Cranberry Allergy

Cranberry berries are the most valuable and useful product. Cranberries are widely consumed in fresh form, as well as in the form of syrup, jam, marmalade, compote and other dishes. For example, the favorite delicacy of children is cranberries in sugar. The berries are added at the leaven of cabbage, at meat extinguishing, for preparation of sauces to a fish. The widespread use of berries, especially in children's nutrition, often pushes the question: is there an allergy to cranberries? Is it possible to eat cranberries in any quantity, or should you limit its use so as not to provoke the body's reaction?

Northern cranberries according to the degree of allergenicity belong to the second category of products. This means that an allergy to cranberries occurs, but rarely. Despite the fact that the berry has a rich red color and a sour taste.

 Indeed, the allergy to cranberries happens, although it is considered quite rare. Nevertheless, cranberry lovers will not stop learning about this more.

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Can cranberries cause allergies?

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

Most of the products that can cause allergies are products of protein origin, that is, milk, eggs, nuts, etc. Cranberry also refers to products of moderate allergenicity: it can cause allergy no more and no less than other berries or fruits.

However, the allergy to cranberries still happens, and this can not be ignored, especially if a person has already had reactions to any berries.

If you have never used cranberries before, do not rush to immediately eat a whole bowl. Try to start one berry, observe the reaction of the body throughout the day. And only after that, start increasing the amount of cranberry in the diet (within reason, of course).

The same applies to feeding cranberries to children. Offer to berry should be gradually, carefully watching the state of the baby. Up to a year and a half to give the child cranberries is not recommended.

Causes of Cranberry Allergy

All food products have inherent qualities about the possibility of causing an allergic reaction in humans. In this regard, experts identify three categories of products, depending on the degree of their allergenic activity:

• High - observed in chocolate, strawberries and all kinds of citrus.
• Average - seen in peaches, apricots, red currant and some other food products, for example, milk, eggs, oatmeal.
• Low - it is characterized by all the green fruits, vegetables and greens, as well as other types of products.

But it is not necessary to calm down on this, if there was a desire to use cranberries in the diet, especially in children. In any case, common sense is necessary. Therefore, adults need to know that to introduce any new food in the children's or adult menus should be in small doses, necessarily watching the reaction of the body to unfamiliar food. It is important to recall that you should not experiment with the body and introduce several new products right away. To then not to guess, and what caused the allergic reaction from all that set of "innovations" that so generously and suddenly was "happily" a person.

So, a child or an adult cranberry in small doses can be eaten for breakfast. Then during the day, parents need to observe the state of health and the reaction of the body to their children. Adult people themselves can quite follow themselves in order to detect any strange symptoms. So it is necessary to arrive within one day. And if everything is in order, then you can eat some more cranberries. Then again try to track allergic reactions in the body. In the case when everything is in order, no unexpected symptoms have appeared, you can calm down and introduce cranberries into a constant diet. Naturally in adequate quantities, so that a large volume of a new product does not cause a state of allergy.

What factors can cause allergies to cranberries:

• hereditary factor - if the parents of the child suffer from allergies, then with 40% probability the baby will also develop an allergy;
• strengthened permeability of the mucosa of the digestive tract;
• weak immune defense, intestinal dysbiosis;
• abuse of cranberry dishes.

Often an allergy in a child occurs if the mother at the time of pregnancy or breastfeeding consumed a lot of cranberry berries. Hypersensitivity in childhood can develop due to an inadequate period of breastfeeding, which negatively affects the immune system of the baby.

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Symptoms of Cranberry Allergy

If an adult or child has any signs of an allergy, then the cranberry should not be used for food, even if it is very useful.

Clinical symptoms of cranberry allergy occur within a short time - from 15-20 minutes to 20 hours, regardless of age. However, in childhood, symptoms can be more pronounced, which is due to the weakness of the body and the lack of immune protection of the child.

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

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

Naturally, one must take into account the individual characteristics of a person. Some people show all the symptoms of allergic reactions, and someone - only some of them.

It is not superfluous to warn parents of kids for up to a year: such babies should not give cranberries in any form. It is necessary to wait, when the child turns one year old, and only then to experiment with introduction of a cranberry in a food allowance.

Cranberry allergy in children

Cranberries are considered extremely useful for children from 2 years old. This berry contributes to the formation of the bone and muscle system of the child, strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of colds in the cold period. For example, cranberry compote potentiates the effect of antibiotics on the pathogenic microflora. However, the first time that cranberries should be given to a child with caution, carefully watching its condition, so as not to miss the possible development of allergies.

In older children, the symptoms of cranberry allergy do not differ from the signs of allergy that develop in adult patients.

If an allergy to cranberries has appeared in an infant, then it can manifest itself following signs:

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

Skin eruptions most often appear on the face of the child, gradually spreading throughout the body. Gradually, the symptoms of digestive disorders can also be added:

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

When these symptoms occur, you must stop the allergen intake into the body, and the baby should be shown to the pediatrician.

Diagnosis of Cranberry Allergy

Diagnosis of cranberry allergy begins with an external examination and a patient's interview, in particular, about his nutrition and heredity. Sometimes under the guise of allergies, diseases of the digestive organs or worm infections can manifest, so these diseases should be distinguished.

For differential diagnosis, you can take smears for cytology, for example, discharge from the nose, sputum, etc.

An important test is a skin test with an alleged food allergen (cranberry). This test is conducted in the morning on an empty stomach: the patient uses a small amount of cranberries inside, after which the doctor watches him for 24 hours. If such a test is negative, then it can be repeated again in a day, with a little more allergen. If several such tests in a row showed a negative result, then the product is not recognized as allergenic for the organism.

Among more accurate and informative studies of cranberry allergies can be called:

• radioallergosorbent test (RAST) - helps to determine the level of specific antibodies to allergens;
• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) - one of the most popular immunological methods, determines the humoral link of immunity;
• testing using CAP-systems, MAST-CLA-systems.

Treatment of allergies to cranberries

The main principle of treating cranberry allergy is compliance with a diet, with the exception of the product-allergen (cranberry) in any form. Adults should choose products of natural origin, with the exception of artificial additives (dyes, preservatives, stabilizers). Infants are advised to offer mother milk as far as possible and to the maximum, only in extreme cases, replacing it with a hypoallergenic cereal or mixture.

Nursing mother should also observe a hypoallergenic diet based on natural freshly prepared food.

With acute symptoms of cranberry allergy, antihistamines are prescribed:

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

It is possible to prescribe such drugs as tavegil and suprastin.

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

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

Prevention of Cranberry Allergy

Preventive maintenance for the prevention of an allergy on a cranberry first of all should be spent by the woman during pregnancy and thoracal feeding. At this time, it is necessary to exclude from the diet all foods that can provoke an allergy.

• Breastfeeding should be continued for at least six months, and the lure should be introduced gradually and not earlier than 6 months. This will significantly reduce the risk of allergies in the baby.
• It is unacceptable to take uncontrolled medicines and offer them to children.
• It should be timely to treat any diseases of the digestive tract, as well as monitor the state of immunity.
• If there is a hereditary predisposition to allergic reactions, it is necessary to observe a hypoallergenic diet with the exception of all potential allergen products.

There are also general measures to prevent allergies, which consist in the observance of a healthy lifestyle, the refusal to smoke and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Stress and be selective in nutrition should be avoided: food should always be fresh, natural, without semi-finished products and preserving agents.

And remember, if you use all the products in moderation (including berries), the allergy to cranberries is unlikely to bother you.