Avocado Allergy: Symptoms & Treatment

Posted in Health and tagged with allergy, symptoms, treatment on 01/19/2012 10:33 pm by admin

Avocados, one of the healthiest foods of the world, are full of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats (especially mono saturated fats) and antioxidants which prevent many disorders and diseases. It is incorporated in many healthy diets due to its delicious taste and rich nutrient values. It is used as a substitute for meat in a vegetarian food for making salads and sandwiches by many people. Not only food but avocado is also used in many cosmetics. Being a very valuable fruit, it could also prove to be harmful in some cases.

For some people, the avocados can act as an allergen. They contain certain proteins that are responsible for triggering an allergic reaction in the immune system. While trying to neutralize the protein, histamines and antibodies are released into the blood stream. The presence of these histamines and immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the bloodstream confirms the avocado allergy. Diagnosis of avocado allergies can also be checked by performing a suitable skin prick test in a laboratory. Self-diagnosis can also be done if a person has the same reaction after eating avocado every time. Different people may have different symptoms of the allergy. Some of the common symptoms are explained here…

Itching:

In any type of allergy, itching is one of the most common symptoms. In case of allergic reactions due to avocados, immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and histamines produced in the body enter the bloodstream and generate itching allergy symptoms. Sensations of itching or tingling in the mouth, face, lips or throat may indicate allergy. The patient may notice that these oral symptoms may begin within an hour. In most cases, itching is accompanied by eczema.

Swelling:

As the inflammatory response to histamine kicks in, swelling may also arise after itching. The inflammation may progress from the mouth, tongue, lips, face and to the eyelids. Sometimes, swelling can result in the eyes due to severe allergic reactions.

Stomach Pains:

First the patient may become nauseous due to the gastrointestinal symptoms. When the fruit enters the stomach, patients may feel cramping and pain in the stomach. Sudden spells of vomiting signifies the attempt of the body to eject the stuff that was the root to the allergic reactions.

Digestive Upset:

The avocado allergy can also lead to a digestive upset. After the stomach, the intestine gets affected by avocado allergy. The cramping and pain may be followed by diarrhea. It may also cause constipation. It might be noted that the beginning of these symptoms will occur at the rate of digestion.

Eczema:

While travelling through the bloodstream, avocado allergens reach to the skin and create allergy symptoms there. Due to eczema, the patients may develop a red, itchy and scaly rash anywhere on the body. These eczema symptoms may also include patches of red welts or hives that may be painful and warm to touch.

Anaphylaxis:

In some rare cases of avocado allergies, a more sudden set of symptoms affect the whole body. A dangerous change in blood pressure and heart rate is caused due to anaphylaxis. The inflammation of the airways provoked by histamine levels simultaneously blocks breathing and the patient gets thrown into a medical emergency state.

Other symptoms: This is not all; the avocado allergy may also lead to many other problems. These are listed below:

Cough: Throat irritation may result in excessive coughing. Loss of voice or hoarseness may also be noted in severe cases.
Sneezing: In some cases, the patient may experience excessive sneezing and/or nasal blockage.
Asthma: Sometimes, the symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of asthma. Additionally, those suffering from asthma are more expected to suffer from an avocado allergy.
Headache: The patient may also suffer from lightheadedness, sinus pain, disturbed sleep and mild to severe headache after consuming avocado.
Runny Nose: Consumption of avocado may also lead to a constant watery discharge from the nose.
Watery Eyes: The patient may experience itching in the eyes and the eyes may also turn red. The swollen eyelids and sore eyes may cause discomfort.

‘Prevention is better than cure’ – this phrase is known to almost everyone. So for a person allergic to avocado, eliminating the fruit from the diet completely is the best treatment. Salads, soups, salsas and breads are common foods consisting of avocado. Also before using a cosmetic, a person must check if the cosmetic includes the allergen. Eye drops, nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants and leukotriene inhibitors are commonly used medicines to fight an allergy to avocados. Anti histamines are usually used to relieve the symptoms. Decongestants and nasal sprays are used to give relief from nasal blockage. People allergic to avocados must also avoid guacamole. Some home remedies for avocado allergy are given here.

Applying the gel of aloevera is a simple remedy to relieve skin conditions caused by avocado allergy.
Drinking a cup of freshly prepared pomegranate juice, with a cup of sugar cane juice may relieve the gastric discomfort such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
For nasal congestion, watering of eyes, and cough; prepare tomato soup, add one tsp of chopped ginger, one teaspoon of lemon juice and salt to taste. Drink it twice in a day. It is an effective home remedy for mild respiratory allergy complaints caused due to avocado allergy.
Skin symptoms such as hives, skin rash, itching are felt better after drinking green tea or chamomile tea. They both are popular home remedies for treating avocado skin allergies, as they have antihistamine properties.

These home remedies may be really helpful for the patients with avocado allergy symptoms. But it is suggested to consult a doctor before starting these home treatments.