If adverse reactions develop after you eat or touch tomatoes, you may have an allergy to the vegetable. Food allergies affects about between 4 and 8 percent of children and 2 percent of the adult American population, according the University of Maryland Medical Center. Most tomato allergy symptoms are mild, but in some cases a tomato allergy may lead to life-threatening symptoms. Consult with your doctor about your symptoms and how to effectively treat them.
Cause
Although tomatoes are safe for human consumption, if you’re allergic to certain substances found in tomatoes, you may develop a wide range of reactions after eating or touching tomatoes. Immune system cells are intended to identify substances that enter the body that could potentially pose a threat, such as viruses and bacteria. If your immune system cells mistake a harmless substance as dangerous, such as the proteins found in tomatoes, you will experience an allergic reaction. The immune system cells communicate with white blood cells about the presence of a harmful substance, which results in the creation of antibodies, histamine and other disease-fighting chemicals.
Symptoms
Most tomato allergy symptoms develop within a few minutes after eating a tomato. Most symptoms are the result of increased levels of histamine released throughout the body. Histamine causes inflammation and irritation in soft tissues, which can lead to sinus congestion, lung swelling and inflammation in the digestive system and the skin. Common symptoms include hives, eczema, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, cramping, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, headaches and light-headedness. If you develop facial swelling, inability to breathe and mental confusion, call 911 because you may be having a severe allergic reaction that could lead to death.
Contact Allergy
Some people with a tomato allergy experience skin reactions from touching tomatoes. This condition is called allergic contact dermatitis, which causes redness, itching, irritation and blisters. Allergic contact dermatitis is a localized allergic reaction, which means it will not affect any other area of the body aside from the portion of skin exposed to tomato. This type of allergic reaction may be treated with washing the affected area and applying an anti-itch cream.
Treatment
The only way to prevent and treat a tomato allergy is to avoid all foods and beverages that contain tomatoes. Avoid pasta sauces, salad dressings and salsa. Read the ingredients of all foods and beverages before consuming. A small amount of tomato can trigger an allergic reaction throughout your body.
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