Fruits have been reported to cause a wide range of allergic reactions. Members of the Rosaceae family cause the most reactions. These fruits include apples, pears, peaches, and strawberries. The allergen responsible for these fruit allergies is lipid transfer protein (LTP). LTP is a pan-allergen in plant-derived foods that is resistant to pepsin digestion.
Other fruits cause allergic reactions due to oral allergy syndrome. This condition describes a cross-reaction between pollen and fruit. If you are allergic to many types of pollen, you will probably be allergic to the fruit that grows near it. Allergies to latex can also cause allergic reactions to fruit, such as kiwi.
While apple, peach, and kiwi fruit cause the majority of allergic reactions, there are many other fruits that you should be aware of if you have allergies to pollen, latex, or citrus.
Common Fruits That Cause Allergic Reactions
| Apples | Cherries | Kiwis |
| Peaches | Plums | Oranges |
| Bananas | Strawberries | Blueberries |
| Raspberries | Melons | Tomatoes |
Fruit Allergy Symptoms
- Itchy mouth
- Scratchy throat
- Swelling in and around the mouth and throat
- Hives
- Anaphylaxis
If you experience these symptoms after eating certain fruit, contact an allergist to identify what the causes are.
Diagnosing A Fruit Allergy
If you believe you have a fruit allergy, book an appointment with a board certified allergist for an allergy test. A skin prick test can identify over 40 allergens. Your doctor will test your skin to see if it reacts to pollen and latex, the common causes of a fruit allergy.
If results are negative, you may need to do an oral food challenge during your office visit. Since many allergy tests can’t detect the protein in fruit, you need to eat a small amount of fruit to see which ones evoke an allergic reaction.
Fruit Allergy Treatment
The best treatment for a fruit allergy is avoidance. If you can’t eat several fruits because of allergies, ask your doctor about supplementing your diet with vitamins.
For mild allergies to fruit, over-the-counter antihistamines can help treat your symptoms. Since food allergies are often severe, an epinephrine auto injector needs to be prescribed. Your allergist will demonstrate how to inject it in the event of a severe allergic reaction.
Summary
For questions or concerns about fruit allergies, call NY Allergy & Sinus Centers. We provide many treatment options for an array of allergies in seven locations throughout Manhattan and Queens. To book an appointment with one of our highly experienced allergists, call (212) 686-4448 today!