Banana Allergies, Bowel Problems & Purpura

Rashes and bruises can indicate a number of medical problems and can often be confused for a condition known as purpura. While purpura can be caused by a number of things, one type of purpura causes bowel problems. This may be misdiagnosed as a banana allergy due to the similarity of symptoms, so always consult your physician if you have a severe rash or bruising on your skin.

About Purpura

Purpura is a condition that resembles bruises, except that they occur over a longer time. Purpura presents as purple spots or patches beneath the skin, but it can also occur on the inside of your mouth and on organs, although this is harder to detect. This condition can develop if you have a low platelet count, but it can also happen if you have a normal platelet count and fragile blood vessels or a blood clotting disorder.

Purpura and Bowel Problems

One type of purpura is known as Henoch-Schonlein purpura, which is triggered by an abnormal immune response. In addition to the usual purple blotches on your skin and organs, this form of purpura causes a range of bowel problems, including abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and bloody stools. There is no treatment for this disease; the PubMed Health website notes that most cases go away on their own, but Henoch-Schonlein purpura may result in internal bleeding and kidney problems.

Bananas and Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Despite there being no treatment for Henock-Schonlein purpura, bland foods such as bananas are often recommended to lessen abdominal pain. If you suffer from a latex allergy, however, bananas are not recommended. An article in the January 1998 issue of "American Family Physician" says that a latex allergy is likely to mean you are also allergic to bananas -- this allergic reaction can result in further gastrointestinal upset and a rash that mimics purpura.

Allergy and Purpura Statistics

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network reports that as many as 15 million people suffer from food allergies, banana allergies among them, and that the number of people with food allergies grows every year. Henoch-Schonlein purpura generally occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 11, most often in boys, although anyone may have it.