Date Allergy
Date allergy is also a type of food allergy. This fruit is taken by humans for thousands of years and till now. As the oldest cultivated fruit, date fruit played an important role in several ancient empires and religions.
The date is one of the most perfect foods because it is rich in excellent and good nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals, therefore it helps and treats certain diseases.
They are especially important during the month of Ramadan. It is eaten regularly during iftar time after a long day fasting by Muslims in Ramadan.
With all these benefits, date fruit can make too many problems in most people. Dates are eaten daily worldwide but recent reports show that dates are allergenic in some people. Date allergy is a rare occurrence because most doctors and experts offer date fruit.
Date allergy Symptoms
The date is healthy and safe fruit to eat for infants or pregnant women. However, if you have an allergic reaction after an eating date then it is an adverse reaction by the body’s immune system to date. Sometimes an allergic reaction to dates can cause:
- Inflammation in the mouth and throat.
- Itching in the mouth, throat, oral allergy syndrome
- Redness on the lips and swelling
- Runny and stuffed nose
- Red, itchy, and watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
- Itchy and redness on the skin
- Vomiting
- Stomach and belly pain
- Wheezing and difficult breathing
These reactions can occur after immediate eating of date and last 5 to 15 minutes. It may reoccur after 20 to 50 minutes.
An allergic person can show the symptoms of Eczema or Urticaria after an eating date. These symptoms are the general symptoms of allergic reaction not all of them occur in date allergy.
Causes
Research shows that people having date allergies have different allergic reactions to the proteins found in date fruit. Moreover, palm tree powder is also known as an allergen. Allergy to date fruit is most likely caused by sulfites or mold. The dried date is a common origin of mold.
Too much exposure to this can cause symptoms such as wheezing, a stuffy or runny nose, trouble breathing, itchy watery eyes, and rashes on the skin.
Experts estimate that 1 percent of people are allergic to sulfites. As a preservative sulfites are often added to dry fruit. Sulfites are banned in vegetables and fruit. Allergic reactions to it can develop at any time in life.
Symptoms resemble those for asthma. Some people show allergies to the allergen present in the date skin. This allergy is quite rare but it does not mean that it doesn’t exist.
Date Allergy Treatment
The best way for a person with allergies is to avoid the allergen. A person with an allergic reaction to date fruit should avoid date or its other products. It’s important for the person who has a severe reaction to dates to avoid consuming dates or products that contain dates.
People with date allergies should also be careful when drinking fruit juices, especially mixed fruit juices. A small amount of date powder in these drinks can cause a severe allergic reaction.
In case of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), you need immediate medical help. Your specialist will perform a skin or blood test in order to diagnose you properly. After a complete diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe you medicine according to your condition.
Conclusions
Besides lots of benefits of date fruit, it causes date allergy which is also a type of food allergy. It rarely causes an allergic reaction in some sensitive people. There are several foods that have protein similar to date fruit, these may cause cross-reactivity.
Symptoms of allergic reaction to date fruit can range from vomiting to difficulty breathing. If you feel any of the symptoms mentioned above after consuming date fruit. Immediately contact your allergist before it worsens and seeks immediate medical attention.
Note: This article is just for information purposes, not for medical help. So, if you feel even any mild symptoms after eating date fruit, you should contact your doctor. Besides, if you have any additional questions regarding this, you can contact us. Our team is always here for your help and guidance. Stay Healthy!
