Jicama Allergy

Jicama is a crispy, white, slightly sweet root vegetable that resembles a turnip. It is native to Mexico and Central America and part of the morning glory family. Jicama is sometimes tossed into salads, dips or added to stews. If you have a food allergy to jicama, do your best to stay away from it. Avoidance is the best strategy when it comes to food allergies. Generally, jicama is not a widely used ingredient in the U.S., which makes it easier to avoid.

Symptoms

When you have an allergic response to a food, such as jicama, your immune system triggers the release of histamine. Histamine causes the most common signs of an allergic reaction to jicama -- including swelling, itching, wheezing, rashes, runny nose, hives and watery eyes. A severe, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can sometimes occur, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical help if you or someone else is having trouble breathing.

Considerations

If you have an allergy to jicama, eating even the smallest amount of it can cause a reaction. Because the vegetable is often enjoyed in Mexican and Filipino cuisine, be cautious when eating at restaurants that serve these foods. Be careful when dining at Asian restaurants, too, as some may use jicama in place of the more expensive water chestnut. Allergies to certain foods affect about 6 to 8 percent of children under 5 years old and 3 to 4 percent of adults, according to MayoClinic.com.

Risk Factors

If you have a family history of asthma or allergies, you may be more likely to develop them. Children under 3 years of age are also more susceptible to developing allergies -- the most common of which are caused by milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soybeans and wheat. An allergy to a root vegetable, such as jicama, is less common, but it can occur.

Treatment Options

Consult an allergist if you think you have an allergy to jicama. The allergist can perform a scratch test to determine your sensitivity. If the test confirms a jicama allergy, seek advice from your doctor on how to manage it. He might suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine if your reaction is mild, or he might prescribe one for you. If your doctor believes you are at risk for a severe allergic reaction, he might recommend you carry an autoinjector, a small shot of medicine, usually epinephrine, that you will inject into your thigh at the first sign of a reaction.