Allergic reactions are intolerance to certain types of foods by the body. The disease can begin to bother both from childhood and at a more mature age - at 30, 40 or even 50 years old.
Any product can provoke it. Very often there is a reaction to the use of citrus fruits and other fruits. At the same time, the causes of allergies, as well as its symptoms, may differ in adults and children.
Causes of Citrus Allergy in Children
Any allergy develops due to certain failures in the human immune system, as a result of which inflammatory mediators begin to be produced. In the case of citrus fruits, the situation is aggravated by the presence of salicylates, benzoates, amines in them, as they contribute to the release of histamine, which provokes the body's reaction.
Allergy to citrus fruits in children may be in case of:
- Heredity. In this case, the citrus allergy is passed on to the baby before birth.
- Failures in the functioning of the immune system. As a result of these failures, the bodyreacts incorrectly to the protein of the food being consumed (antigen) and an allergic reaction occurs.
- Eating a large number of fruits in a short period of time.
Usually, an allergy to citrus fruits is combined with an intolerance to one or more other types of foods.
Causes of Citrus Allergy in Adults
Citrus allergies in adults are usually related to other causes. Often, intolerance to these fruits is associated with diseases of the stomach, liver, or dysbacteriosis.
The only thing that can provoke an allergy in both a child and an adult is an overdose of citrus fruits. Therefore, it is worth eating them within reason.
Citrus Allergy: Symptoms in Children
In childhood, allergies in most cases occur due to food intolerance to certain foods. In this case, a combination of the following symptoms can be observed (all or several at once):
- The appearance of a rash on the face or body. It can be in the form of small dots or spots.
- Diathesis. It manifests itself in the form of a strong reddening of the cheeks (in some cases, the chin).
- Sneezing and mucous discharge.
- Red eyes.
- Pain syndrome.
- Severe itching on the skin.
- The appearance of a dry cough, which is in the nature of attacks.
In more complex cases, flatulence, colic in the abdomen, vomiting ordiarrhea, lack of appetite.
In order not to aggravate the situation even more, you need to immediately exclude from the diet the product that caused the allergic reaction.
How adults are allergic to citrus fruits
Allergies can occur not only while eating citrus fruits, but also while inhaling their smell. Fetal enzymes settle on the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth and cause irritation, which manifests itself in the form of a dry cough or sneezing.
Allergy to citrus fruits on the face can occur in people suffering from contact dermatitis. This occurs as a result of the fetus coming into contact with the skin or during the use of natural cosmetics with citrus extracts.
In most cases, citrus allergies in adults manifest as conjunctivitis or coryza.
If the allergy was triggered by malfunctions in the digestive system, then reactions on the skin in the form of a rash and severe itching can also be observed.
If an allergic reaction causes an attack of suffocation, dizziness, swelling in the face, severe weakness, you must immediately call an ambulance!
Citrus Allergy Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the collected history, laboratory tests and clinical picture.
There is definitely a relationship between eating a possible allergen (in this case, citrus fruits) and the occurrence of allergic reactions. In addition, skin samples are taken, whichcompared with the enzymes in orange, tangerine and lemon to make sure that you are allergic to these foods and not to any other foods.
Allergies during pregnancy
Any allergy in pregnant women requires special attention and treatment. During this period, self-medication with both medication and folk remedies is strictly prohibited! Only an experienced doctor will be able to prescribe antihistamines that will help the expectant mother and not harm her baby.
At the same time, one should not forget about an important fact: excessive consumption of citrus fruits during pregnancy can later cause allergic reactions to them in a child. This does not mean at all that you need to abandon this product. Just use it in moderation - no more than two fruits at a time.
Citrus allergy medication
Before you start treating an allergy, it is worth eliminating the product that provoked its appearance. At the same time, it is important not only not to eat it, but also to completely remove it from the house, since allergic reactions can occur not only as a result of eating, but also during the inhalation of the aroma of the fruit (this was already mentioned above).
After that, you need to see a doctor who will confirm that it is really an allergy to citrus fruits. Treatment is with the following medications:
1. Antihistamines.
Most often drugs based on cromoglycic acid ("Kromoglin", "Narkon") are prescribed. In addition, popularanti-allergy drugs like Zyrtec, Claritin, Kestin.
The course of therapy with these funds can be up to three months.
2. Enterosorbents.
Their intake is mandatory in case of allergies against the background of disorders of the digestive system. The drugs will help to quickly remove toxins from the body and reduce the inflammatory response.
The most famous and inexpensive sorbents: activated carbon and Smecta.
3. Ointments.
Medicinal ointments and creams help relieve skin irritation, reduce itching and redness, and have a healing effect.
Most often prescribed "Celestoderm" or "Elocom".
4. Hormonal remedies.
They are used only on doctor's orders and in exceptional cases. This applies to situations where antihistamines did not bring any effect at all.
The course of treatment with hormonal drugs is the most minimal.
In addition to the main means to eliminate allergic reactions, an additional course is being carried out to correct the body's immune response with the help of immunomodulators and vitamins.
Folk remedies for allergies
The main treatment of allergies should be with medication and with the complete exclusion of the irritant. At the same time, there are folk remedies that will help you quickly get rid of the accompanying signs of the disease and strengthen the immune system as a whole.
1. Japanese honeysuckle.
For treatment, a decoction of the plant is brewed. It must be taken as a course.
2. Nettle.
A spoonful of nettle should be poured with a glass of boiled water and infused for one hour. The resulting broth must be drunk throughout the day. It helps purify the blood, reduce skin rashes and strengthen the immune system.
3. Honey, propolis.
Citrus allergies are often treated with bee products. But in this situation, it is important to consider that they are also strong allergens, so during treatment it is important to carefully monitor changes in well-being.
4. Mumiyo.
One gram of mumiyo must be diluted in a liter of water and the resulting solution should be drunk within one day. A maximum of two glasses per day will suffice for children.
This therapy takes one month.
Treating allergies with folk remedies often takes a long time. Therefore, between courses of infusions and decoctions of herbs, it is important not to forget to take at least minimal breaks of 1-2 weeks.
Usually, the allergy completely disappears in the absence of contact with citrus fruits for 6 months. You can check this by eating a few slices of the fruit. As a rule, allergy symptoms no longer occur. It remains only in the future to monitor the amount of product used.
If the allergy returned, this indicates some hidden problems of the body, so a full examination is necessary to identify them.
