Could you be allergic to grapes? This question is asked by many people, because this product appears on every table from time to time. It has been proven that it contains a lot of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are so necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
Why do people get allergic to grapes? What are the symptoms of such a reaction of the body? Should I be worried about this? What treatments can modern medicine offer? The answers to these questions are of interest to many people.
General information
It's no secret that grapes are an extremely he althy product. It contains much-needed vitamins (ascorbic acid, B vitamins), minerals (grapes are rich in potassium), as well as fiber, beneficial organic acids and enzymes that stimulate digestion.
Grape juice is recommended for diseases of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract. Also, this product contains a huge amount of antioxidants that protect body cells from negativeexposure to free radicals, activate regenerative processes and slow down the aging process.
However, not all people can consume this product in unlimited quantities, as it belongs to the group of allergens. For one reason or another, the immune system of some people reacts inadequately to the substances contained in the berries or on their surface, which is accompanied by the appearance of skin rashes, swelling and other disorders. Children are most often sensitive to this product, although an allergy to grapes in an adult is also possible.
Main causes of allergies
Why do people get allergic to grapes? As already mentioned, such a violation is associated with hypersensitivity of the immune system, so in this case there is a genetic predisposition. People with a family history of allergies are at risk.
It is worth noting that the reaction of the immune system may be associated with the influence of various factors.
- Allergies often develop due to hypersensitivity to substances contained directly in grapes.
- In addition, the reaction of the immune system may be associated with the formation of rotting and fermentation products in the intestines. For example, this is observed with dysbacteriosis or disorders of the digestive organs - grapes are not completely absorbed by the body.
- Allergies can be caused by fungal spores, plant pollen, or chemicals that are present on the surface of grape skins (which is why it is so important to wash and cook wellproducts).
Allergy to grapes on the skin: the main symptoms
It should be said right away that the reaction of the immune system to this product may be accompanied by various symptoms. Most often, an allergy to grapes on the skin is manifested. In such cases, redness with a small rash appears in some areas of the tissues. Skin allergies can appear on the skin of the face, hands, chest.
Patients complain of burning and itching. Eating grapes can cause hives, a blistering rash on the skin that looks like a nettle burn.
Also, the list of symptoms includes swelling of soft tissues - the skin in the affected areas becomes swollen.
Allergy to grapes: symptoms of oral dermatitis
Oral dermatitis is a type of skin lesion, however, in this case, signs of an allergic reaction are localized in areas around the lips.
Allergy to grapes is often accompanied by irritation of the skin around the lips. There is also swelling of the tongue, palate, inner surface of the cheeks, mucous membrane of the lips. Sometimes there is a sensation of a lump in the throat. Often patients complain of unpleasant itching and burning. The skin around the mouth turns red, covered with a small blistering rash. The list of symptoms includes the sensation of itching in the ears.
Respiratory Allergies
Fairly common hypersensitivityaccompanied by a violation of the organs of the respiratory system.
- Sometimes there is swelling of the mucous membranes of the larynx. This, of course, prevents a person from breathing, swallowing and talking normally.
- Symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing. There may be profuse mucous discharge from the nose. Some patients complain of constant burning and itching in the nasal passages. By the way, this is often how an allergy to grapes in a child manifests itself. In adults, such symptoms are possible, but rarely recorded.
- In the most severe cases, the use of this product causes persistent bronchospasm. A patient with similar symptoms should be rushed to the hospital.
Diagnostic measures: what do doctors pay attention to?
Allergy is a problem that requires careful diagnosis. After all, it is very important to determine exactly what exactly causes a reaction from the immune system. That is why patients are advised to keep a food diary and carefully monitor their well-being and the appearance of certain symptoms.
A blood test will also help diagnose allergies - during a laboratory test, an increase in the level of immunoglobulin E can be detected. In the future, skin tests are required. On the patient's skin, the specialist gently makes small scratches and applies a solution of the alleged allergen. In the presence of hypersensitivity, the skin will turn red and swell slightly after contact with the substance. This way you can find out if the reaction is related tograpes.
An additional enzyme immunoassay is performed to help identify cross-allergies.
Drug treatment of the disease
What to do if you have hypersensitivity? This question is asked by many people, especially if a child has been diagnosed with an allergy to grapes. After all, it is not always possible to constantly monitor what the baby eats.
Drug treatment is reduced to taking antihistamines. These drugs block histamine receptors, thereby blocking the further development of an allergic reaction. Such drugs help relieve swelling of the mucous membranes, eliminate spasms, itching and other symptoms of hypersensitivity.
The list of antihistamines includes "Dimedrol", "Chlorphenamine", "Hifenadine", "Clemastin". These are effective, powerful drugs, which, unfortunately, also have sedative properties, so you can not always take them.
Today, second-generation medicines are most often used - Loratadin, Tavegil, Suprastin, Levocetirizine. Of course, you should understand that these drugs only relieve symptoms, and do not eliminate the cause of the disease.
Other treatments
Allergy to grapes is a serious problem and should not be ignored. Antihistamines are not able to get rid of hypersensitivity, therefore, first of all, doctors advise to exclude this product from the diet.
In this case, it is extremely important to keep a food diary. For example, in some patients, only fresh grapes cause an allergic reaction, while dried berries, sauces, wines and other products containing this component are quite safe. In addition, hypersensitivity may be associated not with the grape itself, but with pesticides, pollen and other substances that are not contained inside the berry, but on its surface - in such cases, it is enough just to thoroughly clean the skin from dirt and adhere to the rules of heat treatment.
Unfortunately, getting rid of allergies is difficult. Only the desensitization method can be considered effective. This therapy is quite laborious - for a long time the patient is injected with small doses of a substance that provokes a reaction from the immune system. Thus, the body gradually adapts to the effects of the allergen and “learns” to respond adequately to it.
