Apples are the most affordable source of vitamins and minerals. They are sold all year round in grocery stores, and their cost does not greatly affect the family budget. However, the life of any person can be overshadowed by allergies. Red apples are most often the cause of the disease. From this article you will find out what symptoms it is accompanied by, and whether it is possible to get rid of it forever.
Benefits of apples
All fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Fiber is also an integral part of them. Among the variety of delicious delicacies, apples are the most popular. They are considered an indispensable product in the human diet. Why?
- High vitamin C content has a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system.
- Potassium contributes to the normalization of the endocrine glands, nutrition of the heart muscle.
- A large amount of phosphorus allows calcium to be better absorbed.
- Sodium stabilizes blood pressure, causing it toaverage.
Regular consumption of apples has a positive effect on the digestive system. The components contained in them stimulate the production of gastric juice, improving appetite. Unfortunately, the presence of this product in the diet is not always associated with he alth benefits. Many people are allergic to apples.
Main causes of illness
Apples contain a special protein Mal d1. It is he who most often becomes the culprit of an allergic reaction. The amount of this substance in fruits depends on the shelf life. It is also necessary to know that the content of Mal d1 in the peel is significantly higher than in the pulp. The protein is characterized by sensitivity to high temperatures. When heated, its concentration decreases. It is enough to make apple puree, bake a pie or make a soufflé to make the fruit suitable for allergy sufferers.
No less common cause of the disease is hereditary predisposition. If mom or dad is allergic to apples, there is a 50% chance that the problem will recur in the child. When both parents suffer from the manifestations of pathology, the likelihood of its occurrence increases to 90%.
The most serious forms of apple allergy are caused by chemicals that are used to treat fruits to make them marketable. Small farms use substances that are easily washed off under a stream of warm water. On an industrial scale, fruits are treated with diphenyl (E230). This food preservative prevents the growth of fungi, bacteria andmold. Diphenyl is soluble in benzene and alcohol, but not in water. Its use is allowed on the territory of Russia, Belarus and in the EU countries.
Does color and grade matter?
Scientists have repeatedly attempted to develop hypoallergenic varieties of apples. The experiments were based on the information that different types of fruits contain different amounts of Mal d1 protein. Studies by scientists from Switzerland have shown that the following varieties have the greatest allergic potential:
- Granny Smith.
- Coke Orange Pepin.
- Golden Delicious.
Among the hypoallergenic varieties of fruit crops can be identified:
- Gloucester.
- Prima.
- Honey Crisp.
- Mantet.
What do experts say about fruit color? Does it affect the severity of the reaction of the body? Allergy most often occurs on coloring pigments. They are found not only in the peel, but also in the pulp of the fruit. Therefore, doctors recommend using green apples in the diet. They are considered the safest option for allergy sufferers. They have less sugar, but more vitamins and minerals. However, an allergy to green apples is also possible.
Recognize the problem yourself
Hypersensitivity of the immune system can manifest itself in different ways. The main symptoms of the disorder appear in the first few hours after eating fresh fruit. Rashes in the mouth areacavities accompanied by severe itching may indicate the onset of an allergic reaction. There are also other symptoms of intolerance to sweet treats:
- On the part of the respiratory system: discharge from the nasal passages, nasal congestion, inflammation of the tissues of the mucous membranes, cough.
- From the digestive tract: vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the epigastric region.
- Skin manifestations: redness, soreness and swelling of certain parts of the body.
Apple allergy is a serious disorder that can only be confirmed by skin testing. Based on the test results, the doctor discusses possible treatment options with the patient.
Features of the manifestation of the disease in children
In babies, the first symptom of apple allergy is a rash all over the body. In addition, the body may react with diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Pediatricians explain this clinical picture by the imperfection of the digestive tract and the deficiency of certain enzymes. However, cases of individual intolerance to the product should not be excluded.
Babies who are given apples as first complementary foods usually react to fruit with diathesis. Almost always, the pathology is accompanied by loose stools and severe flatulence. You should not be afraid of such symptoms, but it is better not to rush with complementary foods. Pediatricians advise trying again in a few months.
