Fruit is often one of the first types of foods introduced to children in mashed form when transitioning a child from formula to regular foods. Unfortunately, many children have allergies to different types of fruit which can cause potentially serious complications. Understanding the symptoms of an allergy and the treatment options available can help protect your child from having a reaction to the foods you feed him.
Cause of Allergy
Typically your child's immune system is set up to fight off potentially harmful microorganisms, like irritants, bacteria or viruses. However, some children develop an immune response to substances that are not harmful, such as fruit. In this case, when fruit is introduced to the body, whether through eating or even just touching the fruit, an immune response can be triggered. Children with fruit allergies develop a substance called IgE antibodies, specific to the fruit that triggers the allergic reaction. The IgE antibodies work with cells called mast cells, which produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction whenever the IgE antibodies sense contact with the fruit in the future.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a fruit allergy can vary widely depending on how severely the body views the allergen. A mild allergic reaction may include itching, mild swelling, nasal congestion, nausea or tingling in the mouth. More severe reactions may include difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat, hives, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness or fainting. In severe cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis may develop with tightening of the airways, a rapid heartbeat, severe drop in blood pressure, and shock. Any severe reactions, or reactions you are unsure of merit an immediate call to your doctor or with anaphylaxis, an emergency call to 9-1-1.
Testing
Some symptoms of a fruit allergy are similar to other health problems, or may actually be to an environmental allergen like pollen or dust. As such, if you expect an allergy, it's important to talk to your doctor or an allergen specialist for testing. Doctors can perform tests like a skin test to better determine what exactly your child is allergic to, so you can better develop a plan of action to prevent a serious allergic reaction in the future.
Treatment
When it comes to fruit allergies, there are no specific treatments for children to prevent or cure the allergy, other than avoiding the specific fruit in your child's diet. If a serious reaction occurs with exposure to fruit, it's important to inform caretakers of your child about the allergy, as well as take steps to prevent anaphylaxis, such as carrying around an epinephrine injector, often referred to as an EpiPen.
