Tomato and tomato based products are most highly consumed food in the western part of the world. Despite the fact being widely used, you may suffer from tomato allergy symptoms. Reactions to tomatoes are not very common therefore tomato allergies are very rare.
Tomato contains high degree of natural chemical known as salicylate, this chemical is not tolerable by some people as a result it may cause allergy.
The allergy caused by tomatoes is commonly known as contact allergy. This means that when a person comes in contact with tomato or consumes tomato, histamines are released into exposed areas such as the skin, nose, respiratory and digestive tracts. In turn, this causes an allergic reaction called tomato allergy.
Tomato belongs to the nightshade group of plants; some people cannot tolerate anything from nightshade group of plants, while some people may be allergic to one or two of nightshade plants.
The nightshade plants include the following
- Tomato
- Potato
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Tomatillos
- Goji berries
- Chilli peppers
- Aubergines
Tomato Allergy Symptoms
The symptoms of tomato allergy usually occur immediately after consuming tomatoes. These symptoms may vary in severity depending from person to person.
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Tingling lips
- Cramps
- Vomiting
- Itchy arms
- Head ache
- Increase in tears, sweat and saliva
- Redness of skin
- Itchiness of skin
- Swollen face
- Tightening of chest
- Difficulty in breathing
- Rhinitis
- Urticaria (hives)
- Gastrointestinal problems
Also read: Symptoms of Chicken allergy
Prevention of Tomato Allergy
Whenever you consume allergen your immune system will release antibodies to counteract the harmful ingredient or allergen. The next time you eat that food, your immune system releases histamine along with other chemicals into the bloodstream, causing a wide arrange of symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, redness of skin, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, breathing difficulties etc.
The following prevention can be taken in order to avoid tomato allergy
- Consult a doctor: You can ask your doctor for complete skin and blood examinations as well as get the information on allergies and their treatments.
- Avoid eating fresh tomatoes: Do not eat fresh tomatoes in any form like in salad, natural dried tomato. Avoid eating cooked tomato: some of you may be allergic to fresh tomatoes as well as cooked tomatoes. Avoid eating tomato curries, canned tomatoes and tomato sauce.
- Check the label to food product before buying: Make sure that the food items you purchase are tomato free. Read the ingredients list thoroughly before buying it.
Tomato Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment
Always consult a doctor in order to get confirmed about the tomato allergy. A tomato allergy can be confirmed with either a skin prick test or a blood test that detects the antibodies. Avoidance of tomatoes is the best option, but tomato allergies can usually be treated successfully with antihistamines. Topical steroidal ointment is helpful to treat redness and rashes of skin, itchiness of skin.