What can you drink if you are allergic to citrus. Allergy to citrus fruits in adults. Key Diet Principles

The smell of tangerines and oranges is associated with New Year's holidays and gifts. However, for some people, this joy is clouded because they are allergic to citrus fruits.

All fruits of this series have a high content of vitamin C. In addition, they are often used in aromatherapy. The smell of orange, lemon, tangerine, etc. has an antidepressant effect, normalizes the functioning of the brain and nerve endings, develops appetite and relieves fatigue.

Most often, allergic manifestations occur in childhood.

Reasons for the development of allergies

The main reason for the development of the disease is a failure in the patient's immune system, when the body perceives the protein of the product as foreign and produces a negative reaction.

  • possible rejection can cause salicylates, amines and benzoates contained in all citrus fruits;
  • when eating a large amount of fruits, histamine can be released into the body, which can also provoke an acute allergy;
  • an allergic reaction can be caused by various chemicals that are used to treat the surface of fruits for their transportation and preservation of their presentation;
  • Genetic predisposition and cross-reactions are of no small importance.

In adult patients, intolerance to citrus fruits can worsen in the presence of chronic diseases: liver, kidneys and stomach.

Symptoms of the disease

A pronounced allergy to citrus fruits occurs not only on the pulp of the fruit, but also on the essential oils present in the citrus peel. Volatile enzymes affect the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, provoking a negative reaction. In some people, allergies are manifested by dermatitis upon direct contact with the fruit.

In the symptoms of allergy development, there are some differences between adult patients and children.

The most characteristic symptoms of allergies in childhood

  • in young children, the disease most often occurs in the form of food intolerance. First of all, there is a skin rash, diathesis. Rashes are small-pointed or in the form of spots. Gradually progressing, they can turn into eczema;

  • symptoms of allergic rhinitis and frequent sneezing are noted;
  • eye redness and watery eyes;
  • paroxysmal cough develops;
  • allergic symptoms very often provoke malfunctions of the digestive system, so enterocolitis, flatulence and dyspeptic manifestations may occur. With a complicated course, there are colic in the abdomen, vomiting, loss of appetite;
  • sometimes the reaction in children may be accompanied by hearing loss.

Adult patients

  • conjunctivitis is most often noted;
  • acute rhinitis;
  • a small punctate rash appears on the body, accompanied by itching;
  • there may be difficulty breathing, suffocation;

  • dizziness and fainting;
  • bouts of severe weakness.

Quincke's edema (giant urticaria) and anaphylactic shock are the most dangerous. These symptoms develop rapidly and require urgent medical attention when they appear. Otherwise, the patient may die from respiratory arrest.

Therapeutic measures

The main measures in the treatment are aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease and the complete exclusion of contact with the allergen. Avoid any citrus fruits.

Drug treatment involves the use of the following drugs:

  • Antihistamines - these drugs are very often prescribed. They contain cromoglycic acid. These include Kromoglin, Nalkrom, etc. Modern treatment with these drugs includes Zyrtec, Kestin, Claritin, etc. The first generation drugs were widely used: Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, etc. The therapeutic course of treatment with such drugs is from 1 to 3 months. It is important to consider that first-generation drugs have a number of side effects, manifested by drowsiness, lethargy, loss of attention;

  • Enterosorbents - are used in the development of disorders of the digestive system. These include drugs made using hydrocarbons: Activated carbon, Antralen, Karbovit, Carbolong, etc. Enterosorbents play the role of a link that removes toxins from the body and relieves inflammation. In case of allergies, these drugs act as quickly as possible, without aggravating the symptoms, unlike chemical and biologically active drugs that can increase allergic manifestations;
  • Ointments, gels, cream - are applied externally to relieve itching and provide anti-inflammatory action. The most commonly used are Celestoderm and Elok;
  • Hormonal agents - are used to relieve severe symptoms of the disease, when the use of antihistamines did not bring the desired result. Most often, Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone, etc. are used. These drugs are not intended for long-term use, they have a short-term effect. It should be borne in mind that hormone therapy is prescribed only by a doctor;
  • Immunomodulators - designed to activate the immune system. Their use is most favorable in combination with vitamins.

In addition to drug treatment, a hypoallergenic diet is actively used. An allergy to citrus fruits can disappear forever after 6 months of eliminating these fruits from the diet. Gradually, you can add these fruits to food, but moderation should be observed.

Citrus fruits are considered a highly allergenic food product. The list of these exotic fruits is quite large, but in our country it is mainly lemon, tangerine, orange, pomelo, grapefruit. When consumed in large quantities, even a healthy person (if he ate, for example, 2 kg of tangerine), may experience minor rashes. An allergy to citrus fruits most often manifests itself as a reaction to tangerines and oranges. In children, citrus fruits are a very common cause of food allergies, after chocolate, nuts, eggs, and milk.

