By cross-allergy we mean a reaction to several substances apparently independent of each other but which are actually related, as they contain similar protein molecules.
For example, one of the most common cross-allergies is birch, apple and hazelnut pollen; this means that those who are allergic to birch pollen may experience an allergic reaction even when eating an apple or hazelnut.
Examples of cross allergies
Those who are allergic to pollens can experience cross-reactions by eating certain foods. For example:
- The pollen of birch crocia, as well as apple and hazelnut, also with strawberry, pear, plum, raspberry, banana, kiwi, apricot, peach, cherry, medlar, almond, walnut, peanut, potato, fennel, celery.
- The pollen of graminaceae with wheat, peanut, almond, melon, watermelon, plum, apricot, peach, kiwi, cherry, lemon, orange, tomato, apple, potato.
- The pollen of parietaria crocia with pistachio, melon, pea, mulberry, basil.
- Crocia honey with all types of pollen.
Other examples of cross-allergies may concern
- Who is allergic to dust mites: it can manifest a cross reaction by eating shellfish, land and sea snails or, more rarely, mussels (mussels, clams, oysters ...).
- Who is allergic to latex: it can manifest a cross reaction to banana, kiwi and avocado.
- Who is allergic to cow's milk: can show a cross-reaction to beef.
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How does a cross reaction occur?
To understand how to recognize a cross reaction, let's take a concrete example. A person allergic to birch pollen, during the flowering period, eating a strawberry feels an itching or a burning in the lips and mouth or a swelling of the face: it could be a cross allergic reaction.
In fact, this kind of cross-reaction usually occurs with an oral allergic syndrome (SAO), that is with irritation phenomena localized between the mouth and the oral cavity.
A cross-reaction can also occur with urticaria, angioedema, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal disorders and other systemic disorders, even serious ones; however, these phenomena are rarer.
Cross-allergies, practical advice
If eating a certain food you feel an itch or another type of f in the mouth or throat it is advisable not to swallow and, of course, immediately stop consumption.
It is advisable to peel the foods that may be responsible for a cross-allergy; many proteins cause these phenomena are found, in fact, in the peel .
Some proteins that cause cross-allergies are thermolabile and therefore it can happen that the food, if eaten cooked, does not cause any kind of problem.
In some cases, it may be advisable to avoid the consumption of certain foods during the pollination period . These situations, however, must be evaluated by a doctor; you should never completely exclude a food from your diet without having consulted your trusted allergist .
It is not correct to extend the elimination to other possible allergens in the absence of an effective clinical finding because cross-allergies present a large individual component . In fact, for example, not all people allergic to pollen or dust mites exhibit a cross-food allergy and not all foods that pollute with a given pollen give allergy to the individual.
In the event that a cross reaction is suspected, immediately contact an allergist, who will perform the necessary tests and, if necessary, prescribe a therapy or emergency therapy kit appropriate to the individual case.
