Allergy to mandarins

Allergy to mandarins is one of the variants of a food allergic reaction or a false allergy. Before you identify the danger that allergy to mandarins can bear, it is necessary in fairness to note the indisputable benefit of these fragrant and delicious fruits.

In the pulp of mandarin contains a huge amount of useful microelements and vitamins, especially a lot of B vitamins, and quite rare. Among them, the most valuable are the following substances:

• Vitamins of group B - B9, B6, B2, B3, B5, B1 (thiamine), B4 (choline), B8 (inositol).
• Vitamin C.
• Vitamin A.
• Vitamin R is a rutin.
• Phytoncides.
• Sodium, potassium, magnesium, fluorine, calcium, iron.
• Proteins, carbohydrates, fats - in small quantities.
• Essential oils.
• Carotene and other pigments.

Due to the fact that 100 grams of tangerines contain only 50-52 kcal, they are an excellent dietary product for those who want to lose weight.

Phytoncides, which are part of the fetus, can produce effective antimicrobial effect, especially with external application of the peel, juice helps with an unproductive cough, the decoction of the rind can reduce high blood sugar and stop diarrhea. It would seem that there is no price for tangerines, but such a high concentration of nutrients is a provoker not only of an allergic reaction, but also an aggravation of gastric ulcer and inflammation of the urinary system. In addition, mandarins contain an analog of aspirin - salicylates, which, if overdosed, can cause a strong intoxication of the body. It is believed that salicylates are the main provoking substance that causes food allergy.

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Why does the allergy to mandarins develop?

To date, there are no reliable, statistically confirmed data on the true cause of the allergic reaction to mandarins in principle. It is believed that the allergy to mandarins refers to the food type of allergy, that is, to idiosyncrasy - the intolerance of a certain product. However, studies by British allergists show that the most often provocateur is not so much the product itself, as the amount of a dose or dose that people eat. In addition, most allergy sufferers suffering from intolerance to mandarin, found an allergy to aspirin and all its species variants, that is, salicylates. Salicylic acid is present in varying amounts not only in oranges, tangerines or lemons, it is found in the peel of potatoes, in tomatoes, in sweet Bulgarian pepper, in some berries, in peaches and medicinal herbs. Allergy to aspirin is not considered a true allergy, because the immune system does not participate in the reaction. Salicylic acid, entering the gastrointestinal tract, comes into direct contact with the mast cells that are already present in the body. Thus, salicylates are not provocative for the formation of mast cells and labrocytes (mast cells), they only activate the allergic reaction, but without the participation of antibodies of IgE class. This is proved by numerous laboratory studies confirming the fact that salicylates have too little molecular mass and can not be true antigens. A small amount of tangerines eaten, for example, one, may not cause an allergy, but if there are more of them, even if the organism is allergic, the allergy is almost inevitable. Also it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of transportation of these exotic fruits, most likely subjected to special treatment. Any stabilizing chemical that, on the one hand, helps to "get" tangerines to the shelves in a marketable form, on the other hand, can provoke a strong allergic reaction.

Symptoms of allergy to mandarins

The main signs of intolerance to citrus fruits are also characteristic for allergy to mandarins. Among the most characteristic symptoms are the following:

• Shortness of breath, shortness of breath, asthmatic attacks right up to choking.
• Sudden headache.
• Allergic rhinitis.
• Urticaria, including generalized right up to the swelling of Quincke.
• Severe itching.
• Sudden pains in the abdomen.
• Swelling of the face, limbs.
• Skin pigmentation.

Most often clinically obvious symptoms of nutritional (food) allergy are enterocolitis, the second on the list are dermatitis, in third place - allergic symptoms from the respiratory system - shortness of breath or choking.

The most dangerous consequence of allergy to mandarins, including mandarins, is anaphylactic shock, in which the symptoms develop rapidly. This is why, at the first manifestations of intolerance to mandarins, you should immediately take an antihistamine, activated charcoal or another sorbent, and consult a doctor to avoid the menacing development of symptoms.

Treatment of allergy to mandarins

Allergy to mandarins, to any other food product, initially requires immediate elimination of the provoking substance. It is necessary to completely exclude from the diet not only mandarins, but also all citrus fruits, as well as foods in which salicylic acid can be contained. In addition, any cosmetics, creams, perfumes and household chemicals in which citrus essential oil is present, should be immediately eliminated, since allergy sufferers even the smell of orange or mandarin can cause an allergic reaction. The main therapeutic actions are conventionally divided into two stages:

1. Symptomatic treatment that helps to cope with discomforting allergic manifestations - rash, itching, colitis, dyspnea. Treatment involves the administration of antihistamines of the latest generation, which have virtually no side effects and do not cause drowsiness. Also, glucocorticosteroids can be prescribed that neutralize allergy manifestations in more severe cases (Quincke's edema).
2. Hypoallergenic diet, which involves eliminating not only mandarin, but also other provocative products - honey, nuts, eggs, chocolate. As a rule, during the diet, reception of enterosorbents helps to reduce the load on the digestive tract and remove toxins from the body (toxic derivatives of metabolism).

Allergy to mandarins does not involve carrying out hyposensitizing immunotherapy, since this method is only indicated for true allergies. Food intolerance is rather successfully supervised by refusing a provocative product, sometimes this elimination lasts for a certain period, for example, six months or a year. After that, a person is quite capable of eating tangerines, but already in a strict dosage, that is, without overeating them. However, with a stable idiosyncrasy, it is possible and a complete refusal to use citrus in principle. This is not a big loss for the diet, as it is possible to replenish all the useful substances contained in mandarins with the help of other, equally tasty and safe fruits.