Vegetable allergy, a rare type of food allergy that needs to be known

Vegetables are one of the most commonly used food ingredients in cooking. Apart from being available everywhere, vegetables are also rich in nutrients and vitamins which are very good for the body, so many are recommended to be consumed every day.

Unfortunately, there are people who cannot eat some types of vegetables. Not because of the taste, but because they have food allergies, especially those caused by certain types of vegetables. How can? Check out the explanation below.

Why can anyone be allergic to vegetables?

Allergic reactions to food occur when the immune system mistakenly considers substances in food to be foreign and dangerous, so that the body will create an allergic reaction as resistance.

The body will produce antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) which later send signals to histamine-producing cells. Histamine is what will trigger an allergic reaction in the form of hives, rashes, and other symptoms.

In addition, allergic reactions that arise can also be caused by other conditions such as pollen food syndrome or pollen food syndrome. This usually occurs in people who are already allergic to pollen and have allergic fever.

People with this condition can experience an allergic reaction after eating certain vegetables. The reason is, there are several types of vegetables that have the same protein that is also found in pollen. However, most reactions occur only after eating uncooked vegetables.

Fortunately, allergic reactions caused by vegetables are rare.

Types of vegetables that can cause allergies

Actually, all types of vegetables have the potential to trigger allergic reactions, but there are some vegetables that cause it more often. Some of these vegetables are vegetables nightshade, celery, and onions.

Vegetables nightshade is a vegetable of the Sloaneceae plant family. The majority of plants in this family are not edible and there are some that can be deadly, such as the belladonna plant. However, there are also other vegetables that can be consumed and are often used as cooking ingredients in Indonesia.

Some of the vegetables that are included in the family nightshade are eggplant, white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, chilies, and bird's eye chilies. It is likely that allergies to nightshade vegetables are triggered by the presence of a group of compounds called alkaloids.

Alkaloids are actually chemicals that protect plants from mold and pests. Some of the types found in nightshade plants are solanine, nicotine, and capsaicin.

Therefore, if you or someone else complains of similar food allergy symptoms after eating potatoes, it is likely that the reaction occurs because of the interaction between antibodies and alkaloids.

Celery is also one of the vegetables that often triggers allergic recurrences. Most cases are higher in areas such as Germany and Switzerland, which often consume them raw. That's why an allergic reaction to celery is often associated with pollen allergies.

However, you also have to be careful with cooked celery. Because most allergens in celery are resistant to heat and do not disappear during processing, so those of you who are sensitive should still avoid products containing celery.

Distinguish vegetable allergy from sensitivity to salicylates

Source: Food Republic

Sometimes, the reaction that occurs after eating eggplant makes you think that you have an allergy. However, it turns out that this reaction does not always indicate an allergy. Alternatively, you could be sensitive to salicylates.

Salicylates are compounds that are found in foods, medicines, and beauty products. Intolerance to this substance is caused by excess leukotriene, a substance that often causes inflammation.

The excess leukotriene produced by the body makes it difficult for the body to digest salicylates and eventually causes reactions in the form of nasal congestion, diarrhea, and hives.

Apart from eggplant, some vegetables that contain natural salicylates are broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, and cauliflower. To determine whether you have vegetables or salicylate intolerance, you should immediately check with your doctor.

Various allergy symptoms that can arise

Vegetable allergy symptoms can appear in mild to serious intensity. This all depends on how sensitive your body reacts to substances that are considered dangerous, as well as how long and how much of these substances have entered the body.

Vegetable allergy symptoms are similar to common food allergy symptoms such as:

• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• abdominal pain or pain,
• coughs,
• tingling tongue,
• swollen lips and mouth,
• itching all over the body, as well
• itchy mouth, lips, and throat.

Usually, these symptoms will appear immediately after you eat vegetables. It's not uncommon for symptoms to appear after a few hours. You don't always experience the same symptoms every time you experience an allergic reaction.

Although most cases of food allergies can be easy to treat, you still need to be aware of the risk of anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening.

How to handle it?

Mild vegetable allergy reactions can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamine food allergy drugs such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). However, for the first time reaction you should immediately consult a doctor.

The doctor will usually do blood tests to determine whether you have an allergic reaction or not. In addition, the doctor will also diagnose the cause of allergies whether due to eating eggplant or maybe because of other things.

If it turns out that you or someone around you is experiencing anaphylactic shock after eating vegetables, you should immediately go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital for emergency assistance.

Previously, people who experienced severe allergic reactions had to be injected with a drug in the form of an epinephrine injection. But if not available, help by loosening his clothes to clear his airway and laying his body on his back with his feet higher than the heart.

If the person concerned vomits, then immediately tilt his body. Do not give the anaphylactic victim any food or drink until medical help arrives.