Food allergies are the result of a hypersensitive immune system. In the case of food allergies, the immune system responds to chemicals in certain foods (such as citrus) and produces a chemical called histamine. Histamine then travels throughout the body and causes the symptoms of a food allergy. Allergies to citrus may go away over time, but there is no "cure" for a citrus allergy, aside from avoiding foods with citrus.
Mild Symptoms
Citrus allergies have mild symptoms that are fairly typical for most food allergies. The allergic reaction often begins with a runny nose or the appearance of hives on the skin. The tongue and lips may also tingle. Citrus allergies may also cause hoarseness of the voice and a "scratchy" or tight feeling in the throat. The allergic reaction may also affect the respiratory system, leading to wheezing and a cough. In some cases, a citrus allergy will also cause changes in the digestive tract, which can lead to nausea, stomach or abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Anaphylaxis
For most people, a citrus allergy will cause mostly minor symptoms that are more of an inconvenience than an actual medical emergency. Severe allergic reactions, however, can cause a condition called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a serious problem in which multiple parts of the body experience severe allergic symptoms. Anaphylaxis can involve the skin, the digestive tract, the heart, the lungs and blood vessels. During anaphylaxis, blood pressure can drop dramatically while the tongue swells and the airway constricts. This causes oxygen to become poorly distributed throughout the body. Anaphylaxis is a serious and life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention.
Symptom Onset
Different people with citrus allergies have different amounts of time between the time that they consume citrus and when symptoms begin. Early symptoms of a citrus allergy can occur anywhere between within seconds of citrus exposure and a few hours. This is because of differences in how long it takes for the citrus to be exposed to the immune system, as well as differences in how fast the immune system reacts. In general, anaphylaxis occurs almost immediately, as it represents a very strong and rapid immunological response.
