Allergy to Raw Fruit?

Question

When I was 18 I suddenly developed an allergy to raw fruit - the doctor I went to at the time was completely uninterested and just told me not to eat any of the things I'm allergic too. I'm now 25 and totally sick of not being able to eat fruit! Has anyone else had an allergy like this come on suddenly, and is it possible for an allergy to disappear again after some time? If anything I am getting a worse reaction each time I try to eat fruit.

It's every fruit apart from citrus fruits - lemon & limes are fine, but not exactly edible on their own! The reaction I get is swelling up of my throat inside so that I can't swallow, feel like there's a lump inside my throat although it doesn't affect my breathing. Also itching mouth & throat, and feel really uncomfortable in my chest area like bad indigestion. I'm also allergic to asprin (always have been) so it could be related to that.

Answer 1

To violabird and tiffany: I used to have the same problem. Even getting watermelon juice on my hands would make them break out in a rash. It is called oral allergy syndrome. Especially the watermelon--it is considered in the same family as ragweed. I went to the allergist for allergy desensitation shots. After five years of being on the shots, my allergy to raw fruits and vegetables went away!

Answer 2

Allergy + exczema

Hi, you have my sympathy.
It is quite possible for an allergy to come on suddenly and then to disappear. I sufferred like this for around eighteen months a few years ago.
I got severe swelling of what one doctor called my "muzzle" (lol) i.e. lips, tongue, inside cheeks, nostrils. The cause was never found though I had tests and had to visit Casualty (ER?) a couple of times when I thought my throat was swelling up.
It was eventually controlled (or it stopped!) by my taking three different types of anti-histamine tablets each day for around three months. I haven't had an attack for about four years now.
The doctor who helped me most was a dermatologist who I had to see privately and who seemed to think there was a connection between the allergy and the fact that I had recently developed exczema as well.
Is it ALL fruits that affect you? I already had an intolerance to Kiwi fruit (caused the inside of my throat to itch). I know some fruits contain enzymes which others don't so maybe you could try to group them together and avoid a certain group?
Also, see your regular doctor and insist on a second opinion as you have been putting up with this for such a long time.
Good luck.

Answer 3

You need to go to an allergist. Regular doctors and PA's are uninterested, because it's not in their field. Allergies can develop rapidly and that is why an allergist is the one to see. A person can eat a cucumber on Tuesday and be fine, but then on Thursday eat one and start to itch. Our internal system constantly changes. Allergies are a dangerous game our body is playing. You can easily die from one. See an allergist ~ you will feel better and you will know exactly what you are allergic to. Good luck

Answer 4

I cant eat cantelope or watermelon, makes the inside of my mouth and throat itch like crazy. Its weird. I cant eat bananas outside of cereal with milk or the same thing happens. Usually when you develop allergies to something when you're older they tend to stick but theres a slim chance it could away. The body changes. Im not sure what your physical reaction is when you eat these things so its hard to give advice on that. you can sautee the fruit a little or maybe incorporate them in oatmeal or something to absorb whatever sugars are doing that to you.

Answer 5

My male friend has developed the same thing. And its been only a few years now and hes in his thirties. He cant eat strawberries or anything like that because it makes him feel weird and he goes all rashy. It could pass I suppose but usually stays with you once it develops. Doctors are useless, my son has a peanut allergy and he didnt even want to give him an epipen incase of anaphlactic shock. Poor you.

Answer 6

Hi, I'm am allergic to some raw fruits and vegetables, especially acidic ones. The ones I have to stay away from are oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, avocado, tomatoes. I am very fair complected, red hair and have light blue eyes some allergist say being light skinned has something to do with it because we are more sensitive to the acid in things we eat.

Answer 7

I was told that it is the fruit acid in raw fruit which causes the reaction - strawberries and pineapples can cause real problems in some people - so you should be able to eat cooked fruit and banana if this is the reason for your reaction.

Answer 8

Yeah, this is an allergy. You might be able to get allergy testing to see exactly what you are allergic to. Maybe it is something on the fruit?

Answer 9

i had something like that. My lips swelled quit fast and i looked like fish! turns out i was allergic to the pesticides used. So just try to wash them as i am fine now and can eat fruit with just a tingle but they don't swell!

Answer 10

The allergy can become worse with each exposure, so please don't keep trying to eat raw fruit.

You could try cooking the friut prior to eating...in some cases this will work.
Otherwise I am afraid all you can do is avoid friut.

Good luck
A.D.