Cranberry allergy

Cranberries are a valuable and healthy product. Cranberries are widely consumed fresh, as well as in the form of syrup, jam, marmalade, compote and other dishes. For example, a favorite treat for children is cranberries in sugar. The berry is added to cabbage fermentation, to stew meat, to prepare sauces for fish. The widespread use of berries, especially in baby food, often prompts the question: is there an allergy to cranberries? Can cranberries be consumed in any quantities, or should their consumption be limited so as not to provoke a reaction in the body?

The northern berry cranberry belongs to the second category of products in terms of allergenicity. This means that cranberry allergy occurs, but quite rarely. Despite the fact that the berry has a rich red color and sour taste.

It is true that cranberry allergies do occur, although they are considered to be quite rare. However, cranberry lovers should learn more about this.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Can cranberries cause allergies?

Allergy is a kind of hypersensitivity to certain types of food. Most often, such a reaction manifests itself in childhood - this can happen on average to 7% of children under 2 years of age.

Most of the products that can cause allergies are protein products, i.e. milk, eggs, nuts, etc. Cranberries are considered to be products of moderate allergenicity: they can cause allergies no more and no less than other berries or fruits.

However, allergies to cranberries do occur, and this cannot be ignored, especially if a person has already had reactions to any berries.

If you have never eaten cranberries before, do not rush to eat a whole bowl at once. Try one berry first, observe your body's reaction throughout the day. And only then begin to increase the amount of cranberries in your diet (within reason, of course).

The same applies to feeding cranberries to children. The berry should be offered gradually, carefully observing the baby's condition. It is not recommended to give cranberries to a child under one and a half years old.

Causes of Cranberry Allergy

All food products have their own properties regarding the possibility of causing an allergic reaction in humans. In this regard, experts distinguish three categories of products depending on the degree of their allergenic activity:

• High - observed in chocolate, strawberries and all types of citrus fruits.
• Medium – observed in peaches, apricots, red currants and some other food products, such as milk, eggs, oatmeal.
• Low - this characterizes all green fruits, vegetables and greens, as well as other types of products.

But you shouldn't rest on your laurels if you want to use cranberries in your diet, especially for children. Common sense is needed in any matter. Therefore, adults need to know that any new food products should be introduced into a child's or adult menu in small doses, always observing the body's reaction to unfamiliar food. At the same time, it is important to remember that you should not experiment on the body and introduce several new products at once. So that later you don't have to guess what caused the allergic reaction from the whole set of "innovations" with which a person was so generously and suddenly "blessed".

So, a child or an adult can eat cranberries in small doses for breakfast. Then during the day, parents need to observe the health and reaction of their children. Adults themselves can easily monitor themselves in order to detect any strange symptoms. This must be done for one day. And if everything is okay, then you can eat some more cranberries. After that, try to track allergic reactions in the body again. In the case when everything is okay, no unexpected symptoms have appeared, you can calm down and introduce cranberries into your regular diet. Naturally, in adequate quantities, so as not to cause an allergic reaction with a large volume of a new product.

What factors can cause cranberry allergies:

• hereditary factor - if a child's parents suffer from allergies, then there is a 40% chance that the baby will also develop allergies;
• increased permeability of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract;
• weak immune defense, intestinal dysbacteriosis;
• abuse of cranberry dishes.

Often, a child develops an allergy if the mother ate a lot of cranberries during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Increased sensitivity in childhood can develop due to an insufficient period of breastfeeding, which negatively affects the baby's immune system.

[ 3 ]

Symptoms of cranberry allergy

If an adult or child has any signs of allergy, then cranberries should not be used as food, even if they are very healthy.

Clinical symptoms of cranberry allergy occur within a short time - from 15-20 minutes to 20 hours, regardless of age. However, in childhood, symptoms may be more pronounced, which is explained by the weakness of the body and the insufficiency of the child's immune defense.

Symptoms may appear individually, several at a time, or be limited to one symptom:

• redness of the skin, either everywhere or in a specific area;
• the appearance of a rash similar to urticaria;
• skin itching;
• peeling of the skin, mostly in the face area;
• sneezing attacks, allergic rhinitis;
• swelling of the eyelids and face;
• diarrhea;
• decreased appetite;
• vomiting and colicky pain in the abdomen.

Naturally, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of a person. Some people exhibit all the symptoms of allergic reactions, while others exhibit only some of them.

