Adverse reaction between food allergen and immune system results in various allergic symptoms. Lettuce allergy is not common but it does occur. Food allergies like nuts, eggs and shellfish are well known and a great percentage of Americans are hypersensitive to them.
Note: As soon as you see abnormal symptoms after eating lettuce, consult doctor immediately.
Rich in vitamins and minerals in lettuce enhance healthy functioning of skin, hair and overall body. However, it may trigger allergic reaction in sensitive people.
Lettuce Allergy Symptoms
Romaine lettuce is packed with rich concentration of nutrients. Benefits like weight loss, healthy functioning of heart and treating insomnia. Low calories in this plant food have abundant beneficial nutrients for your body.
But unfortunately in few people these assorted proteins trigger allergic reaction.
A study states that four allergens are detected in lettuce, which exhibits IgE binding activity. Several lettuce varieties are tested and found similar proteins that can stimulate allergic reaction.
Immune system mistaken harmless protein has a threat and releases IgE antibodies to detect them, which in turn signals to produce histamines. Thus the reaction between foreign substances and histamines lead to allergic symptoms.
In 2009 a study showed that a person with lettuce allergy detected protein LAC S-1 as allergen to trigger the reaction. Your allergist will conduct immunoassay test to confirm the allergen.
Symptoms include:
- Skin rashes
- Swelling of lips, mouth and face
- Hives
- Itching
- Runny nose
- Sore eyes
- Digestive issues
- Swelling of throat
- Anaphylaxis
Adrenaline injection will be given in life-threatening situation and vital aspect of treating lettuce allergy is to avoid contact and consumption of lettuce leaves.
Reaction may trigger even if you inhale steam of cooking lettuce or when you contact them. In case of mild symptoms, modifying your diet will help to get relief from allergic reaction. If needed, antihistamine will be prescribed to fight histamine.
Diagnosis and Prevention
Consult doctor or allergist for diagnosis. After conducting required test like skin prick test and other respiratory related test, allergen will be determined.
If you didn’t experience allergic reaction after first use of lettuce, doesn’t mean that you’re safe. When proteins in this plant food comes react with immune system, you may not notice any symptom. But, when repeatedly proteins are ingested, histamines are released to trigger mild to severe allergic reaction.
Time period can be months, hours or within minutes, depending on the person. As soon as you see any abnormal sign, stop consuming lettuce or any other food that you doubt to trigger the reaction and reach allergist.
Even in future to avoid lettuce allergy symptoms, you must stop using this plant food. Also products that incorporate its leaves or juice must be refrained. Other than lettuce, foods that have similar protein structure can trigger allergic reaction.