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Alan Khadavi, MD, APC
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April 11, 2023 by Alan Khadavi

Banana Allergy Can Come in Many Flavors

Banana allergy is not commonly reported, but it can cause adverse reactions.

Bananas are a fruit that grows in tropical regions of the world and are widely popular for their sweet taste, versatility, and numerous health benefits. They are long, curved fruits with a bright yellow skin that encases soft, creamy white flesh. Bananas are an excellent source of nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber.

One of the most notable benefits of bananas is their potassium content, which helps to regulate blood pressure and maintain a healthy heart. They also contain antioxidants, which protect the body against damage caused by harmful free radicals. Bananas are a great source of energy due to their high carbohydrate content, making them an ideal snack for athletes and anyone looking for a quick energy boost.

Bananas are also beneficial for digestive health. They contain a type of fiber called pectin, which helps to regulate bowel movements and promote healthy digestion. Additionally, bananas contain fructooligosaccharides, which are prebiotics that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Banana has been implicated in an array of adverse reactions, latex-fruit syndrome, oral allergy syndrome and anaphylaxis.

Types of Reactions to Banana:

  1. Latex-fruit syndrome-People allergic to latex may also have reactions to banana as their proteins are similar. Other foods in this category are cucumbers, kiwi, chestnuts and papaya. These reactions occur in 30-50% of people with latex allergy.
  2. Oral Allergy Syndrome-symptoms typically occur with mouth itching and swelling of lips and tongue.  Patients allergic to ragweed pollen can describe symptoms of oral allergy syndrome to banana.  This is not a true banana allergy, but a cross reactivity of the proteins to the ragweed pollen.  Treatment is heating the fruit or just avoiding it. Other foods in this category include cucumber, melons, sunflower seeds, zucchini
  3. Anaphylaxis-symptoms that occur are hives, swelling, wheezing, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea and low blood pressure.  This leads to IgE mast cell degranulation. Allergy skin testing, specific IgE lab testing and fresh food skin testing with banana all can be used to test for banana allergy.

Reactions to banana can thus come in different forms.  An allergy doctor can help decipher what type of reaction one is having to banana and to do the appropriate tests for establishing or ruling out a diagnosis of clinical allergy. If one is allergic to banana and not the latex/fruit or oral allergy form, an epinephrine autoinjector should be prescribed.

Cucumber Allergy can come in many flavors

Oral Allergy Syndrome

 

Filed Under: Blog, Food allergy

alan-khadavi
Dr. Alan Khadavi
Allergy & Asthma Specialist

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