Fig Allergy Symptoms

Fig Allergy Symptoms

fig allergy

Adverse reaction between immune system and proteins in fig results in fig allergy symptoms. Due to cross reactivity, people with pollen allergy can be sensitive to elements in this fruit. However, you can ingest after microwaving the food.

This sweet aromatic fruit is known to have many health benefits, which include strengthening bones, reducing weight, relieving constipation, sore throat and to remove kidney stones.

This pear shaped fruit can be consumed raw, peeled or dried form. Due its enticing taste and nutritional benefits, jams and baked products like pies, puddings, bread and cakes are incorporated with this fruit.

Fig Allergy Symptoms

In some cases allergic reaction elicit when you repeatedly consume or expose your body to irritants. If you aren’t sensitive to proteins residing in fig fruit, don’t assume that can freely enjoy raw fig. People who experienced adverse reaction towards pollen or seasonal allergy can be sensitive to proteins in fig.

Food allergy stimulates when you ingest or topically use it on skin. Immune system treats these harmless proteins as a threat and produces IgE antibodies to combat them. Next time when you ingest, smell or touch the allergen, antibodies detects proteins and signals the immune system, which then releases histamines.

Histamines react with substances in food; in a process to thwart them out it results in various allergic symptoms. These allergic symptoms are almost identical for all food allergies. To determine the specific allergen, you must consult allergist/doctor for diagnosis.

Symptoms range from mild to severe in rare cases. Below given are few common signs of fig allergy.

  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Nasal congestion
  • Headache
  • Swelling of hands, feet or face
  • Itching
  • Skin rashes
  • Hives
  • Stomach cramps
  • Abdominal pain
  • Asthma and anaphylaxis

Leaf and root sap of this fruit can be more allergic than the fruit itself. Experts say that this is due to the presence of psoralen and bergapten, which can produce phototoxic dermatitis.

Though heat and other process destroy allergens, some of them will be allergic to all forms of fig. People handling latex of unripe fig are prone to this allergy.

If you ignore these above mentioned signs of allergy and continue to consume the fruit, reaction may lead to severe conditions.

Cross Allergies

Foods that have identical elements or proteins like fig may trigger reaction, which include banyan, breadfruit, Osage-orange and mulberry. Apart from this, grass, weeping figs and birch pollen share same antigens, which may not well with your immune system.

A study states that 83 percent of patients who are allergic to Ficus benjamina are sensitive to fresh fig, while 40 percent of them are allergic to dried fig. So, this says that there is cross reactivity reaction.

Diagnosis

Just by browsing the web you can’t determine the specific allergen. For that you must reach doctor or allergist, who will conduct needed test to determine the allergen.

When the allergen is confirmed, he/she will prescribe medication and advice to avoid contact with it. Anti-histamines can be able to reduce the reaction and relieve you from allergy. However, for serious conditions a doctor prescribed injection can help you.

Discuss with your doctor about the immediate medical steps to be taken in life-threatening conditions. Let your family and friends knew about it.

Preventing Fig Allergy

Avoiding the food allergen is the main aspect of treating the allergy. Stay away from using it in any form, either raw, dried or food products which include it as an ingredient.

Many baked products include fig for its aromatic taste. If you’re sensitive to proteins in fig, you’re advised to avoid consuming it. In rare cases, even the smell of food can elicit allergic reaction.

Consult allergist when you see fig allergy symptoms.

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