Potato allergy

It's unbelievable, but true: potato allergy exists. In its pure form, however, it is quite rare. But you can't ignore or disregard the body's reaction to the "second bread". After all, potato allergy, like any other food allergy, can cause anaphylactic shock.

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Causes of Potato Allergy

As already mentioned, the diagnosis of "potato allergy" is extremely rare. This vegetable, which is known to be included in the children's diet, is often not considered as a potential cause of food allergies. On the contrary: doctors often advise eating potatoes when allergic reactions occur...

Allergy to potatoes most often develops as a reaction of the body to starch or proteins (pentone, tuberin, etc.). In this case, both respiratory and food allergies to potatoes can be observed.

At one time, an experiment was conducted at the University Hospital of Leuven (Belgium). People in white coats examined the health of eight children, aged from 3.5 months to 2 years. All had allergic reactions of unknown origin. According to the scientists, ordinary white potatoes could be to blame. They decided to test this hypothesis experimentally. Result: 2 out of 8 children had immediate allergic reactions to potatoes, while the rest had delayed reactions. Scientists were unable to determine what exactly caused this reaction. As it turned out, each child “reacted” in this way to different combinations of potato proteins. It also turned out that heat treatment of potatoes has virtually no effect on the situation and does not reduce the allergenicity of the vegetable, at least for children. However, the allergy to potatoes was short-lived. In 7 out of 8 children examined, it disappeared as soon as they turned 6 years old.

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Symptoms of Potato Allergy

Potato allergy can manifest itself in a whole range of symptoms. These can be gastrointestinal reactions (intestinal disorders), rhinitis, sneezing, itching and burning in the mouth. In addition, contact dermatitis, eczema, urticaria and even asthma attacks are possible. Potato allergy can cause very severe headaches and even, as already mentioned, anaphylactic shock.

It is important to note that the reaction can occur even with indirect contact. For example, allergic reactions can occur in children if the child is in the kitchen where potatoes are being peeled.

So, an allergy to potatoes can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• difficulty swallowing;
• hoarseness;
• swelling of the lips, tongue, throat and face;
• asthma;
• hives;
• coughing, sneezing;
• redness, toothache and soreness of the eyes;
• runny nose;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• dyspnea;
• headaches, sleep disturbances, dizziness;
• itching and tingling in the mouth.

The earliest and most typical symptoms are redness and a small rash on the skin around the mouth, itching in the mouth, swelling of the mucous membrane. These signs usually appear immediately after eating potatoes. Also, quite often, an allergy to potatoes manifests itself in abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract. We are talking about such symptoms as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, stabbing pain in the abdomen.

Potato allergy in infants

It is infants who are most often prone to allergic reactions to certain foods. The fault lies with the still fragile intestinal walls. They simply cannot provide the small organism with the necessary protection from allergens. In addition, hereditary predisposition and environmental problems in the environment can contribute to the development of allergies in children.

Potato allergy manifests itself in infants in almost the same way as in patients of other age groups. These may include skin lesions (dermatitis, Quincke's edema, urticaria), gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation), and respiratory disorders (rhinitis, sneezing, and asthma).

According to statistics, in 26 percent of cases, the cause of food allergies in one-year-old children is potatoes. By the way, do not forget about the so-called "cross-reaction". When a food allergy to potatoes worsens, the body can "inadequately react" to other products that are similar in antigen structure. As a result, an allergic reaction to another product can develop. In case of allergy to potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, green and red capsicum, paprika, tobacco can cause a cross-reaction.

It is true that there is an unspoken rule: if an allergy appears in a child before the age of 3, then most likely it will disappear with age.

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Diagnosis of Potato Allergy

When diagnosing allergies in infants, it is necessary, first of all, to pay attention to the nutrition of the nursing mother and child. In order to establish the exact cause, it will be necessary to keep a food diary. There you need to write down all the products that the child and mother eat, and also note the reaction of the child's body to food.

If you think you have identified a product that causes an allergy, but want to make sure, you can use the food provocation method. It consists of the fact that the product “under suspicion” is first completely removed from the person’s diet for several weeks, then returned to the menu. All this time, the patient’s condition is recorded, the appearance or, conversely, the disappearance of allergic reactions. However, it is necessary to remember: this method is quite dangerous. Since it can provoke anaphylactic shock. Therefore, it should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

To accurately diagnose a potato allergy, you will probably need to perform skin tests. In this case, the suspected allergen (potato proteins, starch) is injected under the skin in a small amount and minimal concentration. Based on the reaction to this manipulation, the doctor can determine whether there is an allergy to potatoes. However, many doctors do not recommend using this method on children under 5 years of age.

To accurately understand whether a person has an allergy to potatoes, he will need to undergo an examination by an allergist and a nutritionist. In addition, you can take a CAP-RAST or ELISA blood test. Allergy screening (analysis of specific immunoglobulins E) can also determine whether there is an allergy to potatoes.

Potato Allergy Treatment

First of all, at the first signs of sensitivity to potatoes, it should be excluded from the diet. If an allergy to potatoes occurs in a baby, then the mother should also refuse the "second bread", and in any form.

In addition, if you have allergic reactions, you must strictly follow a hypoallergenic diet.

Special immunotherapy has become widespread recently. It consists of introducing an allergen into the patient's body with increasing dosage. In response, antibodies are supposedly produced. But such treatment can only be carried out by an experienced allergist and only after a thorough examination.

In cases of severe food allergy to potatoes, you need to take antihistamines. The most popular of them are Diazolin, Suprastin, Claritin, Loratadine and others. Diazolin and Suprastin can be taken by mothers under strict medical supervision during lactation. The doctor prescribes treatment regimens.

According to the instructions, Diazolin dragees should be taken orally, without chewing, immediately after or during meals. Adults and children over 12 years old - 1-3 times a day, 0.1 g, children from 2 to 5 years old - 1-2 times a day, 0.05 g, from 5 to 10 years old - 0.05 g 2-4 times a day.

The standard dosage of Suprastin for adults is 1 tablet 3-4 times a day. Children under one year old – ¼ tablet (6.25 mg) 2-3 times a day. Toddlers from 1 to 6 years old – 1/3 tablet (8.3 g) 2-3 times a day. Children aged 7 to 14 years can take half a tablet 2-3 times a day.

The recommended dose of Claritin for adults and children over 12 years old is 1 tablet (10 mg) or 2 teaspoons of syrup once a day. Children from 2 to 12 years old - half the adult dosage.

Adults and children over 12 years of age can take loratadine orally 1 tablet (10 mg) once a day. Children from 2 to 12 years old, as in the case of Claritin, should take half the adult dose.

In case of anaphylactic shock, emergency care is needed. Therefore, it is important that the patient has adrenaline on hand.

Prevention of Potato Allergy

Children often outgrow allergies. If an allergy to potatoes bothers adults, they should remember that they will most likely be in potential danger for the rest of their lives. The most effective way to avoid suffering from an allergy to potatoes is to exclude potatoes from your diet.

In addition, it is necessary to remember: potato starch, which is most often the provocateur of allergic reactions, is included in the composition of various dishes. Therefore, when eating in restaurants and cafes, it is important to warn the cooks about your allergy and clarify what is included in this or that dish. Also, do not forget to carefully study the labels and compositions of the products that you buy in the store.

If you or your child have an allergy to potatoes, and at least once in their life it has manifested itself acutely, always have antihistamines with you, and in extreme cases, even epinephrine.