Mushrooms are tasty and delicious. Aren’t they? Not only for taste, but they are also very popular for their nutritional benefits too! But, at times, consumption of mushrooms is also associated with allergic reactions in some persons, known as “mushroom allergy”.
A mushroom allergy is an allergic response to mushrooms. People who are allergic to mushrooms can develop allergies after consuming mushrooms or even after inhaling spores of the mushrooms. In this write-up, we try to understand mushroom allergy,mushroom allergy symptoms, causes, its treatment, and more.
What is a mushroom allergy?
Allergy from either after eating mushrooms or somehow inhaling their spores is known as “mushroom allergy”. Mushroom allergy is usually classified into three categories including allergic responses, intolerance to mushroom, and mushroom poisoning.
- An allergic response usually causes immediate, serious symptoms.
- Mushroom intolerance is sometimes responsible for the slight illness.
- Mushroom poisoning due to the intake of poisonous mushrooms causes severe and even fatal health issues.
What are the causes of mushroom allergy?
Allergy from mushroom occurs when your body mistakenly overreacts to the mushroom proteins and considers it as a foreign, harmful substance. Asa result, your body starts releasing IgE antibodies to fight the proteins. Further, your body starts releasing histamines, which cause allergies.
Symptoms of mushroom allergy:
Depending on the extent and severity, mushroom allergy symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sneezing
- Rashes or hives around different body parts
- Watery eyes
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Swelling of mouth, lips and/or throat
- Cramping or bloating of stomach
In severe cases, the patient may suffer from symptoms like:
- A sudden drop in blood pressure
- Fainting
- Breathlessness
Are intestines affected by mushrooms?
When an allergic reaction is caused by mushrooms, the lining of the intestines can become inflamed and swell from increased levels of histamine. A mushroom allergy occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to the proteins present in the mushroom, the body then creates antibodies and releases a chemical called histamine to protect from infection and disease.
When histamine is created in excess, it causes blood vessels to puff out; increasing blood flow, increases mucus production and can cause the lungs to confine. When histamine is released in the lining of the intestines, inflammation occurs, which causes common digestive symptoms of a mushroom allergy. A mushroom allergy is a serious medical condition that needs to be evaluated by your doctor.
Diagnosis
If any of the above symptoms are visible among you consult a doctor. The mushroom allergy can be diagnosed using a skin prick test. This involves placing a small amount of mushroom protein on the back of the forearm and pricking the skin. The result will be positive if raises and reddish spot appears indicating a mushroom allergy.
The other method to find out a mushroom allergy is through a blood test. Blood samples will be sent to laboratory and tests will be conducted to check the presence of IgE antibodies.
Treatment of mushroom allergy:
The treatment of mushroom allergy is underlined by the administration of antihistamines. Antihistamines are commonly used for managing various types of allergies. Depending on the condition, your doctor can administer antihistamines orally or through a nasal spray.
If the symptoms are serious, patients must be taken for a medical emergency, as immediate attention is necessary. In some cases of an anaphylactic reaction, a shot of epinephrine is very effective and is usually administered immediately. The bottom line is, serious mushroom allergy symptoms should not be taken lightly, and a qualified medical practitioner must be contacted immediately.
Prevention from mushroom allergies:
If you are once diagnosed with a mushroom allergy, you must be active enough to prevent it in the future. Yes, mushroom dishes are delicious, but it is not something you can’t avoid! Once you overcome the mushroom allergy symptoms, you should follow these tips to prevent it in the future:
- Keep yourself away from mushrooms, dishes prepared from them, and other products like yeast.
- Always keep anti-allergic medicines handy (nasal sprays are usually better).
- Always check the ingredients of packaged foods like sour creams, cheese, beer, and dry fruits, etc. Some packaged foods can also cause allergies in some people.
Health tips:
- If you are confirmed with allergy from mushrooms, the best option is to completely avoid them.
- Avoid dampness in or around your home and workplace. Don’t allow the growth of fungi and molds.
Mushroom allergy is not a very common condition, but it worth giving proper medical attention. If you develop any of the above-mentioned mushroom allergy symptoms, don’t ignore them, and visit a medical facility for a proper assessment, and diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with the allergy, you must have to avoid mushrooms and related products. And if you are not allergic to mushrooms, your doctor will help you to find out other reasons! Hopefully, you got to know everything about mushroom allergy, and you are now in a better space to avoid, manage, and treat it.