Cross allergies: what they are and what you need to watch out for

Cross-allergies are reactions triggered by the intake of certain foods. Let's find out which are the most important and how to protect yourself.

When we talk about cross-reactions we mean the presence of allergic reactions (in usually sensitive subjects) apparently unmotivated. In most cases, these occur following the intake of substances that contain the same proteins (or some very similar ones) of pollen or dust mites. When an allergic person comes into contact with these products, his immune system is alerted, thus giving rise to a real allergic reaction.
It is a phenomenon that is still little known but increasingly widespread and therefore it is really very important to know. Only in this way, in fact, will it be possible to prevent any problems caused by food intake.

Cross allergies: causes and symptoms

As already mentioned, most cross-allergies have to do with food and mostly concern people who are allergic to pollen or dust mites.
Although this is not a certainty (not everyone responds in the same way to various foods), it is therefore advisable to know the foods that can trigger a given allergy.

In fact, when cross-allergies occur, they are caused by the presence of proteins of the substance to which one is allergic, present even in minimal part in some foods. Usually, therefore, it is a problem that manifests itself more easily in the pollen season or in which what you are allergic to is present in the air. The symptoms that may indicate this type of allergy are always the same and can be summarized as follows:

– Asthma
– Rhinitis
– Conjunctivitis
– Itching
– Vesicles
– Urticaria
– Breathing problems

Only in very rare cases and in hypersensitive subjects can anaphylactic shock occur.
If you have any doubts about it, there is an allergy test known as Allergy Explorer text which allows you to check the allergic response to various allergens, including those present in minimal quantities on foods.

What are the foods to watch out for?

When talking about cross allergies, it is important to first understand what you are allergic to. In this way, it will be much easier to identify risky foods.
In case of pollen allergy , for example, honey consumption should be reduced or avoided.

Who is allergic to parietaria should consume less peas, melon, cherries, basil and pistachios. Birch allergy sufferers should pay attention to apples, pears, strawberries, plums, peaches, raspberries, almonds, cherries, fennel, peanuts and dried fruits.

Those who know they have an allergy to grasses should instead avoid the consumption of oranges, watermelon, melon, tomatoes, potatoes, peaches, apricots, plums, apples, almonds, peanuts and, in some cases, cereals and derivatives. Finally, (although there are many more allergies), those who are allergic to mites should avoid snails, shellfish and mussels. In fact, by taking these foods you can have allergies of various entities ranging from the simplest oral allergy syndrome to a real food allergy.

How to avoid cross allergies

As it is easy to understand, the first thing to do in case of a full-blown allergy to pollen or other molecules is to inquire about which foods can trigger a cross-reaction.
Once this is done, the most practical solution is to eliminate or reduce the consumption of foods that contain similar proteins.

In the event of errors and non-serious reactions, an antihistamine can be taken while, for the most serious cases, an injection of epinephrine is necessary which can be carried out in the emergency room even if, in the case of severe and risky allergies, the doctor tends to prescribe do-it-yourself bites and to be injected if necessary.

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