbage. It originated from loose-leaf plants in the Mediterranean and Adriatic regions. The cabbage plant is biennial and grows up to 0.75 m.
The shapes of these plants can be flat, conical, round, or simple. Most types of plants have small stems, leaves, or flowers that form a compact head. The cabbage plant was developed in the 16th century. Harvesting is possible year-round, in Western Europe, the Baltic states, China, Japan, and the United States.
The cabbage plant does not grow in the forest and grows only on cultivated land. Its leaves are also eaten as a salad. Cabbage is used to make soups and mayonnaise. Sauerkraut is made by fermenting cabbage leaves which is very useful for the digestive system.
Cabbage Allergy
Sensitive people who consume this vegetable in their diet suffer from the symptoms of this allergy. Cabbage causes allergic reactions and can have serious side effects of food allergies. After eating cabbage, it begins to produce protein in the immune system.
The immune system will recognize the protein as a threat and stimulate the production of IgE antibodies. These antibodies will trigger the release of histamine which will trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Its symptoms are usually mild and anaphylaxis it can be a fatal reaction. Get immediate medical attention if you have difficulty breathing after eating cabbage. In general, cabbage is a healthy and valuable vegetable.
Cabbage is an excellent source of antioxidants. It is used as alternative medicine in the treatment of arthritis, constipation, and heart disease.
Cabbage Allergy Symptoms
Cabbage is a good source of vitamins A, C, B1, and B2 as well as potassium, sulfur, calcium, folate, and magnesium. Increased levels of antioxidants in cabbage can counteract the harmful effects of free radicals. It also lowers the risk of developing tumors, mostly breast, cervical, bladder, and colon cancers.
Symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The protein in the roots and stems of cabbage causes allergic reactions in some people.
- Swelling on the lips, face, palate, and tongue
- Itching and redness on the skin
- Runny nose and itching in the nose
- Watery or puffy eyes
- Wounds on the skin
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hay Fever
- Contact dermatitis
- Inflammation of the airways
- Granting
- Chest tightness
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Light headline
- Be unconscious
Negative reactions between proteins and the immune system in cabbage trigger abnormal symptoms. The use of cabbage for the treatment of diseases is not approved. But, many people use this wild vegetable to treat various health ailments and to lose weight.
All of these cases show symptoms and result in anaphylaxis. When these symptoms appear, immediate medical attention should be given to prevent this allergy.
Causes of Allergy to cabbage
According to Bra o3 experts, a 9 kDa cabbage lipid transfer protein, a heat-resistant allergen, is found in people with cabbage allergies. A protein enzyme in cabbage stems and roots is known as chitinase. It has the property of triggering an allergic reaction.
When these proteins combine with antibodies, they activate the pro-inflammatory immune cells. Cabbage triggers a chemical reaction between mast cells, histamines, and proteins. Moreover, some other factors can cause cabbage allergy:
- Weed pollen Allergy
- Allergic reaction to products from the Cruciferous family
- The body’s response to LTP proteins, eg peach LTP
Cabbage Allergy Cross-reactivity
As mentioned before, this plant belongs to the Brassica Oleracea family. Cabbage allergy can occur by cross-reactivity to the similar protein present in other plants. Allergic reactions to cabbage can occurred to any plant belonging to family brassicaceae. These include:
- Savoy cabbage
- Beijing (Chinese) Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Mustard
- Kohlrabi
- Turnip
- Horseradish
- Radish
- Swede
Diagnosis
The allergist diagnoses the allergy by performing several tests. The IgE tests the skin for a variety of substances to confirm antibodies so that the allergy can be determined. He may also perform:
- Physical Test
- Blood test using ImmunoCap method
- Skin test or skin prick test
- Ask about your Food diary
- Provocative test
Treatment for Cabbage allergy
If a person is allergic to cabbage, he should avoid cooked or raw cabbage to avoid allergies. The best treatment for cabbage allergy is diet. In addition, you should avoid all cooked vegetable and foods that contain cabbage.
Cabbage is commonly used in coleslaw and salads, you should avoid them. Before buying the product, make sure that you do not use cabbage in many of the things that cause allergies in you.
Remember that Brussels sprouts and broccoli belong to the cabbage family. They contain the same proteins that can be dangerous to your immune system.
If a person eats cabbage, they may be given over-the-counter antihistamines and corticosteroids. As medical aid, this will help to reduce allergic reactions and discomfort. In severe reactions, the allergist prescribes injectable epinephrine or epinephrine.
Patients who have a severe allergic reaction to cabbage. He should talk to a doctor and take an epinephrine auto-injector for immediate medication.