The reasons

In a simplified form, the following basic causes of an allergic reaction are distinguished:

  1. Heredity;
  2. Violations in the work of immunity;
  3. Problems in the gastrointestinal tract

The main cause of the disease lies in the biochemical processes. Genetics play an important role here. Since citrus fruits grow in equatorial countries, our body is not used to them and reacts pathologically, including in the form of an allergy. This disease often affects people who already have any allergic reactions. Such people are more likely to develop an allergy to citrus fruits - this behavior is explained by the occurrence of a cross-reaction of immunity to another allergen. When one protein is similar to another, then only 3-4 amino acids in the active center of the allergen are enough for the reaction to occur, so that class E antibodies produced, for example, against an allergen contained in pollen, combine with the citrus allergen and, as a result, an immunological reaction develops. reaction. Usually citrus fruits are recommended to be excluded from the diet of all allergy sufferers.

How does it manifest

Allergy to citrus, as this phenomenon can be called on the Internet, usually manifests itself, like many other allergic reactions, in the form of:

  • : , dermatitis, .
  • : clear nasal discharge, profuse sneezing.
  • : redness of the eye membrane, lacrimation, itching.
  • Problems with the respiratory system:, spasms of the bronchi.
  • Disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract: pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

During the course of the disease, complications such as anaphylactic shock are possible, which can lead to very serious, life-threatening consequences. Symptoms can be expressed to varying degrees, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. In children, as a rule, the disease rapidly manifests itself in the form of skin rashes. This allergic reaction often occurs literally within 10-15 minutes, its manifestations can last for half an hour - several days.

What does it look like

Usually, the symptoms of an allergy to citrus fruits appear externally in the form of skin rashes. They have the character of spots of red or pink color, blisters, accompanied by itching, which can grow in size and merge with each other (manifestations of urticaria). Such a rash often appears on the face, neck, arms, abdomen and back, and it can also cover the entire body. If the reaction of the body to the allergen takes the form of eczema, then areas of inflammation (erythema) of red color appear on the skin, which are then covered with small bubbles (papules, vesicles), these rashes are accompanied by itching. In case of complications, swelling may appear, usually in the head area - lips, cheeks, eye area and tongue.




How to get rid

The first step is to consult a doctor and carry out a series of diagnostic measures: an analysis for specific immunoglobulin E, skin allergic tests, a biochemical blood test, an examination of the gastrointestinal tract, since such diseases can also affect the development of food allergic reactions. It is imperative to completely exclude any citrus fruits from the diet, it is also advisable to try not to consume other potentially allergenic foods, such as nuts, eggs, milk, chocolate, and others.

To relieve symptoms of allergy to citrus, antihistamines are used, both classic first-generation drugs, such as Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Tavegil, Diazolin, Phencarol - and fairly modern second-generation drugs: Lorotadin, Zirtek, Ceterizin, Claridol, Clarotadin, Lomilan, Claritin, Rupafin, Kestin. Currently, 3rd generation drugs are also used: Erius, Desal, Feksadin, Telfast. There are differences between these drugs, they consist mainly in the number of side effects, in particular, in the presence of a sedative effect. The higher the generation, the safer the drug. But, at the same time, the means of the first generation are relevant in view of the fact that they have certain advantages - this concerns the speed and strength of action.

Also, in the treatment of skin manifestations of allergic reactions to citrus fruits, hormone-based ointments are used, such as: Afloderm, Prednisolone, Desoxymethasone, Elocom, Cutiveit, Dermovate. They are divided into 4 classes according to the strength of their effect and the concentration of the active substance. Drugs of this type often have a large number of side effects and are usually used when others no longer help. Modern hormonal drugs are safer than their older counterparts, but still, a medical consultation is necessary before using them.

Enterosorbents, such as activated carbon, Sorbex, Enterosgel, can be used to treat a food allergic reaction to citrus fruits. They reduce the effect of toxins in case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Also, in different cases of the course of the disease, anti-inflammatory ointments can be used, such as Elidel, Skin-cap, ointments that accelerate healing: Actovegin, La Cree. Zinc-based preparations: Desitin, Zinc ointment. It is possible to use such modern methods as allergen-specific immunotherapy.

An allergy is the body's response to exposure to substances it cannot tolerate. It can be food - for various food products, and non-food - for dust, odors, animal hair, etc. Allergic reactions of this kind can occur in both children and adults. Moreover, this is not always an innate feature. Sometimes a person can acquire an allergy in adulthood. Of all the types, the most common food allergy is citrus fruits, the treatment and causes of which we will consider in our article. Let's start with the factors that provoke the appearance of such a reaction. It is important to know them in order to prevent the disease.

Allergies passed from parents to children

Why is there an allergy to citrus fruits? Despite the fact that allergy is a rather ancient disease, the problem of its occurrence to any substances has not been fully studied so far. However, scientists and physicians around the world continue to actively work on the study of the causes and features of its development, since today the number of people suffering from this disease is, unfortunately, increasing.

