Allergy to citrus: symptoms and signs (photo), treatment

Citrus fruits are highly allergenic foods. Oranges, tangerines, grapefruit - all of them can cause allergies. However, the most common allergy to lemon is. In order to prevent the onset or worsening of the condition, it is necessary to know the methods of treatment and prevention of allergies.

Causes of an allergic reaction to citrus fruits

Causes of allergies:

• Citrus fruits grow in equatorial countries. Often the organisms of some people from other areas react to them pathologically.
• The means with which fruits are treated from pests to extend the shelf life, etc., are harmful to humans and are perceived by the body as foreign.
• Fruits contain a large amount of water and sugar, if not stored properly, fungal mold develops on it, it can also be an allergen. If the fruit itself is not infected with mold, fungal particles from other infected citrus fruits can get on it when stored in one place.

Citrus allergies can also be caused by:

• tendency to allergic diseases or other immune pathologies;
• congenital, acquired immune problems;
• disorders of the urinary system;
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

The occurrence of allergies is also influenced by the amount of fruit consumed.

Allergy symptoms

Symptoms appear within 10-20 minutes and persist for up to 1 hour.

Skin manifestations

The following symptoms appear:

• itching;
• hives (cm. Photo);
• dermatitis;
• eczema;
• acne similar to mosquito bites;
• burning sensation in the area of ​​red spots;
• irritation.

Most often, symptoms appear on the face, then spread throughout the entire skin of the body.

Digestive system symptoms

On the part of the digestive system, the following signs appear:

• stomach cramps;
• diarrhea;
• nausea;
• flatulence;
• intestinal pain;
• heartburn;
• vomit;
• bloating;
• constipation.

Respiratory manifestations

Respiratory system problems are the most dangerous manifestations for humans. The following symptoms indicate them:

• nasal congestion;
• bronchial spasms;
• angioedema (cm. Photo);
• sore throat;
• suffocation;
• cough;
• dyspnea.

When these signs appear, you must consult a doctor to avoid fatal consequences.

Features of a child's citrus allergy

Children are prone to allergies are stronger than adults, due to the weak work of the immune system. The symptoms are the same but have different consequences.

Children are susceptible to this type of allergy in the following cases:

• excessive consumption of large amounts of lemons or other citrus fruits;
• the disease was inherited;
• improper functioning of the child's immune system.

In children, lesions of the skin and respiratory systems prevail over other symptoms of allergy. The most dangerous thing is eating oranges, tangerines and kiwi, due to the strong saturation of active enzymes.

How to distinguish allergy from pseudo-allergy?

Pseudo-allergy is an increased reaction to certain substances that enter the human body from the outside, with signs inherent in a true allergy. There are no immunological reactions, but the inflammatory process occurs due to a failure in the exchange of histamine, abnormal activation of complement, etc. mechanisms. Pseudoallergy develops as a result of excessive use of the substance, which causes intolerance.

Unlike true allergies, it does not contain an antigen due to which the production of immunoglobulins occurs. It begins immediately after the appearance of inflammatory mediators in the cells. Pseudo-allergies are more common than true.

The two types of allergies are similar in symptoms, but there are characteristic differences:

• with pseudo-allergies, a larger amount of citrus consumed will lead to a deterioration in the human condition, while with a true one, there is no difference in the dose of the allergen;
• No anaphylactic shock or angioedema, with a true allergy, such symptoms are constantly encountered;
• a general reaction to similar substances with pseudo-allergy is not observed, but with a true one, it progresses after the introduction of similar allergens;
• the true one is inherent in all family members, and only one person can be sick with pseudo-allergies;
• elimination of the allergen is inherent only in true allergies;
• atopic reactions are more common with true than with pseudo-allergies.

Diagnostic signs

The following test signs help identify an allergic reaction:

• a skin test for specific allergens is positive;
• increased total IgE in blood serum with true allergy, with pseudo-allergy - normal;
• specific IgE is present;
• with a true allergy, the Pryusnitz-Küstner reaction is positive, with psvedoallergy - negative.

Treatment methods

When treating, the first step is to exclude citruses and foods containing citric acid and juice from the diet.

Drug treatment

To eliminate the symptoms of allergy to lemons and other citrus fruits, the doctor prescribes 1st generation antihistamines: Fenkarol, Diphenhydramine, Tavegil, Diazolin, Suprastin, 2 generations: Klarotadin, Kestin, Lorotadin, Ceterizin, Claridol, Zyrtec, Claritin, Lomilan, Rupafin and 3 generations: Feksadin, Erius, Telfast, Desal. The differences between these drugs are in side effects, their quantity and danger, the presence of a sedative. With each successive generation, the drug becomes safer.

Local symptomatic therapy is used to treat symptoms:

1. For itching, hives, dermatitis, etc. skin diseases are prescribed hormone-based ointments. They are a last resort treatment as they have side effects. They are used strictly according to the doctor's prescription.
2. With stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, etc. appoint enterosorbents based on activated carbon. The drugs reduce the number of toxins that cause problems in the digestive system.
3. With nasal congestion, coughing, sore throat, etc. use antihistamines, vasoconstrictor, hormonal sprays and drops.
4. Sorbents used to remove the allergen from the human body. It adsorbs antigen and toxic metabolic residues, complicates their absorption, reduces the impact of allergic reactions from the outside, acting as a detoxifying agent.

Folk remedies for therapy

Traditional methods serve as a harmless treatment for citrus allergies without the help of doctors.

Recipes to fight the disease:

1. Dilute the following herbs with 250 ml of water: centaury, chamomile, dandelion root, corn silk, St. John's wort. Leave to knock. Drink ready tincture 3 r. half a glass a day before meals. There is a chance of curing citrus allergies if you take the medication regularly.
2. Tincture of string, oak root and chamomile will ease skin diseases.
3. Drink a decoction of blackheads on an empty stomach 3 times a day.

Diet features

When treating citrus allergies, you must follow a diet that excludes all citrus fruits from the diet. You should also avoid other foods that are allergic to: chocolate, eggs, milk, nuts, etc.

In the diet, it is necessary to distribute foods according to the classification from the most allergenic food to the least. You also need to follow the following rules:

• fractional meals;
• remove products containing allergens;
• to drink a lot of water;
• read the composition of the products;
• recording reactions after eating food;
• reduce the use of spicy and sweet;
• if new foods are present in the diet, try them in the morning, monitoring the reaction of the body.

Possible cross reactions.

Cross-reaction occurs because the antigens of the products are similar to each other. An allergic reaction may occur to:

• pollen of plants;
• other fruits and vegetables;
• less often for products of animal origin;
• fish and seafood;
• peanuts, soy;
• egg white.

Recommendations for the use of citrus fruits

In case of detection of an allergy to lemon, it is necessary to reduce its consumption to a minimum. Reduce your intake of grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, etc. citrus fruits. Recommendations for use:

• fruit should be free from dents, ripe and firm;
• spoiled fruits should not be consumed;
• wash fruit thoroughly before eating.

In the case of an advanced stage of allergies, exclude all fruits from the diet.