Three less common food allergies you might not know about

Posted: 4th December 2019 | Posted by Costa

Three less common food allergies you might not know about

In the UK, around 2 million people have a food allergy. And these are just the people who have been diagnosed! The actual figure is likely a lot higher.

There are some foods we all associate with allergies. We’ve all heard of peanut or shellfish allergies. And if we were suffering from one of these, it probably wouldn’t take us long to put two and two together. 

But what about the less common food allergies? The sneaky ones you might not expect or see coming. The more unusual the allergy, the harder it is to identify. We eat so many things it can be hard to pinpoint a specific food allergen. Here are some rare allergies you’ve probably never heard of!

Avocados

They’ve taken the current food scene by storm. But do you find yourself unable to enjoy an Instagrammable lunch of avocado toast? Turns out avocado allergies are actually a thing! And this specific allergen is two-fold, making it even more complicated.

You can have an oral allergy to avocados as they’re high in histamines. You eat an avocado, your body reacts, and your immune system tries to destroy it. The symptoms tend to include itching in your lips, mouth, or throat. It can also lead to stomach issues similar to IBS.

Now onto part two. The proteins found in avocados are really similar to those in latex. And this means you might react to avocados if you’re allergic to latex. You could get swollen lips, watery eyes, a runny nose, and stomach ache. In more severe cases, you might also experience hives or anaphylaxis. 

If you’re an avocado fiend, we hear that chayote squash is an excellent alternative and makes for a mean guacamole!

Marshmallows 

If you react to marshmallows, it’s probably gelatin that’s to blame. Gelatin is a protein and, although rare, it can lead to allergic reactions. You might experience hives, an itchy mouth or throat, mouth swelling, or stomach ache. 

Worth noting is that gelatin is also found in gummy sweets and has been linked to vaccines such as the flu shot.

Garlic 

Garlic adds a lot of flavour to our meals, but it could also add a lot of problems to your life. If you suffer from an allergy rather than an intolerance, expect to see hives, itching in your mouth and throat, a runny nose, sneezing, and stomach cramps.

Garlic, like avocado, is cross-reactive. Meaning if you’re allergic, you should also be wary of onions, leeks, chives, and shallots.

So there you have it. Three of the more unusual food allergies. If you’re a big fan of any of these things and have been experiencing some suspicious symptoms, maybe it’s time for an allergy test!

If you want an allergy test, or to learn more about different allergens, give us a call on 02031 433 499.