It would not be superfluous to warn parents of children under one year: such children should not be given cranberries in any form. It is necessary to wait until the child is one year old, and only then experiment with introducing cranberries into the diet.

Cranberry allergy in children

Cranberries are considered to be extremely useful for children from 2 years old. This berry promotes the formation of the child's skeletal and muscular system, strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of colds during the cold period. For example, cranberry compote potentiates the effect of antibiotics on pathogenic microflora. However, the first time cranberries should be given to a child with caution, carefully monitoring his condition so as not to miss the possible development of an allergy.

In older children, symptoms of cranberry allergy are no different from those of allergies that develop in adult patients.

If an allergy to cranberries appears in a breastfed baby, it may manifest itself in the following signs:

• the appearance of persistent diaper rash, even with constant hygiene procedures;
• redness of the skin near the anus and a feeling of itching in this area, especially immediately after feeding.

Skin rashes most often appear on the child's face, gradually spreading throughout the body. Symptoms of digestive disorders may gradually join in:

• regurgitation, nausea;
• bloating, intestinal colic;
• bowel disorders.

If the above symptoms appear, it is necessary to stop the allergen from entering the body, and the baby should be shown to a pediatrician.

Diagnosis of cranberry allergy

Diagnosis of cranberry allergy begins with an external examination and questioning of the patient, in particular, regarding his diet and heredity. Sometimes, under the guise of allergy, diseases of the digestive organs or worm infestations can manifest, so these diseases should be distinguished.

For differential diagnosis, smears may be taken for cytology, for example, nasal discharge, sputum, etc.

An important test is a skin test with a suspected food allergen (cranberry). This test is performed in the morning on an empty stomach: the patient ingests a small amount of cranberry, after which the doctor observes him for 24 hours. If such a test is negative, it can be repeated in 24 hours, with the use of a slightly larger amount of the allergen. If several such tests in a row show a negative result, the product is not considered an allergen for this organism.

Among the more accurate and informative studies of cranberry allergy are:

• radioallergosorbent test (RAST) – helps determine the level of specific antibodies to allergens;
• enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is one of the most popular immunological methods, it determines the humoral component of immunity;
• testing using CAP systems, MAST-CLA systems.

Cranberry Allergy Treatment

The main principle of treating cranberry allergy is to follow a diet, excluding the allergen product (cranberry) in any form from the diet. Adults should choose products of natural origin, excluding artificial additives (dyes, preservatives, stabilizers). It is recommended to offer breast milk to infants whenever possible and to the maximum extent possible, only replacing it with hypoallergenic porridge or formula as a last resort.

A nursing mother should also follow a hypoallergenic diet based on natural, freshly prepared food.

For acute symptoms of cranberry allergy, antihistamines are prescribed:

• Claritin – 10 mg once a day, for children up to 30 kg of weight – 5 mg per day;
• fexofenadine – 120 to 180 mg once a day, not used in children under 6 years of age;
• cetirizine – 10 mg once a day at night, for children – from 2.5 to 5 mg;
• Ebastine – 1 to 2 tablets once a day, for children – half a tablet (starting from 6 years of age).

It is possible to prescribe drugs such as Tavegil and Suprastin.

In the development of dyspeptic disorders, sorbent agents such as activated carbon or sorbex can be used. Children are recommended to use a drug with a milder effect - Smecta. Infants are recommended to use agents that restore intestinal microflora - these can be drugs such as enterosgel or lactofiltrum.

Of course, we should not forget that medications for allergies, especially in childhood, should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Cranberry Allergy Prevention

Prevention to prevent cranberry allergy should first of all be carried out by a woman during pregnancy and breastfeeding. At this time, all products that can provoke an allergy should be excluded from the diet.

• Breastfeeding should be continued for at least six months, and complementary foods should be introduced gradually and not earlier than 6 months. This will significantly reduce the risk of developing allergies in the baby.
• It is unacceptable to take medications without supervision and offer them to children.
• Any diseases of the digestive tract should be treated promptly, and the state of the immune system should be monitored.
• If you have a hereditary predisposition to allergic reactions, you must follow a hypoallergenic diet, excluding all potential allergenic foods.

There are also general measures to prevent allergies, which include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol. You should avoid stress and be selective in your diet: food should always be fresh, natural, without semi-finished products and preservatives.

And remember, if you eat all foods in moderation (including berries), then an allergy to cranberries is unlikely to bother you.