Pear allergies may hide among other suspected causes when patients show short-term allergy symptoms. These usually benign fruits cause relatively few allergic reactions, even in comparison to apples and quinces, to which they are related, and so, patients and doctors may rule out other allergenic foods first. Additionally, an allergy to pears displays the same health symptoms as allergies to other foods, even those as vastly different as meats and cheese.
Function
During an allergic reaction to pears, the human body mistakenly responds to allergenic pear proteins as if it has encountered foreign invaders, such as infectious fungi or bacteria. As the University of Maryland (UM) Medical Center explains, antibodies and histamines automatically enter the bloodstream to fight off these invaders.
Histamine chemicals start a chain of metabolic events, including the inflammatory response, that result in common pear allergy symptoms. Less-common anaphylactic events occur when respiratory and cardiovascular effects involve the entire body.
Common Effects
Shortly after eating pears, the UM Medical Center reports, minor allergy symptoms such as tingling or itching in the lips, tongue and throat will begin. Eyes may itch and water, and hives may appear in patches on skin.
Respiratory trouble often develops, including throat swelling, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and congestion. Digestive symptoms may not arise until queasiness, abdominal pain, intestinal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting.
Warning
A rare anaphylactic allergic reaction to pears makes serious changes in body function that threaten homeostasis. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend calling 9-1-1 right away in the event of low blood pressure or respiratory obstruction.
Patients may have a rapid or abnormal pulse and display confusion or anxiety. They may have trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing without wheezing. The amount of pears ingested does not correlate to the degree of allergy symptoms. Eating even microscopic portions of is enough to affect people with pear allergies.
Anaphylactic Effects
Swelling in the airways can severely restrict oxygen intake, and a sharp reduction in blood pressure can limit blood oxygen transport. The result, anaphylactic shock, causes patients to feel light-headed and weak, followed by a loss of consciousness.
Disturbances in breathing and blood flow can lead to respiratory and heart failure, and death. According to the NIH, although anaphylaxis is rare, people with pear allergies risk this type of reaction whenever they ingest pear proteins.
Prevention
Because most allergic sensitivities persist for a lifetime, preserving long-term health may depend upon identifying and addressing problem foods. The UM Medical Center notes that patients must "treat" an allergy to pears by eliminating the fruit from their diets. No other method will prevent the antibody response that triggers allergic reactions to pears.
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