Pineapples are a tropical fruit that consist of an array of vitamins, enzymes and other nutrients. The characteristics of this delicious fruit make it a perfect addition to many dishes. However, when purchased in some stores, the fruit might be treated with pesticides or sulfites. This can result in pineapple allergy symptoms for people who are eating the fruit for the first time, or are not aware of what they should look out for.
If you have pineapple allergy, your immune system mistakes pineapple protein
If you have pineapple allergy, your immune system mistakes pineapple protein as a threat and responds by producing antibodies to attack it. This triggers symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can include itching, swelling and hives.
If you’ve eaten pineapple in the past without any problems, chances are you won’t develop a full-blown allergy unless you’re exposed to it on a regular basis. But even if you’re not allergic to pineapples yet, eating them can cause itching and other uncomfortable reactions.
- Pineapple Allergy Symptoms
The symptoms of pineapple allergy vary widely from person to person. It’s possible for someone with a pineapple allergy to have no symptoms at all after eating the fruit. Others may experience mild symptoms like itching or swelling of the mouth or throat after eating pineapples. Severe reactions are much less common but can be serious enough to require emergency treatment if they occur.
The severity of your pineapple allergy depends on how much of this fruit you ate and whether you had any previous exposure to it before developing an allergy. If you’ve eaten pineapples in the past without incident, the likelihood that you’ll react when eating them again is lower than someone who never ate them before developing an allergy response.
Pineapple allergy symptoms usually appear immediately after eating the fruit, but can sometimes take a few hours.
Pineapple allergy symptoms usually appear immediately after eating the fruit, but can sometimes take a few hours.
The most common symptoms of pineapple allergy include:
- Skin rash, including redness and swelling. This can be itchy or tingly.
- Swelling of your lips, tongue or throat. This can make it hard to breathe.
- Hives (itchy raised bumps) or angioedema (swelling under the skin).
- Anaphylaxis: Your airways swell shut because of a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening if not treated right away.
The most common pineapple allergy symptoms include hives, itching in the mouth, nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
The most common pineapple allergy symptoms include hives, itching in the mouth, nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Pineapple Allergy Treatment
If you have a pineapple allergy, you will need to avoid eating fresh pineapple. You can also be allergic to pineapple juice or canned pineapple products.
If you experience an allergic reaction to fresh pineapple, wash the area with soap and water. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain. Take an antihistamine such as Zyrtec or Allegra. If your throat is swollen, take Benadryl (diphenhydramine). If you have asthma symptoms or trouble breathing, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
A doctor can do a skin prick test for pineapple allergy.
Pineapple allergy is a rare allergy. In some people, pineapple may cause a skin rash or an itchy mouth.
If you have a pineapple allergy, you can’t eat fresh or canned pineapple. You also should avoid products that contain pineapple, such as juice, jam, and candy.
A doctor can do a skin prick test for pineapple allergy. This test will tell whether your body has an allergic reaction to the protein in fresh pineapple. If the test shows that you’re not allergic to fresh pineapple, you can eat it safely. But if the test shows that you are allergic to fresh pineapple, avoid it and foods that contain it.
You might need an oral food challenge (OFC) before eating pineapple again if your skin prick test is positive (meaning you’re likely having an allergic reaction). OFCs are done by allergists under controlled conditions in which small amounts of foods are eaten at different times over several hours. A patient’s symptoms are carefully monitored during each stage of this process to determine how much of a specific food they can safely eat without having an allergic reaction and how long they should follow up-
If you think you are allergic to pineapples, you need to avoid them entirely and should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
If you think you are allergic to pineapples, you need to avoid them entirely and should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
Epinephrine is a hormone that can be injected into the muscle of the thigh to reduce swelling and inflammation. It can also help to reverse anaphylaxis. It should only be used as a last resort if symptoms occur, as it can make them worse.
If you have other allergies or asthma, talk with your doctor about what medicine might be best for you.
If you have had an allergic reaction before, avoid eating pineapple in any form (fresh or canned). Keep in mind that all parts of the pineapple plant (including leaves and stems) contain allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction in some people, but not others.
If you’ve had a severe reaction after eating pineapples symptoms are caused by pineapple allergy and not something else.
If you’ve had a severe reaction after eating pineapples or if you have other allergies, contact an allergist to confirm that your symptoms are caused by pineapple allergy and not something else.
Once the allergy has been confirmed, your doctor can help you avoid future reactions by recommending food alternatives and providing you with an epinephrine auto-injector in case you have another reaction.
If you suspect that you’re allergic to pineapple, talk to your doctor about getting tested for this allergy.
- Pineapple Allergy Treatment
There is no cure for pineapple allergy, so treatment focuses on avoiding future reactions. If you’re allergic to pineapples, your doctor may recommend that you avoid eating them completely or substitute them with another fruit. If this is the case, don’t eat any product that contains pineapple, such as canned juice or gelatin desserts. Pineapple also goes by many different names: pina colada, pineapple juice and maraschino cherries (made from cherries treated with pineapple enzymes).
Conclusion
Pineapple allergy is not to be taken lightly, especially if your body overreacts to it. The fact that pineapple allergy symptoms can persist even after consuming the fruit itself is worrisome. Fortunately, there are treatment options that you can use to help relieve pineapple allergies and minimize the discomforts brought about by them.
