When people suffer from food allergies, it tends to come from what is commonly referred to as the “Big Eight.” These common food allergies include the following:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
- Soybeans
- Tree nuts
- Wheat
However, there are other foods out there that could cause an allergic reaction that are less common and can be difficult to detect. Continue reading to find out about the most uncommon food allergies that you could be suffering from without realizing it.
Common Food Allergy Symptoms
Food allergies can range in terms of severity, but there are several common symptoms that you should pay attention to. Before we get into some unique food allergies, you should be aware of the signs that you may have them by knowing the symptoms that are commonly associated with these allergies. The following symptoms could indicate that you may have a food allergy:
- Swelling in the lips or face
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Wheezing
- Itchy skin
- Skin rash
- Runny nose
- Streaming eyes
- Itchy throat
Apples
There are several fruits that you could be allergic; among these potential fruits are apples. If you have an apple allergy, you will start to have discomfort around 30 minutes after eating the fruit. The worst that can come from an apple allergic reaction is throat swelling, which can make breathing difficult.
Avocados
In recent years, there has become an increased love for avocados, but there’s a chance that this superfood could be responsible for your allergy symptoms. As it turns out, avocado allergies are like latex allergies due to the proteins found inside of them, which can cause a reaction. So, if you’re allergic to avocados, you could also experience allergies to other foods like:
- Bananas
- Chestnuts
- Kiwis
- Papaya
- Potatoes
Bananas
Like with apples and avocados, symptoms of a banana allergy will usually occur in the mouth area. Certain symptoms that you should be aware of with a banana allergy include itchiness around the throat or mouth, issues breathing, swelling, and hives.
Citrus Fruits
Grapefruits, limes, and other acidic fruits can also cause itchiness in the throat or mouth and hives in addition to pale skin, wheezing, and low blood pressure. However, a more serious reaction from a citrus food allergy includes anaphylactic shock. If you are allergic to one citrus fruit, there’s a good chance you are allergic to others as well.
Corn
Corn comes in various forms beyond having the food cooked because it is also found in syrup and flour, which is why this allergy can be difficult to detect. Corn can be the cause of a serious allergic reaction and could be related to other reactions to grain, seeds, and pollen due to the nature of the food.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are highly processed and full of several additives such as nitrite. Because of this, an allergic reaction like headaches and hives can be caused by hot dogs. In severe cases, hives can occur in the throat can cause breathing problems; in this instance, medical attention will be required.
Mangoes
A mango food allergy is very similar to an avocado allergy. Mangoes can also cause a cross-reaction with those who suffer from apple, pear, and celery allergies. People who have mango allergies are also bound to have reactions to poison ivy and oak as well because of the urushiol present in all of these things.
Marshmallows
Another uncommon food allergy that you could suffer from is a marshmallow allergy. The main reason why a marshmallow allergy can occur is because of the gelatin that is inside of it. Because gelatin is the main issue, you should also be wary of other foods with the protein in it, such as gummy and chewy candies along with frosted cereals.
Meats
It’s very rare to be allergic to red meats like beef, pork, and lamb, and this allergy can be tough to identify. A meat allergy can be due to a sugar in meat known as alpha-galactose or the Lone Star tick bite. If you do have a meat allergy, you can experience diarrhea, itching, vomiting, and nausea and there’s a chance you will be allergic to several different types of meat if you do have it. Like a citrus fruit allergy, you also run the risk of suffering an anaphylactic shock if the allergic reaction is severe.
Sesame Seeds
A sesame seed allergy is extremely rare. The trouble with identifying a sesame seed allergy is that these seeds are also used in various extracts and oils. If you feel that you have a sesame seed allergy, then you should be aware of the ingredients in extracts and oils to ensure that you don’t suffer an allergic reaction.
Why Do Food Allergies Occur?
There are several reasons why some of these allergic reactions might occur in our bodies due to the consumption of certain foods. Many people point to the eating habits of western countries, genetically modified foods, low vitamin D levels, not getting enough antioxidants, and less exposure to germs as being the reasons why people get food allergies in the first place.
Get Tested
Since many of these allergies can be hard to detect, the best thing you can do to truly find out if you have a reaction is to see an allergist. An allergist can perform a test, so you’ll get the answers you are looking for if you have a history of reactions to certain foods that might be considered rare. If you are looking for allergy testing in Houston, consider one of Allergy and ENT Associates’ locations in the area.
Treatment
There is one main treatment method that you could try for rare food allergies and that is adopting an elimination diet. If you notice that you experience some of the symptoms from a certain type of food, you remove that food from your diet to see how your body feels without it. An elimination diet can also mean getting rid of the food completely by not touching it, smelling it, and being very mindful of the ingredients in all products to see if there is any change. As far as medication is concerned, antihistamines or epinephrine may be used based on a doctor’s recommendations.
Food allergies can be very serious if left untreated; if you are dealing with one that is a bit uncommon, seeking medical attention should always be your first option.
