What You Need To Know About Strawberry Allergies

Strawberries are a healthy and delicious fruit option to add to your diet. Unfortunately, they also cause major allergic reactions in many people. An allergic reaction occurs when the body's immune system thinks the strawberry is a foreign substance. This results in the immune system going into overdrive to protect the body, which can cause several allergic reactions. Here is what you need to know about strawberry allergies:

What Are the Symptoms of a Strawberry Allergy?

Strawberry allergy symptoms range from mild to extremely severe. Each person will have different reactions. In general, strawberry allergies can cause up to moderate reactions, but the allergy can be life-threatening for some.

Strawberry allergies can cause itching in the mouth, throat irritation, congestion, tightness in the chest and throat, wheezing, coughing, dizziness, vomiting, and hives. Strawberry allergies can occur orally or can cause anaphylaxis. Some allergy symptoms can last for several days while others can disappear within hours. The reaction all depends on the severity of the allergy.

How Do You Know if You Are Allergic to Strawberries?

If you notice you have some type of reaction to eating strawberries, it is likely that you have some level of allergy. You can test the theory by eliminating them from your diet for a period of time, then reintroducing them. If you have a reaction, you can likely discern that you are allergic. If you want a definitive answer, you can get an allergy test from an allergist or from your doctor. Depending on your practitioner's practice and your preference, there are different ways to test for a strawberry allergy. Typically, the practitioner will place a small amount of the allergen just beneath the skin. If the area begins to react, you will be diagnosed with a strawberry allergy. Your practitioner may also use blood testing to determine if you have a strawberry allergy. Discuss your testing options with your allergist or doctor prior to getting your allergy test so you know what to expect.

A strawberry allergy can be mild and not really interfere with your life. You simply would need to avoid eating strawberries. However, others with a more severe reaction will have to be especially careful to not be in any form of contact with strawberries to avoid a potentially life-threatening situation. Strawberry allergies can be life-changing, so make sure you get properly tested to make sure you get the proper diagnosis as well as any treatment options you may need to maintain your quality of life.

For more information, contact allergy testing services near you.