Puffy eyes and redness are not common symptoms of a food allergy. Allergic reactions that cause puffy eyes and redness are related to airborne allergic reactions, such as pollen allergies. If you have hay fever, or seasonal allergies, you may notice that after eating certain fruits, vegetables and nuts, your eyes turn red and become puffy. This condition is called pollen-food allergy syndrome and is the result of cross-reactivity between certain pollens and foods, according to MayoClinic.com. Talk with your doctor for a clinical diagnosis.
Cause
Some proteins in fruits, vegetables and nuts can trigger pollen-related allergy symptoms, such as puffy eyes and redness. While most symptoms related to pollen-food allergy syndrome cause itching and irritation in the mouth and throat, the reaction may trigger other common symptoms. The immune system reacts to the proteins in the food as if they were pollen, releasing immunoglobulin E antibodies and histamine. Histamine is the chemical responsible for swelling and redness in the eyes. Histamine is created in soft tissues by mast cells and causes irritation and swelling. Symptoms are typically worse in the spring and summer months because of increased pollen in the air, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Fruits
The most common fruits that can trigger pollen-food allergy syndrome include bananas, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, apples, peaches, pears, cherries, plums, prunes, kiwi and apricots if you're allergic to ragweed or birch pollen. If you are allergic to grass mugword or alder pollen you may develop puffy eyes and redness after consuming peaches, melons, oranges or pears. If you suffer from a latex allergy, avoid eating bananas, papaya and kiwi fruit. According to Dr. David L. Katz, cooking the fruit before consuming it may reduce your symptoms because cooking the food will change the protein structure.
Vegetables and Nuts
Vegetables and nuts that may cause your eyes to swell and become irritated include zucchini, cucumbers, potatoes, celery, peppers, parsley, parsnips, tomatoes, carrots, coriander, sunflower, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Keep a record of which vegetables and nuts trigger your symptoms and discuss it with your doctor.
Concern
If you notice that other parts of your face become swollen along with a rash and chest tightness, you need to call 911. You may be experiencing anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that could lead to death if not properly treated. A severe allergic reaction is treated with an injection of epinephrine.
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