Introduction
Allergic reactions to different fruits and vegetables can develop in children at any age. Someallergiescan start during the teenage years after developing hay fever.
Certain fruit and vegetable families are more likely to cause allergic reactions. These can include:
Rosaceae
- apples
- pears
- cherries
- peaches
- plums
- strawberries.
Cucurbitaceae
- cucumbers
- melons - including watermelon and rockmelon or cantaloupe
- zucchinis
- pumpkins.
Kiwifruit, bananas, and plantains are also common allergens.
Like any other allergy, it is important to talk to your child’s doctor before reintroducing foods that have caused an allergic reaction.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms
Allergic reactions can be fast and happen within minutes of exposure to certain fruits or vegetables.
Reactions can include:
- hivesor welts on the skin
- redness of the skin
- vomiting andstomach ache
- tingling and swelling of the mouth, lips, face, and eyes.
Some children can have a more severe allergic reaction calledanaphylaxis.
Signs ofanaphylaxis include:
- wheezing,difficult, or noisy breathing
- swelling of the tongue
- swelling or tightness in the throat
- a persistent cough
- difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
- dizziness
- becoming pale and floppy in young children
- collapsing.
If your child has signs of anaphylaxis, you should:
- follow your child’s ASCIA action plan for anaphylaxis if you have one
- use anEpiPen® or Anapen®, if there is one available
- call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
Symptoms of a delayed reaction can include:
- vomiting and nausea
- abdominal pain or stomach ache
- bloating
- diarrhoea.
See your local doctor as soon as possible if your child is showing signs of an allergic reaction for the first time.
Symptoms of mild allergic reactions should fade over time. See your local doctor as soon as possible if symptoms do not get better or you are concerned.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
If you think your child has had an allergic reaction that is not anaphylaxis, write down the following and see your local doctor as soon as possible:
- time the fruit or vegetable was eaten
- the amount that was eaten
- time of reaction
- type of reaction.
A specialist doctor can diagnosea fruit or vegetable allergy based on your child’s:
- medical history
- signs and symptoms
- results fromallergy tests.
Some children will grow out of their allergy.
A food challenge can be done to figure out whether your child has grown out of their allergy and whether certain fruits and vegetables can be reintroduced to their diet safely. Food challenges are done under the supervision of a doctor in the hospital.
Treatment
Treatment
Your child's doctor will find the best possible treatment for their allergy based on their individual health needs.
In most cases, your child must carefully avoid specific fruits and vegetables. Children at risk of anaphylaxis need:
- an ASCIA action plan
- an adrenaline injector, also known as anEpiPen® or Anapen®.
Your child will also need to learn how to identify foods that contain specific fruits and vegetables as they get older and become more independent with their diet.
Management
Management
Other reactions to fruit and vegetables
Perioral contact dermatitis
Some children can develop a rash around the mouth after eating acidic foods like:
- oranges
- tomatoes
- strawberries.
This is a common reaction calledperioral contact dermatitis. Perioral contact dermatitis does not mean you need to removea particular food from your child's diet.
Oral allergy syndrome (OAS)
Some children may develop symptoms like swelling, tingling and redness around the mouth and tongue after eating certain raw fruits and vegetables.
This is calledoral allergy syndrome (OAS). It is common in children who have:
- asthma
- hay fever
- pollen allergies.
OAS is also known asPollen Food Syndrome (PFS). Symptoms of OAS or PFS can occur at any time of the year but can be worse in the months when more pollen is in the air. This is spring and summer in most states and territories.
OAS or PFS happens when the immune system confuses proteins in fruit, vegetables, or nuts for the proteins found in pollen.
Pollens found in foods that trigger OAS or PFS include:
- birch pollen: apple, almond, carrot, celery, cherry, hazelnut, kiwifruit, peach, pear, plum
- grass pollen: celery, melons, oranges, peaches, tomato, peanut
- ragweed pollen: banana, cucumber, melons, sunflower seeds, zucchini
In some children, allergies to pollen, fruits andlatexhappen together.
Latex allergy
Children with latex allergies are more likely to have an allergy to fruits and plants, including:
- banana
- avocado
- chestnut
- papaya
- passionfruit
- fig
- melon
- kiwifruit
- pineapple
- peach
- tomato.
These foods do not always need to be avoided if your child has alatex allergy unless they cause a severe reaction.
In some children, allergies to pollen, fruits and latex happen together.
Allergens, food labels and eating out
It is important to always check the package and ingredient list of all foods your child eats.
In Australia, allergens are shown in bold each time they appear in an ingredient list.This may not include the fruit or vegetable your child is allergic to, so you should check the ingredient list where possible.
Always tell the staff that your child has a specific fruit or vegetable allergy when eating out. This will help you find safe foods and avoid contamination.
If you cannot confirm that food does not contain your child’s allergen, it is safest for your child to avoid it.
Talk to your child’s doctor about what types of foods that contain certain fruits and vegetables are safe if you are unsure.
Education
The most important thing you can do is support your child in avoiding their allergen. You can also educate your child, family, and friends about allergies, reactions, and what to do in an emergency.
Parents of younger children will need to read ingredient lists and learn to find the allergens in foods and drinks.
Older children can be supported to learn how to read ingredient lists and find their allergens in foods and drinks.
This can help keep children safe and encourage them to be more independent and confident about their diet and health.
Resources and more information
Resources and more information
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Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia
phone Phone1300 728 000
Biography
Provides valuable updates and tips for dealing with food allergies.
Related Links
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The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
Biography
Provides resources including fact sheets, e-training and information on locating allergy specialists.
Related Links
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Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
Biography
An independent statutory agency, part of the Australian Government's Health portfolio that provides detailed information on food labelling.
Related Links
