am i allergic to potassium?

Question

cant eat fruit"and i mean nothing",,,but its weird because I ate all fruits as a child and no reaction.no melons,bananas,oh i loved bananas,no guacamole.

Answer 1

Oral Allergy Syndrome

The Oral Allergy Syndrome is a fascinating disease entity. It has more recently been renamed Pollen-Food allergy syndrome. In this condition, Hayfever patients sensitised to pollen develop oral allergic symptoms to certain fruits and vegetables. This occurs in up to 40% of all Hayfever sufferers who are allergic to birch or grass pollen. Once sensitised to the pollen, they develop allergy to similar allergens found in fresh fruit and vegetables.

Symptoms occur within a few minutes of contact and are almost always localised to the mouth and oro-pharynx with lip and oral itching. Oral swelling with occasional glottic oedema may ensue. Patients do not react to cooked fruit or vegetables.

Cross Reactivity
Individuals with birch allergy can cross react with apples, pears, almonds, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums, nectarines, prunes, kiwi, carrots, celery, fennel, parsley, coriander, parsnips, peppers, and potatoes. Hazel nuts, almonds and walnuts are also associated.

Alder pollen allergy cross reacts with celery, pears, apples, almonds, cherries, hazel nuts, peaches, and parsley.

The foods known to cross react with ragweed pollen are watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew, zucchini, banana and cucumber. Even dandelions or chamomile tea can cause a reaction because they belong to the same plant family.

Grass pollens allergies may cross react with melons, tomatoes and oranges.

Mugwort pollen allergy is associated with celery, fennel,carrots, parsley, coriander, sunflower and peppers.

What Can Be Done?
In most cases OAS does not require medical treatment. It is best to avoid the offending foods. Often times, just peeling or cooking the food will reduce the effects. At times an antihistamine can effectively relieve the symptoms. In individuals with severe recurrent OAS, desensitisation has been useful.

Answer 2

You may not be allergic to potassium itself. I am allergic to bananas and to the histamine in melons. However, I am fine with potassium in other sources. Have you consulted a doctor about this? They might be able to test this.

Answer 3

No, but you may be allergic to something else in fruit. Potassium is in your blood and every cell in your body.

See an allergist to find out exactly what it is you're allergic to.

Answer 4

no, allergy to potassium is incompatible with life.