According to doctors, most allergy sufferers inherit this feature from their parents or other relatives, and there are enough cases when one of the parents was allergic to one product, and the child was allergic to some other. This is due to the fact that the inheritance is not a specific disease, but a tendency to it in general. Most allergy sufferers suffer from intolerance to several foods.

Allergen product

Why is citrus allergy most common? The photo shows how it can manifest itself. Citrus fruits are loved by many children and adults. These fruits are called a storehouse of vitamin C, so they are extremely useful, but, unfortunately, do not grow in our latitudes. Biologists have long proved that a person should consume only those plant products that grow in his latitudes.

It is the “native” vegetables and fruits that can benefit the body, which, in turn, will not respond to their use with various allergic reactions. All citrus fruits are unnatural for a person from the middle latitudes. This means that his body cannot adapt to their use. Therefore, it responds with an allergy to the intake of such products. This also applies to other exotic fruits, but still to a greater extent citrus fruits, since they, among other things, contain very strong esters. They exacerbate the already complex task of the body.

Ethers

It has been proven that an allergy to citrus fruits can develop not from eating them, but from the banal inhalation of the esters they emit. So, an allergic reaction can easily occur in a person prone to this disease, if someone next to him cleaned and ate such a fruit. Inhalation of various perfumes, cosmetics and household chemicals that contain natural citrus flavors can also trigger the onset of this condition. That is why people prone to allergies should avoid any contact with a substance that the body does not perceive.

Drugs used to treat fruits

A fairly common cause of an allergy to citrus fruits is not the fruits themselves, but the preparations with which they are processed. In order for fruits to grow big, even, bright, resistant to various diseases and pests, chemicals such as diphenyl, metal bromide, sulfur dioxide, etc. are used. In addition to ensuring an excellent harvest, these substances "prolong the life" of fruits in order to they could be exported to various countries and stored for a long time on supermarket shelves. Getting on the surface of the fruit, some of these substances penetrate into the pulp, and if they are not washed enough before eating, you can get a dose of harmful chemicals along with vitamins. These substances are usually odorless and tasteless, so they go unnoticed by the buyer.

An allergy to citrus fruits in a child manifests itself somewhat more often than in an adult, since the child's body is not yet strong enough to deal with the effects of aggressive allergens. The same applies to people whose immunity is reduced for any reason - a long illness, diets and starvation, taking antibiotics, etc.

Symptoms

How does a citrus allergy manifest itself?
When the body is exposed to various substances, it can respond to them with one of the following reactions:

1. Frequent sneezing, itching, sore throat - sensations characteristic of colds.

2. Itching and pain in the eyes, increased lacrimation, redness of the eyeballs in the complex is called allergic conjunctivitis.

3. Changes in the skin: rashes, redness, hives, eczema, etc.

4. Allergic enterocolitis, manifested as a slight relaxation of the intestines and flatulence.

5. Increased blood pressure.

6. Difficulty in breathing.

7. Anaphylactic shock that develops in acute cases of allergy. The most dangerous condition that can lead to the death of a person.

The symptoms of a citrus allergy can easily be confused with a cold, food poisoning, or other ailment. However, it is extremely important to recognize the reaction in time in order to eliminate the source of irritation and prevent further development of the disease. In the event of an acute reaction to an allergen, an ambulance should be called. In this way, the deterioration of the patient's condition can be avoided.

Allergy in children

Symptoms of an allergy to citrus fruits in adults are somewhat milder than in children. Therefore, it is so important to monitor the condition of the child, especially infancy, so as not to miss an attack of the reaction and take timely measures to stop it. If a baby who is breastfed or formula-fed develops a rash, redness or other symptoms of unknown origin, parents should immediately consult a doctor. This may indicate an allergy triggered by certain drugs, cosmetics, or milk, which partially contains substances from the products used by the mother.

Treatment

What is the treatment for citrus allergy? It is impossible to cure this. You can only temporarily eliminate the reaction. In order to remove or reduce the manifestations of allergies, various medications are used. There are quite a few of them today. The preparations "Claritin", "Zirtek", "Kestin", "Ksizal" have good reviews from patients. However, in order not to harm yourself even more, the patient should consult an allergist. It is he who will select the drug that is suitable in a particular case.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the doctor will carefully examine the patient, exclude scabies, psoriasis or other diseases that have similar symptoms. After that, he will select the drug, talk about the method and doses of its use, give advice on nutrition and lifestyle. In most cases, following the doctor's recommendations leads to a successful result.
The most common treatments for citrus allergy in adults are medication, diet, and physical therapy.

New Treatments

With the development of medicine, new ways to deal with this disease have appeared, such as immunotherapy and the use of glucocorticoids.

The essence of the new method of treatment: the patient receives intravenously a small dose of a substance that is an allergen for him. Then the dose is slightly increased. As a result, the body begins to produce antibodies that block the action of the allergen. As a rule, such a procedure is quite expensive. However, its effect lasts for several years, which can be especially important in case of a tendency to an acute course of allergic reactions.
Glucocorticosteroids are anti-allergic drugs of a new generation. They are more effective than traditional means. However, they also have a number of contraindications. You can buy glucocorticosteroids only by prescription and in the specified amount.
To relieve acute symptoms, sorbents can be prescribed - substances aimed at combating the intoxication of the body caused by the allergen.

