Am I Allergic to Avocados? | Find Out the Symptoms Between Intolerance vs. Allergy
There are many triggers that can cause negative reactions within the human immune system. One such food is avocado. Unfortunately, diagnosing an avocado sensitivity can be tricky.
One of the reasons why it is hard to identify avocado allergies is because it often presents as a cross-over between different allergies. For example, oftentimes, latex allergies and avocado allergies can appear similar because of common allergenic proteins within each substance.
So What Exactly is An Avocado Allergy?
An avocado allergy is defined when the body’s immune system believes that the proteins in avocados are dangerous. Conventionally, a blood test is used to determine if avocado produces an increase in IgE, an immunoglobulin within the blood. If the IgE levels increase significantly, you are diagnosed with an allergy. If they don’t increase significantly, you are told you do not have an allergy. However, you can still have an intolerance to avocados and not have an allergy. Sound confusing?
The Difference Between a Food Intolerance and a Food Allergy
A true food allergy affects the immune system. In other words, even small amounts of avocado will trigger a range of symptoms which can be severe or life-threatening. In contrast, a food intolerance often affects only the digestive system or the skin and causes less serious symptoms.
Symptoms of Avocado Allergy Symptoms
The most common symptoms of any oral allergic reactions are:
- Swelling surrounding the mouth and throat area.
- Itchy mouth
- Scratchy throat
Avocado is a fruit containing similar proteins to latex; therefore, symptoms specific to avocado allergies are like symptoms of latex allergies.:
- Hives
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Sneezing
- Swelling of the lips
- Mouth, pallet, or throat itching or irritation
- Itchy Eyes
- Anaphylactic response
Immediate Reaction vs Delayed Reaction
Avocado allergy symptoms may be triggered immediately or may be delayed. Immediate reactions will show up within minutes of consumption. Whereas delayed reactions can take as long as two days to show up. If you have any of these symptoms – it is important that you seek medical attention.
Allergic Cross-Reactions with Avocados
A cross-reaction occurs when someone avoids a food they know they are allergic to, but eats a food within the same family as their allergic food and it triggers an allergic reaction. Foods of the same family have similar proteins.
- Oral Allergy Syndrome – the most common cause of cross-reactivity is oral allergy syndrome. For example, if a person is allergic to birch tree pollen, they may find that avocados elicit the same symptoms (and vice versa)
- Histamine Reactions – Avocados contain high levels of histamine. Although histamine is involved in an array of biological functions, too much histamine can trigger inflammation. Foods with high histamine levels are more likely to cause negative reactions in people with allergies.
- Latex-Fruit Syndrome – This is the most common cause of avocado related allergic reactions. Avocado naturally contains latex proteins that can cause allergic reactions.
- Anaphylaxis – Although it is rare, anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic response that can occur. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and must be treated immediately.
Can Avocado Allergies Develop Over Time?
Yes, primarily due to cross-reactivity with other foods and various pollens.
How to Treat An Avocado Allergy?
If you think you have an avocado allergy, we suggest consulting a medical professional specializing in Advanced Allergy Therapeutics, a natural approach to treating allergies.
Advanced Allergy Therapeutics is non-invasive. There are no shots, no drugs, no supplements, and no avoidance. It is safe, effective, and gentle enough for infants and seniors.
If you are interested in taking a holistic approach to your allergic reactions, schedule a consultation with us at St. Louis Allergy Relief or find more holistic strategies on our website. Here at SLAR, our goal is to provide all patients with safe treatment options that are non-invasive or intrusive.
For more information, check out our blog and our website! Use AAT to improve your wellness for the long-run.
Works Cited:
https://www.yorktest.com/us/blog/avocado-allergy/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/avocado-allergy