An avocado allergy is not common, but the allergic reaction is bothersome and can be dangerous. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, less than 2 percent of U.S. adults have food allergies. An avocado allergy does not affect many people, but it can cause a wide range of allergic reactions in those who are allergic to it. Many people who are allergic to avocado are also allergic to cinnamon.
Symptoms of An Avocado Allergy
Someone with an avocado allergy may experience itching in the mouth, on the lips, in the throat, or on the face. These symptoms are probably caused by a food allergy if they occur shortly after eating avocado. When this occurs, the body mistakes the food for a harmful substance. Histamine is made and circulates throughout the body. If you have a food allergy reaction and begin to itch in your mouth and throat, the itching is your body’s attempt to rid itself of the substance that it believes is causing the problem.
Skin rash or eczema may also develop
Another of the body’s defenses caused by histamine is the development of a rash or of eczema. In its effort to get rid of the “dangerous” substance,
histamine attempts to force the allergen out of the body through the skin. A rash may develop on the arms, face or any other part of the body.
In a severe allergic reaction, the person allergic to avocado may have a rash on much of the body. Patches of eczema can also develop, and in some people, hives form on their skin. These raised welts can cause itching, or they may hurt when touched.
Other Possible Reactions Caused By Avocado Allergy
The digestive system also attempts to rid the body of the substance that it sees as a threat. In this case, a person may develop stomach cramps, diarrhea or vomiting. These reactions may begin shortly after eating when the food is still in the stomach, or they could take longer as the avocado moves through the digestive tract. Anaphylaxis is also possible if an avocado allergy is present, but it does not happen very often.
Treatment For Avocado Allergy
Since there is no cure for food allergies at this time, the main way to treat an avocado allergy is to avoid this food. If you have had a serious reaction to avocado, you may need to carry an epinephrine auto-
injector with you at all times.
Your allergist will test you to see if you have other food allergies, including an allergy to cinnamon. You will then need to avoid processed foods and restaurant foods that may contain the food to which you are allergic.