Folk remedies

In addition to medicinal methods for the treatment of allergies, folk remedies are widely used. Many of them are really effective. However, before testing the effect of an unfamiliar, albeit plant, substance, you should consult a doctor. There are frequent cases of contacting medical institutions with food poisoning that arose against the background of improperly performed allergy treatment at home.
The most popular means used by the people are the following:

1. Honey, propolis and other bee products. Being one of the most common allergens, bee products at the same time can help in the fight against this disease. Their use should be extremely dosed and careful. Most often, you can find such tips as chewing honeycombs, drinking water with honey and applying it to places of redness, rashes and itching.

2. Herbal decoctions. For the treatment of allergies, herbs such as oregano, wormwood, hops, duckweed, St. John's wort and others can be used. However, these plants have quite strong medicinal properties. Therefore, the use of decoctions from them should be, again, careful. In one of the recipes, it is recommended to take 200 grams of dry grass (of the same type or different in equal parts) and pour a liter of boiling water. The resulting herbal tea should be infused for five hours, after which you can use it inside 200 ml three times a day.

Prevention

The best way to deal with any disease and allergies in particular is prevention. In order to prevent the development of allergies, it is necessary to avoid the use of an allergenic product in large quantities (citrus fruits, honey, chocolate, peanuts, seafood, etc.).

You should also get rid of dust in the apartment in a timely manner, and it is better to place your favorite indoor plants with bright colors away from places where family members spend most of their time. Expectant mothers should do everything to ensure that the child is not born allergic. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to eat vegetables and fruits brought from other countries, as well as any products that can cause allergies.

Conclusion

Our article provided information on how an allergy to citrus fruits manifests itself, why these fruits are most often able to cause such a reaction. Advice was also given on what to do in a similar situation. We hope the article was useful and informative.

Often, beloved overseas fruits such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, grapefruits, pomelo cause an inadequate allergic reaction of the immune system in people who live in an area where citrus fruits are a “curiosity”. Most often, an allergy to citrus fruits (especially tangerines and oranges) occurs in children. However, when overeating fragrant fruits, allergic manifestations are also observed in adults.

The results of numerous studies in the field of healthy nutrition prove that the human body receives the maximum benefit only from those vegetables, fruits and cereals that are typical for the area in which a person was born and raised, therefore local agricultural products should be included in the main natural diet.

The most allergenic fruits

Despite the taste and benefits of the fruits of plants of the Citrus subfamily (Citroideae), certain types of them cause unpleasant reactions in the body. It's all about the concentration of substances included in their natural composition. So, for example, pomelo will not cause health problems, while eating tangerine or kumquat can provoke a violent allergic reaction. This is explained by the content in them of a larger amount of thiamine and pantothenic acid.

The most allergenic citrus fruits include: tangerines, tangarines, oranges, grapefruits.

The color of exotic fruits can serve as a kind of indicator of the degree of their allergenicity. The brighter the fruit, the higher the likelihood of developing an allergy. Lemons are less likely to show signs of food intolerance than fruits with orange-colored skin and flesh.

How to distinguish an allergy from a pseudo-allergy?

In a person who does not suffer from a true allergy to citrus fruits, 1-2 tangerines will not cause unpleasant symptoms. Discomfort manifests itself only in the case of an “overdose”, when exotic lovers immediately eat half a kilogram or more of fruit. In this case, we are talking about a false or pseudo-allergy that occurs as a result of an oversaturation of the body with the amino acid - histidine.

A hallmark of a true allergy to citrus fruits is the fact that the symptoms are provoked not only by the use of the fruits themselves, but also by the intake of drugs and products containing extracts, citrus acids. An allergic reaction also occurs when using cosmetics with citrus components.

Signs of an Allergy to Citrus in Children

An allergy to citrus fruits in a child most often develops as a food intolerance. What should you pay attention to?

  1. Rash on the skin. These may be red spots or small dots. Skin changes often turn into eczema.
  2. Diathesis. Quite common in children under the age of three. Allergic diathesis is expressed by reddening of the skin on the cheeks, elbows and knees. Therefore, red cheeks in a baby are not always a healthy blush, sometimes it is one of the signs of a negative reaction of the body.
  3. Coryza with copious mucus and sneezing.
  4. Redness of the eyes. Inflammation of the conjunctiva is also possible.
  5. Dry cough. Often, a child's cough turns into an asthmatic attack.

In addition to the primary signs, there are a number of additional symptoms that also indicate the development of allergies. In some cases, an allergy to citrus fruits is expressed by a violation of the digestive system in a child, on this basis there are signs of enterocolitis.

