If you're on a fruit diet and you continually develop skin rashes, discontinue the diet and call your doctor. Skin rashes from eating food are commonly a sign of an allergic reaction. Food allergies can cause minor to severe symptoms that could lead to life-threatening complications. Another possible cause of skin rashes from eating fruit is oral allergy syndrome, a condition where your body confuses the proteins in fruit for pollen. A skin rash may also develop with certain fruits when they come into direct contact with your skin. This condition is called allergic contact dermatitis. Your doctor will be able to provide you with a clinical diagnosis.
Allergic Reaction
You can have an allergic reaction to any food you eat, but some fruits are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, pineapple, melon, strawberries and other tropical fruits are known to cause food allergies. If you're allergic to a specific fruit, you will develop a rash within an hour. Hives are one of the most common rashes associated with a food allergy and may be a sign of anaphylaxis, a reaction that affects your entire body and could lead to death. An allergic reaction may cause other symptoms, such as asthma, stomach complications and nasal congestion.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Oral allergy syndrome typically causes localized itching in or around the mouth and throat. In some cases, this type of reaction can lead to the development of skin irritation and a minor rash. Oral allergy syndrome occurs when you are allergic to pollen and you eat fresh fruit that triggers an allergic reaction in your mouth, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The cross-reactivity of the fruit proteins with certain pollen causes the release of histamine in the mouth and throat, which can lead to a rash.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is a condition where you develop a topical allergy when you touch a substance that triggers an allergic reaction. Strawberries, pineapple and citrus fruits can cause this condition to flare up. Allergic contact dermatitis will cause a rash to develop only in the areas where your skin has come into direct contact with the fruit. The rash forms small bumps that are red and itchy.
Consideration
Any diet you participate in needs to be evaluated by your doctor. The most effective way to diagnose the cause of the rash is to participate in allergy testing. Using your skin and a sample of your blood, an allergist can determine which substances cause your body to react with an allergy.
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