About 4 percent of people suffer from a common problem, which is a food allergy. Some common foods that might cause allergy primarily include protein-rich foods like nuts, fish, soy, milk, and wheat, but grapes can also cause food allergy in a few people. People suffering from allergies to grapes also face the risk of cross-reactivity with wine, juices, and raisins.
If a person is allergic to grapes, the chemicals present in the fruit will lead to violent reactions as the body identifies these chemicals as harmful allergens. The body produces a specific antibody called IgE to fight these chemicals, and a gush of histamine inside the body will lead to the appearance of allergic symptoms. Read on to know more about grapes allergy symptoms and various ways how to treat them.
Why Grape Allergy Occurs
Grapes are directly involved in causing allergic symptoms, but these fruits are heavily sprayed with pesticides to protect the crop from damage. These chemicals generally contain compounds of sulfur which are very harmful to man.
Yeast is another common allergen that is found to be clinging to the fruit surface, and it gets ingested along with the chemicals. So, grapes allergy can be caused due to ingestion of molds, yeast, or sulfites. It is very important to get tested for the allergy caused by any of these allergens.
Grape Allergy Symptoms
Depending upon the condition of an individual’s immune system, the signs and their severity vary. If a person is allergic to grapes, he can feel the following symptoms:
- Skin symptoms: These might include eczema, inflammation and redness. A rash or hives may appear too on the skin after consuming grapes or grape products.
- Oral allergy: Symptoms in the mouth can include itching in the oral cavity, mouth, and gum’s strong tingling sensation on the skin surface in the mouth. Swelling can signify a grape allergy, particularly of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Nasal cavity: Runny nose, irritation and congestion leading to rhinitis
- Red Eyes: Teary red eyes
- Sleep Problems: Chronic trouble in sleeping which is less severe
- Other Symptoms: Some severe symptoms also include hallucination, increased heartbeat, chest tightness, seizures, severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth and throat, stomach cramps, etc
- Asthma: If you experience difficulty breathing or shortness of breath after consuming grapes or grape products, it may be a sign of an allergy. Breathlessness and wheezing can lead to severe symptoms.
- Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic state, can be threatening to life, and it should be given immediate attention, and a suffering person should be taken to hospital immediately
- Nausea and vomiting: Some people may experience nausea and vomiting after consuming grapes or grape products if they are allergic to them.
These symptoms can also occur with people affected with this allergy.”
- Hives or itchy rashes
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Dizziness
Treatment of Grape Allergy
The following are a few ways to treat grape allergy:
- To treat skin problems like inflammation and rashes, medicated skin lotions can help up to a great extent
- For respiratory issues, medicines prescribed for asthma would be recommended by a doctor
- To control the infection in eyes, eye drops would help an affected person
- To control the nasal congestion and runny nose, the doctor would prescribe some antihistamine drugs that are available over the counter
- Some severe reactions might need epinephrine injections that can also be self-administered
The most important and effective way to prevent the occurrence of grape allergy again is to prevent grapes and other related products in the future. Eating an organic variety of fruits that are completely free from pesticides, insecticides, and other harmful chemicals is also essential.
Ways to Diagnose Grape Allergy
To properly diagnose a grape allergy, the following tests are done :
- Blood test: It is done to detect the presence of IgE antibodies in the body. Its presence determines the presence of allergen
- Skin prick test: The doctor will inject a minute amount of allergen into the skin and will observe the reactions caused by the body
Various other food allergies should also be checked in this allergy as grapes are heavily infested with contaminants.
It is important to note that if a person is allergic to grapes, there are chances that he can be allergic to wines as well, as they are fermented with yeast, and the content in it is more than found in fruit. So, if a person has yeast allergy, he can also be allergic to wine. If you still prefer to take wine, you should choose organic wine as it reduces chemical intake.
FAQs
1. Can a grape allergy cause reactions to other fruits?
Yes, people with grape allergies can sometimes react to other fruits, especially berries, due to similar proteins. Cross-reactivity might also occur with fruits like kiwi or peach.
2. What should I do if I accidentally eat grapes and I have a grape allergy?
If you accidentally consume grapes, take an antihistamine if symptoms are mild. For severe reactions, like difficulty breathing, seek emergency care immediately. Always carry an epinephrine auto-injector if you have a known severe allergy.
3. Are grape allergies common in children?
Grape allergies are relatively rare but can affect children. Kids might outgrow some allergies, but grape allergies often persist. If your child shows symptoms, consult an allergist for testing and guidance.