For a mild course of the disease, flatulence and dyspeptic disorders are characteristic. The severe course of the disease is accompanied by a lack of appetite in the child, the appearance of colic in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting.

Aggravating the symptoms of food allergies can be delayed identification and elimination of the source (in this case, the rejection of fruits). Frequent allergic reactions in children against the background of intolerance to citrus fruits lead to hearing loss.

Traditional Therapies

It is not difficult to diagnose an allergy to citrus fruits, since the reaction is not long in coming and occurs immediately after eating the fruit. It is more difficult to identify the cause of the allergy in the case when the allergen enters the body not with food, but by inhaling the aroma of citrus or using hygiene products or cosmetics that contain a similar extract.

The first thing a person needs to do when an allergy appears is not only to stop eating citrus fruits, but not even to keep them at home. If these simple actions did not help, then you should consult an allergist, who, most likely, will prescribe antihistamines (Nalkrom, Kromoglin, etc.) to the patient. The course of treatment with antihistamines is usually about 3 months.

With skin changes and indigestion, specialists prescribe enterosorbents, drugs that help to quickly remove toxins from the body, thus reducing the risk of inflammation. An effective remedy for eliminating dermatitis are ointments and gels (Celestoderm, Elek, etc.).

If there is no particular improvement even after taking medications with antihistamine action, doctors resort to hormonal corticosteroid drugs. In addition, during the period of treatment, it is necessary to maintain the normal functioning of the patient's immune system. For this purpose, immunomodulators and a number of vitamin complexes are used.

Hemocorrection is a cardinal method of treating allergies

Allergists firmly believe that it is almost impossible to completely get rid of this type of food allergy, you can only reduce the manifestations of this disease to a certain extent. However, today it has become possible to forget about allergies forever thanks to the latest method that allows you to change the composition of the blood. We are talking about extracorporeal hemocorrection.

This method is based on the elimination of factors that provoke a particular disease from the patient's blood and the subsequent introduction of special drugs into it. After the implementation of these manipulations, the blood is poured back into the patient's body. Usually, allergy symptoms disappear after the initial procedure. Five to ten treatments are required to completely cure a citrus allergy. Extracorporeal hemocorrection is carried out exclusively in specialized clinics under the supervision of doctors.

According to the results of the study, allergies can be cured in this way in six months, a correctly prescribed technique completely eliminates its occurrence in the future. The only caution for a recovered person is to avoid excessive consumption of citrus fruits.

Folk remedies for allergies to citrus fruits

Allergy treatment also involves the use of folk recipes. The course of treatment with herbal infusions is quite long with breaks of two weeks.

  • Wormwood, duckweed, oregano, birch buds, hops and St. John's wort (1 tablespoon each) are poured with boiling water (500 ml) and infused for half an hour. Ready broth is taken 50 ml before meals.
  • Some bee products are also suitable for allergy symptoms. However, they must be treated with caution. Honey, propolis and perga are natural allergens and in some cases can only increase the allergic reaction.
  • An infusion is prepared from stinging nettle, which is used to treat rashes, eczema or hives. Boiling water (200 ml) pour dry nettle leaves (1 tablespoon) dry. It should be taken 100 ml 3 to 5 times a day.
  • Peppermint infusion helps relieve allergic symptoms. Mint leaves (1 tablespoon) are poured with boiling water (100 ml), infused for 30 minutes, then filtered. Take 1 tablespoon up to 3 times a day.
  • Scientists believe that the cause of citrus allergy may not be an exotic fruit, but the chemicals used by manufacturers to process these products during their growth, as well as for long-term storage of the product.
  • As observations show, tangerines grown in Abkhazia do not cause any allergic reactions in many children, while imported tangerines provoke allergy symptoms. Perhaps the determining factor is the variety of fruits, as well as the place of their growth.
  • In some children, a violent reaction of the body can occur not only from a small amount of citrus fruits, but even from their smell or touching them.
  • The appearance of an allergy to any citrus fruit does not mean at all that a similar reaction will occur with the use of all other fruits of this type. So, being allergic to tangerines, a person can safely tolerate pomelo or grapefruit.

Treating Citrus Allergy in a Child

An allergy to citrus fruits in a child is considered a food allergy, which arises from an increased sensitivity of the body to certain foods. An allergy is manifested due to the fact that the immune reactions of food antigens with lymphocytes and antibodies do not function properly in the human body.

An antigen is a protein of a product, or certain substances that occur during storage, digestion or other culinary processing of this product.

Allergies are often caused by a malfunction of the immune system. The reason for the failure may be living in an ecologically unfavorable area, and this, of course, will lead to increased contact of the body with allergens. Thus, poor sanitary conditions cause an increased content of the allergen in the products, in addition, it becomes the cause of dysbacteriosis.

In a child, an allergic reaction to citrus fruits can cause both general and local manifestations.

