Reaction between proteins in zucchini and immune system leads to zucchini allergy. This vegetable is renowned to reduce weight, improves functioning of the heart and overall health.
Besides being nutritious, zucchini is delicious. Botanically, it’s a fruit and however most people prefer to consume it after cooking. There are different ways to cook this vegetable, through steaming, boiling, grilling, baking, frying and by adding in other recipes.
I personally love to have fried zucchini. But, unfortunately few people may experience adverse reactions after ingesting or touching this vegetable or related food.
Though cases of zucchini allergy are very rare, there is a chance of getting irritated. All you must do is to identify whether it’s safe for you or not.
When a hypersensitive people consume zucchini, immune system mistakenly detects harmless proteins as a threat to body and released antibodies. When again these proteins are ingested, IgE antibodies signal to produce histamines. Histamines react with the proteins in the food and results in allergic symptoms.
Symptoms of zucchini allergy include:
- Skin rashes
- Itching
- Skin flushing
- Facial redness
- Eczema
- Swelling of face, throat and lips
- Runny nose
- Watery and redness of eyes
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Tingling sensation around mouth
- Diarrhea
- Digestive issues
- Low blood pressure
- Abdominal cramps
- Lightheadedness
Based on a journal published in Aug 2000, only 4 members experienced zucchini allergy in this particular case. Patients were taken through skin prick test and prick to prick test to detect allergen. In all of them prick test with zucchini showed positive.
Not just through direct consumption, allergy can occur even through cross reaction between carbohydrate determinants.
As soon as you experience any of the uncommon symptoms after eating or inhaling zucchini food, then you must consult allergist for diagnosis. After skin prick test or other related test, allergist will determine the allergen and prescribe required medication.
Apart from medication, you must stop eating or inhaling zucchini food. Other foods that cross react with the pollen may trigger the allergy. Salicylate allergic people must avoid this vegetable, as it can trigger irritation.