A red face and cheeks from a strawberry allergy may occur after you've eating strawberries or your face has come into direct contact with a strawberry. Strawberries are not considered a common food allergen and needs to be diagnosed by your doctor. If you develop swelling accompanying a red face and cheeks, you may be experiencing anaphylactic shock, a rare but potentially deadly condition. Avoid consuming and coming into contact with strawberries until you are able to see your doctor.
Strawberry Allergy
A strawberry allergy is a result of a malfunction of the immune system. After ingesting strawberries, your immune system reacts to the proteins in the fruit as if they were a harmful substance, according to MayoClinic.com. Your immune system begins to create immunoglobulin E antibodies, also called IgE antibodies. Antibodies help defend the body from viruses, bacteria and harmful fungi. The antibodies created during a strawberry allergy trigger mast cell production of histamine. The presence of histamine in soft tissue causes inflammation and swelling.
Allergic Contact Rashes
The redness on your face and cheeks is the result of increased blood flow from the presence of histamine in the skin. Histamine may cause your skin to itchy, sting, swell, blister and form bumpy patches. Allergic contact rashes develop quickly after skin-to-skin exposure to the strawberry, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Treating the allergic contact rash begins with avoiding the substance. If you accidentally touch a strawberry with your face, wash the face with soap and water, and apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling and itch.
Other Rashes
Symptoms aside from an allergic contact rash are a result of orally consuming the strawberry. The most common rashes from a food allergy are hives and eczema, according to MayoClinic.com. Hives commonly form on the face after eating a food you're allergic to in clusters that are reddish in color. Hives are clusters of welts that form with defined borders and are very itchy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Eczema is another common allergic rash that forms blisters that begin as small red dots and can become inflamed. Both conditions are prevented by avoiding the consumption of strawberries.
Treatment
Treat inflammation in your face from a strawberry allergy by taking an oral antihistamine, according to MayoClinic.com. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that the use of hydrocortisone or other steroid creams may help alleviate common allergic rashes on the face.
Member Comments