  • allergic conjunctivitis - red eyes, accompanied by lacrimation;
  • allergic rhinitis - accompanied by a runny nose, the nose area swells, swells and turns red;
  • allergic otitis - the ear swells, which leads to hearing loss;
  • swelling of the bronchi - accompanied by a whistle when breathing;
  • allergic dermatitis - redness of the skin, itching and rash.

In children, allergies mainly occur with rashes, diathesis, itching, and skin dermatitis. And in adults, allergies are expressed by various rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

Allergy treatment must be carried out without fail, otherwise the symptoms may develop into more serious diseases - eczema, laryngeal edema, anaphylactic shock, and then immediate enhanced treatment or hospitalization will be required. Severe cases of an allergic reaction in some cases are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness. However, the primary symptoms of an allergy to citrus fruits are enough for a child to unsettle him.

The child constantly itches, does not get enough sleep, and as a result, physical exhaustion and a final failure in the immune system. A child in such a weakened state is not able to learn, respectively, an adult is not able to work normally, especially if the profession requires increased attention. For this reason, it can be said that the problem of allergies concerns the whole society, and not just the sufferer of this disease.

An allergic reaction to citrus fruits is confirmed by laboratory tests, since common conjunctivitis has similar symptoms along with mild food poisoning.

Well, if you know that you are prone to allergies, then you need to start treating it. It is treated with conventional antihistamines, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. Drugs only eliminate the symptoms of allergies, they do not normalize the functioning of the immune system. Some antihistamines cause drowsiness, which means they are contraindicated for crane operators, drivers and representatives whose profession requires increased attention.

The drugs cause drowsiness in children, which adversely affects their daily routine. In addition, drowsiness negatively affects the ability to adequately receive information.

Studies have been conducted, during which, in the fight against an allergic reaction to citrus fruits, preparations made on the basis of silicon have shown good results. In addition, they are harmless, and affect the very source of allergies. However, the scheme of application must be agreed with the allergist.

Allergy to citrus

Allergy to citrus- This is a type of food allergy in which the allergens are the components of citrus fruits and the substances used to process these fruits. Manifestations of this syndrome include skin reactions, reactions of the mucous membranes, disorders of the respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive systems. Diagnosis is carried out on the basis of anamnesis, as well as by setting skin tests outside the period of exacerbation. As a treatment, modern allergology suggests using the method of specific immunotherapy. Symptomatic treatment includes taking antihistamines and hormonal drugs, enterosorbents.

Allergy to citrus

An allergy to citrus fruits is considered in allergology as a kind of food allergy - a specific hypersensitivity to an external foreign irritant that enters the body with food. The substances that trigger such an allergic reaction, in this case, are the components of citrus fruits. Many allergists and immunologists believe that chemicals used to treat fruits to maintain an attractive appearance for buyers play a significant role in the development of an allergy to citrus fruits. Most often, diphenyl is used for these purposes - an active compound without color, taste and smell, and fungicides and sulfuric gas are used to protect against insects and other pests. It should also be noted that the human enzyme system usually adapts to foods that are common to the area in which he was born and raised, which increases the risk of food allergies when eating foods that are exotic for this geographical region, which is what citrus fruits are for us.

The prevalence of this pathology in our country is associated with the deterioration of the overall environmental well-being, coupled with the increased level of imports of citrus fruits from China, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco over the past decades. A person who had previously eaten, for example, a couple of orange slices for the New Year, could not even guess that his body would respond to the regular use of this fruit with a pathological hypersensitivity reaction. Most often, such an allergy is acquired.

Causes of Citrus Allergy

Citrus fruits are classified as products of a high degree of allergenic activity. If an allergy to citrus fruits occurs, the allergen may be a high-molecular component of citrus - usually a protein compound with antigenic activity. Just like alien ones, special chemicals can be perceived by the body, which are used to process the fruits to preserve their presentation, extend the shelf life, and make them more attractive to the buyer. Of no small importance is the high content of liquid and sugar in citrus fruits - because of this, if stored improperly, the fruits quickly become moldy, which, in turn, is also a strong allergen. Storing citrus fruits next to other moldy foods promotes cross-contamination - fungal particles can end up on the fruit, even if the storage conditions are fully observed.

Additional factors in the occurrence of an allergy to citrus fruits can be a genetic tendency to allergic diseases or other immune pathologies, congenital or acquired decreased immunity, impaired functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system. The frequency and quantity of citrus fruits eaten, as well as the age at which the antigen first enters the body, all significantly affect the body's susceptibility to the allergen.

Citrus Allergy Symptoms

An allergic reaction occurs almost immediately, usually 10-15 minutes is enough for the development of the first symptoms. External signs of allergy persist from forty minutes to several days. The range of symptoms is quite wide, due to the fact that the disease affects various organs and systems of human organs.

