Avoiding Strawberry Allergy Reactions

Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits. They are fresh and delicious and packed with nutrients. In 2018, around 1.43 million tons of strawberries were produced in the United States only. They are one of the most consumed fruits in the summer and also a very common ingredient for Valentine's Day recipes.

Despite its popularity, strawberry allergy is more common than we think. Symptoms can range from a rash or an itchy feeling in your mouth to a life-threatening reaction. Learn-ing how to avoid strawberries and similar fruits to prevent reactions is crucial.

What is a strawberry allergy?

Strawberry allergy is an oral allergy, that is, a reaction of your immune system to a spe-cific protein that it mistakenly identifies as bad. The oral allergy syndrome, also known as pollen-food syndrome, can be triggered by proteins in certain fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spices because they’re similar to allergy-causing proteins found in certain pol-lens.

If you’re allergic to strawberries, you may also have a strawberry family allergy. Fruits of the Rosacea family, such as pears, peaches, cherries, apples or raspberries, might cause you an allergic reaction. However, some of the symptoms can be less severe when the fruits are cooked instead of eaten raw.

How to avoid a reaction?

Oral allergies are fairly common among children and adults. Although most adults who develop allergies usually do so in their twenties or thirties, they can be developed at any age.

If you or your child notice any reactions after eating strawberries, you must eliminate them from your or their diet right away. The most common symptoms are itching and inflammation of the throat and mouth, itchy skin, hives, coughing and wheezing, dizzi-ness, diarrhea, vomiting, and congestion.

It is very important to be aware that many foods contain strawberries. Many snacks and desserts use fresh strawberries, strawberry jams, and even strawberry flavorings. You must be careful too with the mentioned Rosacea family fruits. Find alternatives that are safe for you and can help you when you have a sweet tooth.

Valentine’s Day alternatives

Holidays can get tricky when dealing with food allergies. Strawberries, with their bright red color and heart shape, are considered one of the traditional Valentine’s Day foods. They are also the symbol of Venus, the Roman goddess of Love. However, you must not let your strawberry allergy get in the way of a romantic and delicious Valentine’s Day meal.

You can start the day with a delicious breakfast with heart-shaped banana pancakes. How about a romantic Italian lunch with a gluten and dairy-free pizza? Of course, if you too associate Valentine’s Day with indulging in the sweetness, you can enjoy a black chocolate fondue or treat yourself with the AllergySafe brownies.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/193288/us-total-strawberry-production-since-2000/