Overview
Some foods are more likely to develop allergies than others. Among them is the strawberry, which causes strawberry allergy in some people. This berry is very useful. It contains many vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals.
Strawberries surpass many fruits in their value. It is used in the treatment of blood pressure, diabetes, and disorders of the digestive system. But an allergic reaction to strawberries can occur at any age.
Strawberry Allergy Symptoms
Strawberry allergy is most susceptible to people having an intolerance to strawberries. So, they should be careful when eating strawberries and eat them in small portions. A negative reaction after eating berries can occur within a few minutes, but sometimes it takes hours and days.
Allergy symptoms can vary from person to person. They depend on the state of health, the tendency to allergies, and the number of berries eaten. The symptoms of strawberry allergy relate to other food allergies. The most common of them are:
- Severe runny nose and sneezing
- Tearing or watery eyes
- Oral allergy syndrome
- Skin rash
- Vomiting
- Hives
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Swelling and itching of the mouth
If at least one of these symptoms occurs after eating a serving of strawberries. Then there is an allergic reaction to it. It exposure itself in the form of rashes on the body. These are specified by severe itching and are fraught with blisters.
But if the portion is large enough. Food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and stool disorders are also possible. Sometimes even convulsions and fever are observed.
The most serious reaction of an allergy to strawberries can be anaphylactic shock. Its symptoms are as follows:
- Severe drop in blood pressure
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Angioedema, which can spread to the face, throat, and genitals
- Shortness of breath, suffocation.
If immediate help is not provided to a patient with anaphylactic shock, it can become life-threatening.
Risk Factors
You should carefully check your condition after eating strawberries. This is especially true for the following categories of people:
- Children and pregnant women. Their allergic reaction can be very acute and fraught with complications.
- People with a hereditary tendency
- A birch pollen allergy
- Allergy sufferers – not only eating berries but also touching them, inhaling the smell. So on can provoke an allergic attack.
- People suffering from bronchial asthma. The pores of strawberries contain pollen, which can cause an attack of suffocation.
Such people should eat strawberries starting with 1-2 berries. So that they can assess their condition later. Also, they should not mix it with other allergenic products, such as dairy. To protect yourself, you can consult with an allergist in advance about the possibility of eating a berry.
Treatment
First of all, you need to make sure that the allergy symptoms are caused by eating strawberries. Not some other food or substance is causing allergy symptoms. To do this, contact an allergist and seek medical advice. He will prescribe special allergy tests (skin tests) and be able to accurately diagnose.
Allergists reduce treatment measures after the onset of an allergy. They do this to remove the allergen from the patient’s life at least for a while. It is necessary to observe the content of strawberry extracts and flavors in products with which the patient comes into contact.
To remove the symptoms, the doctor prescribes a drug from the group of antihistamines. Today they are vastly represented on sale. But you should not choose such a remedy for treatment yourself.
The allergist will select the best option for each specific case of the disease. Depending on its severity, symptoms, and other characteristics of the patient. Otherwise, you can only harm your health by choosing the wrong drug.
Many antihistamine medications do not have the side effects of drowsiness and confusion. These are, for example,
- Telfast
- Arius
- Aleron
- Eden.
They are often prescribed if the patient has allergic rhinitis. But in some situations, it is still necessary to take old-generation drugs.
- Diazolin
- Suprastin
- loratadine and other
In this case, work activities and driving should be limited.
Diet for people with strawberry allergy
A hypoallergenic diet helps to reduce the symptoms of strawberry allergy. In some cases, it helps to completely get rid of strawberry allergy. A doctor suggests it individually for each patient. In an elimination diet, you should avoid strawberries. If you are allergic to strawberries, you may show cross-reactivity to other foods. The diet excludes strawberries and other highly allergenic foods, such as:
- milk
- nuts
- redfish
- citrus fruits
- eggs
- food containing preservatives
On the base of the tests, the doctor will determine which products may be dangerous for the patient. They will also be removed from the diet. In this case, a person should eat for several weeks, and then gradually add one excluded product to his menu. For some patients, this diet helps to get rid of strawberry allergies.
What to Avoid
Strawberry belongs to the Rosaceae family and is very famous in this family. If you have an allergy to any fruits or vegetables in this family, you could also have a strawberry allergy. The other fruits included in the Rosaceae family are:
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Raspberry
- Peaches
- Apple
People having strawberry allergies may also react to:
Strawberry Allergy in Baby
In childhood, there is a chance of a cure for allergies when the child gets older. If at the first use of strawberries, there was a negative reaction. It should be excluded from the diet for a year or even two. Next time you can try 2-3 berries and observe the reaction of the body.
If allergy symptoms reappear, it is best not to give the child strawberries until the age of 7-8 years. By this time, his immune system will be more developed.
If a person who has eaten strawberries develops symptoms of anaphylactic shock. It is important to take him to the hospital as soon as possible for medical help. There, he will receive emergency care and further treatment.
Can children and pregnant women eat strawberries?
Strawberries are a healthy berry that contains a large number of vitamins. Her presence in the diet will only benefit the child. But it should be introduced into the children’s menu after the baby is one year old and start with a small piece.
Possible symptoms of strawberry allergy in children are like those in adults. Usually, it is a small red color rash, itching, and sometimes swelling. Fresh berries are more likely to cause allergies than those that have undergone heat treatment.
If the child has an intolerance to other foods, then you should be especially careful. In this case, before giving him strawberries to try. It is better to visit an allergist and conduct the necessary tests.
But women should give up strawberries during pregnancy. Especially those who are prone to allergic reactions. In the first trimester, it is not recommended to use it. As it increases the tone of the uterus, and this can provoke a miscarriage.
By the end of the second trimester, the fetal immune system becomes very sensitive to allergenic foods. Therefore, starting from the 22nd week of pregnancy, strawberries are also not recommended. Coping with the symptoms of a strawberry allergy is not easy, so it is better to prevent its growth. If there are conditions for strawberry intolerance, you should visit a specialized doctor.