Very often, especially in pediatric patients, such an allergy is manifested by skin reactions, namely the development of an unpleasant rash, itching, redness, urticaria, eczema. Eye syndrome is expressed in the form of allergic conjunctivitis: swelling, itching, redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes, lacrimation occurs. Respiratory manifestations range from allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion, mucus flow) to bronchospasm, accompanied by wheezing and choking attacks. On the part of the digestive system, the following pathological reactions can be observed - stomach pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting. Less common are hearing loss and dizziness associated with low blood pressure.

In severe forms of allergic reactions, life-threatening symptoms may appear, such as Quincke's edema - a pronounced, rapidly developing angioedema, asthmatic attack, anaphylactic shock. Without the immediate provision of specialized emergency medical care and further monitoring of the state of health by an allergist-immunologist, such complications can lead to death.

Diagnosis is carried out on the basis of the collected anamnesis, the establishment by the attending physician of the connection between the fact of taking the product and the onset of symptoms. Since an allergy to citrus fruits is most often an acquired condition, the diagnostician should pay attention to both the functioning of the digestive and excretory systems, and the patient's immune status. Since the genetic nature of the disease cannot be ruled out, the doctor should request and analyze the patient's family history. In the process of choosing a treatment regimen, it is important to distinguish between an allergy to citrus fruits and an individual food intolerance to a particular product.

Recognize hypersensitivity to citruses using skin tests, set by the scarification method or the prick test method. A few days before such a test, the patient should stop taking symptomatic treatment (antihistamines or hormonal drugs) in order to avoid false negative results. The test is carried out using aqueous-salt solutions of protein-polysaccharide complexes isolated from the fruit pulp. On the skin of the inner side of the forearm treated with a disinfectant, droplets of liquid with an allergen and a test liquid are applied to exclude false results. Through the applied drop with sterile individual instruments - a lancet or a needle - scratches or injections are applied with a depth of about 1 mm. In the case of a positive result, the reaction is observed fifteen to twenty minutes after the start of the test, it lasts up to forty minutes. Since such a test is specific, it allows you to isolate a certain type of provoking allergen, and optimize the patient's diet accordingly.

Citrus Allergy Treatment

Symptomatic treatment is prescribed depending on the severity and severity of signs of allergy. These can be antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine) or hormonal drugs (prednisolone). Antihistamine ointments are used to relieve skin symptoms, and vasoconstrictor sprays and drops are used to eliminate nasal congestion.

To remove traces of the allergen from the body, the doctor prescribes sorbents. The sorbent has a detoxifying effect, adsorbs antigen residues and toxic metabolic products on its surface, prevents their absorption and reduces the intensity of external manifestations of allergic reactions.

Specific immunotherapy is carried out by sequential administration of an increasing dose of the allergen, starting from the minimum values. It is able to save the patient from allergies for a long time. Since in the case of this type of allergy, the allergen is quite easy to exclude from the diet, a kind of etiotropic therapy is to avoid eating citrus fruits. A skin test will help determine which fruit is causing the hypersensitivity reaction, in some cases it will be possible to exclude only it, not necessarily abstaining from all citrus fruits.

Prediction and prevention of citrus allergy

In order to avoid the occurrence of repeated pathological reactions, it is enough to refrain from using the allergenic product. People suffering from allergies, and especially patients with a history of complicated allergic reactions, must always have antihistamines available, as well as an injection of adrenaline in case of angioedema or anaphylactic shock. Faced with an episode of allergies in yourself or a loved one, it is better not to put off going to an allergist-immunologist - the disease can threaten life-threatening sudden complications.

Allergy to citrus fruits - treatment in Moscow

Directory of Diseases

Allergic diseases

Last news

is for informational purposes only

and is not a substitute for qualified medical care.

Allergy to citrus fruits in adults and children: causes, symptoms and treatment

Allergic reactions are intolerance to certain types of foods. The disease can begin to bother both from childhood and at a more mature age - at 30, 40 or even 50 years old.

Clinical picture

What doctors say about antihistamines

Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Emelyanov G.V. Medical practice: more than 30 years.
Practical medical experience: more than 30 years

According to the latest WHO data, it is allergic reactions in the human body that lead to the occurrence of most deadly diseases. And it all starts with the fact that a person has an itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, red spots on the skin, in some cases suffocation.

7 million people die every year due to allergies, and the scale of the lesion is such that the allergic enzyme is present in almost every person.

Unfortunately, in Russia and the CIS countries, pharmacy corporations sell expensive drugs that only relieve symptoms, thereby putting people on one drug or another. That is why in these countries there is such a high percentage of diseases and so many people suffer from "non-working" drugs.

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.

An allergy to citrus fruits in children can be in the case of:

  1. Heredity. In this case, the allergy to citrus fruits is transmitted to the child even before his birth.
  2. Failures in the functioning of the immune system. As a result of these failures, the body reacts incorrectly to the protein of the consumed product (antigen) and an allergic reaction occurs.
  3. 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 types of foods.

Causes of Citrus Allergy in Adults

Citrus allergy in adults is usually associated with other causes. Often, intolerance to these fruits is associated with diseases of the stomach, liver, or dysbacteriosis.

