Most of us grew up eating bananas to complete our diet. Hence, bananas are a good source of fiber and vitamins. Aside from being healthy, this fruit is a common ingredient in snacks, desserts, or baked goods. The reason is due to its good and sweet taste. While most enjoy this fruit, others could not. The reason is due to banana allergy. Upon eating bananas, their bodies cannot take it well. It results in unwanted symptoms.
Learning about this condition will guide you on how to cope with it. Facts you should know about banana allergy
1. Latex
Most of the time, banana intolerance relates to latex allergy. Also, banana and rubber trees have proteins that are alike, which causes allergy. Likewise, latex is the fluid found in plants like rubber trees. The proteins found in this fluid are also like one of the proteins found in bananas.
A banana allergy may also appear because of a latex allergy. So, those whose body reacts to latex might also have an allergic reaction to bananas.
Some factors increase the risk of having latex allergy, which is:
- Wearing latex gloves or objects is some. Also, babies with congenital disabilities have a higher risk due to surgery equipment with latex.
- Working in the latex industry
Bodies of those with the allergy think that the banana protein is harmful. So, it tries to fight it by giving off antibodies.
2. Signs
Moreover, reactions may vary from person to person. Symptoms occur after hours of eating the fruit.
- Runny nose
- Swollen lips, tongue, or throat
- Itchy skin
- Hives
- Trouble breathing
- Vomiting
- Pain in the belly
- Diarrhea
Other allergies have the same symptom as a banana allergy. For instance, milk, soy, peanuts, and wheat are goods that cause it. You can undergo a test and use diagnostic tools to identify what foods cause your body’s reaction. Tests may include taking blood samples. In this way, they can search if there are antibodies in your blood. Therefore, bodies give off such antibodies if it tries to fight off a protein.
3. Severe reaction to bananas is rare.
Extreme cases of banana intolerance occur in 1.2% of the population. But these are some of the symptoms that need immediate medical help.
- Flushed skin
- Closing of the airways
- A drop in blood pressure
- Fainting
These signs occur with mild symptoms too. To ensure safety, consult a doctor.
4. There is no cure for banana allergy.
Like other allergies, there is no treatment for this one. Still, you can ease and control the symptoms with prevention and antihistamine. In some cases, others can outgrow allergies, especially in childhood. But to others, it is a life-long condition. Not all can outgrow an allergy. The good news is that we can control the symptoms.
5. Avoid Eating
Moreover, the best way to stay away from an allergic reaction to bananas is not to eat one. Though bananas please our taste and health, do not eat it if your body reacts. These are the foods that may contain the proteins of this fruit.
- Baked goods flavored with bananas like cakes, bread, chip, and flour.
- Banana-flavored lip balm and drugs
- Kiwi, apples, carrots may contain similar proteins. Avoid eating such fruits.
Cooked bananas may be safe to eat. Still, talk about it with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest options for you or tell you what amount you can tolerate. Additionally, try searching for fruits that can meet your cravings. Other foods have the same nutrients as a banana and are still delicious.
- Oranges
- Berries
- Pumpkin
- Cooked sweet potatoes
To ensure that you won’t ingest the allergy-causing protein:
- Read food labels.
- Do not skip this rule.
- Ask the people around you if the dishes served have bananas.
Important Note
It is also good to inform your family, relatives, and friends if your body reacts to certain foods. So, they will let you know if a dish has a banana. They will also serve as your buddy if symptoms show.
If you are not good at both latex and bananas, avoid exposure to them. Objects with latex are often found in gym equipment. Examples of such objects are gloves, balloons, condoms, and dental dams. In addition, toys and pacifiers might also have latex.
Search for tests that can identify what causes your allergy. Doctors suggest taking notes of what you eat and the symptoms you experience. Take anti-allergy drugs with you in case of an emergency.
