How to get rid of my fruit allergies?

The Forbidden Fruit

  • Can I become allergic to (almost) all fruits over night? If so, what can I eat/drink as substitutes? In the last few weeks, I noticed that I seem to react to fruits the same way I react to milk - the exact symptoms of my lactosis intolerance. I'm healthy otherwise, and generally rarely get sick. Most of my family on my mother's side deals with insane amounts of allergies (including nearly every known fruit) and my lactosis intolerance came "over night" as well when I was in my mid-twenties. It still seems strange that every fruit I try makes me throw up/gives me extreme stomach pain from one day to another. In my family, it slowly developed, starting with strawberries and working it's way up to "all fruits". Fruits I have tried: Passion fruit, cherries, banana, coconut, watermelon, raspberries, mango, orange, apricot. Banana and coconut give me less stomach pain and doesn't make me throw up, but it's still stomach pain and pretty uncomfortable in the end. Some I ate, some I drank as juice (claiming to be "100 % natural", if it's any help). I don't feel like testing any other fruits. Question 1: Is there anything these types of fruit have in common that could be cause the allergy? Or is it unlikely that this is a simple allergy and I should see a doctor? (If so, what kind of doc?) Question 2, whatever stands between fruits and me, I like eating them and drinking juice. Unlike milk, I can't just take a counterpart to soy milk. What can I eat/drink instead to have at least the vitamine part covered (bonus points if it tastes good)?

  • Answer:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose_malabsorption is a possibility. To get the same vitamins? Vegetables are the thing. Fruit isn't really unique in the vitamins it contains.

MinusCelsius at Ask.Metafilter.Com Visit the source

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Vegetable juices are quite good; maybe try carrot juice? I would see an allergist about all of this, though.

Sidhedevil

Are you overloading your digestive system with fruits? Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Example: fresh cherries can cause terrible gas pains. Cut back and eat small amounts.

Carol Anne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_allergy_syndrome? OAS manifests only mostly itchiness and burning of the lips, mouth, and throat, but some people experience gastrointestinal issues. If you have hayfever, it could be a possibility, and the onset of reactions to produce can certainly appear rapidly, seemingly out of the blue. But yes, get thee to an allergist and have it checked out.

raztaj

http://ask.metafilter.com/218007/The-Forbidden-Fruit#3148297: "It sounds exactly like Oral Allergy Syndrome to me. However, the OP should definitely see a gastroenterologist as well." "Oral allergy syndrome or OAS is a type of food allergy classified by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_allergy_syndrome in response to eating certain (usually fresh) fruits, nuts, and vegetables that typically develops in adult hay fever sufferers." MinusCelsius described stomach pain and vomiting; this is nothing like OAS. And, as has been noted, "allergies" involve responses of the histamine system (itchiness, swelling, raised bumps, excessive mucus flow...); this is a sensitivity, but not an allergy, according to what I've read. FWIW, when attempting to track down legitimate medical information.

IAmBroom

Anecdotal, I know, but I had a friend who developed a severe lactose intolerance (with similar symptoms as you) and, after much investigating and experimentation, discovered it was actually a gluten intolerance that, over time, caused the lactose issues. After about 3 months of gluten-free, she was able to consume lactose without issue and still has no problems 2+ years later.

Jacob G

Yeah, this doesn't sound like an allergy (likewise, lactose intolerance is not an allergy). You could start by running this past your primary care doctor and they can refer you to the appropriate specialist (probably a gastroenterologist). For what it's worth, fresh fruit and dairy are among the most common culprits for triggering issues in people with intestinal issues. You might consider trying cooked, peeled fruit as one last experiment -- I have GI issues and can't tolerate most fresh fruit, but well cooked fruit (like a soft baked apple or pie innards) usually works OK.

telegraph

er, that would be "pollen food allergy." I cannot type today

raztaj

Just, data point: during the year when pollens are worst for birch trees and later ragweed, my friend can't eat bananas. She has NO reaction to bananas in her mucus membranes; it's only bad on her stomach. Avocados though, are much different for her, as are melons. Which is to say: like lots of other syndromes, there is no "one size fits all" and OAS can manifest itself in all kinds of ways. Cooking fruit DOES usually neutralize the stuff that bothers you. But. Some people have such pronounced reactions that they are issued epi pens, so . . . I'd go to a doctor anyway. An allergist if not a GI doctor. I know it sucks but my friend ONLY figured this out after we harangued her for YEARS to go to the allergist. Her life is way better now.

Medieval Maven

I have few issues with milk products after they were cooked, so I might give fruits a try. I also read up on sorbitol, which the wiki entry says I should avoid in case of fructose intolerance, and what fruits have high/low sorbitol levels. Pineapple is listed as having nearly none and thinking about it, the one fruit smoothie that didn't make me throw up was coconut-pineapple, and I did eat curry with pineapple with no issues. Might be something. you would have the same issue with a billion other non-fruit things, because HFCS is everywhere I might. The stomach pain started a little over a week ago; before that, I ate/drank everything that causes problems now without any issues, for years. I will try to eat a cooked fruit, and other than that, avoid fruits and things that are on the "to avoid" list. If cooked pineapple (minus curry) causes pain, I'll see a doctor though. Thanks for the input.

MinusCelsius

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