Allergy to apples in children is practically no different from the disorder in adults. The only difference is that the child can “outgrow” the disease and get rid of its symptoms without the help of drugs. The first signs of intolerance usually force parents to eliminate the sweet treat from their child's diet. However, you should not give it up for life.
Can I be allergic to apples during pregnancy?
After the conception of a child, a woman's body begins to change. New taste preferences appear, and once-favorite foods can be disgusting. If a pregnant woman has discovered an intolerance to apples that she used to eat in large quantities, you should not be afraid. Doctors explain such a reaction of the body by a change in the hormonal and immune status.
What to do when the first symptoms of the disorder appear? It is necessary to tell the obstetrician-gynecologist who observes the pregnancy about this. For some time it is better to exclude apples from the diet. With the right approach and following the recommendations of doctors, an allergic reaction should affect the he alth of the baby, as well as the well-being of the woman in the future.
Methods for treating allergies
When the first symptoms of intolerance appear in a child, it is necessary to contact an immunologist or a pediatrician, and also exclude apples from the diet. Depending on the manifestations and severity of the disease, the doctor will prescribe medication. The standard course of therapy includes the use of the following drugs:
- Histamine blockers ("Claritin", "Suprastin"). Help relieve allergy symptoms, improve he alth. Drugs are prescribed individually. They are sold in the form of syrup, spray, gel or tablets. In the absence of positive dynamics, it is urgent to replace the medicine.
- Corticosteroids. Used to facilitate breathing processes.
- Homeopathic remedies. Appointed in the case of an accurate determination of the source of the allergy, require long-term use.
To cleanse the blood, a doctor sometimes prescribes a procedure called plasmapheresis. With this approach, the positive effect of the treatment can be maintained for several months. In rare cases, immune therapy is prescribed, in which an allergen is introduced into the human body in gradually increasing doses. As a result, strong immunity is developed. The duration of treatment is 3-4 years.
Helping alternative medicine
What else can you do if your apple allergy gets worse? Symptoms of the disorder can be quickly removed with the help of folk remedies, such as honey. Healers advise adding caps from honeycombs to tea or milk. Improvement is observed within a month.
Another useful remedy is a decoction of sage. To prepare it, you need to pour 100 g of dry leaves of the plant with water, boil for 10 minutes. The resulting drink is recommended to be consumed several times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.
Possible Complications
Allergy to apples is a fairly common ailment that requires competent treatment withthe use of medicines. It’s not enough to simply cut fruits out of your diet. Neglect of the doctor's recommendations often ends in serious complications. Some patients are constantly haunted by a feeling of fatigue and drowsiness, while in others, swelling of the airways leads to chronic bronchial asthma. This is a serious disease that requires qualified medical attention. Quincke's edema is considered its most dangerous manifestation. It differs from other pathologies in the depth of the lesion. Another serious consequence of allergies is anaphylactic shock. The speed of its development can vary from a few seconds to 5 hours. This condition is accompanied by loss of consciousness, a drop in blood pressure and other vital signs. In 10% of cases, anaphylactic shock ends in the death of the patient.
Prevention measures
Can allergies be prevented? Apples, photos of which stimulate appetite, are considered a he althy product. They contain many vitamins and beneficial trace elements. Unfortunately, both adults and children have to deal with intolerance to this sweet treat. Allergies can be caused not only by the Mal d1 protein, but also by chemicals present on the peel of the fruit. Therefore, to prevent the disease, the following rules must be observed:
- Wash fruits under hot running water before eating.
- Remove the skin from apples.
- Subject the fruits to heat treatment.
- When symptoms of intolerance appear, it is better to exclude apples fromdiet.
Rash all over the body, tearing, respiratory failure - all these signs indicate an allergic reaction. To be sure of its source, you should consult a doctor. After conducting skin tests and a complete diagnosis, the specialist will be able to accurately identify the allergen, suggest measures to eliminate it. Stay he althy!
