More and more hay fever subscribers are developing food allergies. After a banal meal, some have nausea, others throat prick or lips that swell without any pollen came to tickle their nose. Their reaction can be severe, even in the face of a food with which they have never been in contact before. Yet, in theory, an allergy occurs only when the body has already been sensitized at least once to an allergen.
Explanation: "These patients are victims of cross-allergies, says Professor Frédéric de Blay, head of the unit of allergology and thoracic pathology at Strasbourg University Hospital. Some foods in fact have allergens whose biochemical structure is very close to that of pollens. As a result, the immune system confuses them and triggers the same symptoms towards each other.
Pollen allergies, the first victims of cross-allergies
Half of allergic to pollen are thus likely to become allergic to fruits and vegetables due to the mimicry of their allergens. Topics sensitive to ragweed pollen may suddenly become allergic to banana, melon, watermelon or cucumber.
Those susceptible to mugwort pollen are prone to violent reactions after swallowing carrot, pepper, dill, parsley, fennel, cumin, pepper or coriander.
Even more surprising: allergic to grass pollen can react to tomatoes and peanuts.
The least spoiled are allergic to birch pollen . 50% to 70% of them may one day be allergic to apple, pear, peach, apricot, cherry, plum, nectarine, strawberry, raspberry, hazelnut, celery or fennel, according to a study by the Canadian medical association journal. In times of strong pollination, it is better to avoid fruit salads so as not to multiply the risks.
Allergic to cats? Beware of intolerance to pork!
Feline hairs contain twin allergens with pork, and especially kidneys. Cat allergic can suddenly have problems eating a chop.
Similarly, it is not uncommon for owners of domestic birds to trigger an egg allergy.
Cross sensitization between mites, molluscs and crustaceans is more troublesome, as half of allergic people do not support these tiny arachnids that swarm in our homes. One gram of dust can contain up to 10,000. About 10% of allergy sufferers may swell without warning after ingesting shrimps or snails.
More importantly, several latex-allergenic proteins are found in chestnut, banana, avocado, kiwi, fig, lemon, rye, buckwheat and lettuce. "Any allergy to any of these foods should lead to an allergist to detect a possible cross sensitization with latex," advises Professor de Blay. Important for medical personnel especially or for surgery.