The only thing that can provoke the appearance of allergies in both a child and an adult is an overdose of citrus fruits. Therefore, it is worth eating them within reason.

Allergy to citrus fruits: symptoms in children

In childhood, allergies in most cases arise 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.
  • Redness of the eyes.
  • Pain syndrome.
  • Severe itching on the skin.
  • The appearance of a dry cough, which is in the nature of seizures.

In more complex cases, flatulence, abdominal cramps, vomiting or diarrhea, and lack of appetite may occur.

In order not to aggravate the situation even more, you must immediately exclude from the diet the product that caused the allergic reaction.

How does an allergy to citrus fruits manifest in adults?

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 contact of the fetus with the skin or during the use of natural cosmetics with citrus extracts.

In most cases, an allergy to citrus fruits in adults manifests itself in the form of conjunctivitis or acute rhinitis.

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!

Diagnosis of Allergy to Citrus Fruits

Diagnosis is based on the collected history, laboratory tests and clinical picture.

Be sure to trace the relationship between eating a possible allergen (in this case, citrus fruits) and the occurrence of allergic reactions. In addition, skin samples are taken and compared with the enzymes of orange, tangerine and lemon to make sure that the allergy has arisen on these, and not any other products.

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 will 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.

Medication for citrus allergy

Before starting allergy treatment, 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 while inhaling 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 carried out with the help of the following drugs:

1. Antihistamines.

Most often, drugs based on cromoglycic acid (Cromoglin, Narcon) are prescribed. In addition, anti-allergy drugs such as Zirtek, Claritin, Kestin are popular.

The course of therapy with these drugs can be up to three months.

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 are activated carbon and Smekta.

Medicinal ointments and creams help relieve skin irritation, reduce itching and redness, and have a healing effect.

Most often, Celestoderm or Elok is prescribed.

4. Hormonal agents.

They are used only as prescribed by a doctor and in exceptional cases. This applies to situations where antihistamines have not brought absolutely no effect.

The course of treatment with hormonal drugs is the most minimal.

In addition to the main means to eliminate allergic reactions, an additional course of adjustment of the body's immune response is carried out with the help of immunomodulators and vitamins.

Folk remedies for the treatment of allergies

The main treatment of allergies should occur with the help of medications and with the complete exclusion of the irritant. However, 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.

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 cleanse the blood, reduce skin rashes and strengthen the immune system.

Allergies to citrus fruits 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 closely monitor changes in well-being.

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.

Treatment of 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 if there is no 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 has returned, this indicates some hidden problems of the body, therefore, in order to identify them, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination.

An allergy is the body's response to exposure to substances it cannot tolerate. It can be food - for various food products, and non-food - for dust, odors, animal hair, etc. Allergic reactions of this kind can occur in both children and adults. Moreover, this is not always an innate feature. Sometimes a person can acquire an allergy in adulthood. Of all the types, the most common food allergy is citrus fruits, the treatment and causes of which we will consider in our article. Let's start with the factors that provoke the appearance of such a reaction. It is important to know them in order to prevent the disease.

Allergies passed from parents to children

Why is there an allergy to citrus fruits? Despite the fact that allergy is a rather ancient disease, the problem of its occurrence to any substances has not been fully studied so far. However, scientists and physicians around the world continue to actively work on the study of the causes and features of its development, since today the number of people suffering from this disease is, unfortunately, increasing.

According to doctors, most allergy sufferers inherit this feature from their parents or other relatives, and there are enough cases when one of the parents was allergic to one product, and the child was allergic to some other. This is due to the fact that the inheritance is not a specific disease, but a tendency to it in general. Most allergy sufferers suffer from intolerance to several foods.

Allergen product

Why is citrus allergy most common? The photo shows how it can manifest itself. Citrus fruits are loved by many children and adults. These fruits are called a storehouse of vitamin C, so they are extremely useful, but, unfortunately, do not grow in our latitudes. Biologists have long proved that a person should consume only those plant products that grow in his latitudes.

It is the “native” vegetables and fruits that can benefit the body, which, in turn, will not respond to their use with various allergic reactions. All citrus fruits are unnatural for a person from the middle latitudes. This means that his body cannot adapt to their use. Therefore, it responds with an allergy to the intake of such products. This also applies to other exotic fruits, but still to a greater extent citrus fruits, since they, among other things, contain very strong esters. They exacerbate the already complex task of the body.

It has been proven that an allergy to citrus fruits can develop not from eating them, but from the banal inhalation of the esters they emit. So, an allergic reaction can easily occur in a person prone to this disease, if someone next to him cleaned and ate such a fruit. Inhalation of various perfumes, cosmetics and household chemicals that contain natural citrus flavors can also trigger the onset of this condition. That is why people prone to allergies should avoid any contact with a substance that the body does not perceive.

Drugs used to treat fruits

A fairly common cause of an allergy to citrus fruits is not the fruits themselves, but the preparations with which they are processed. In order for fruits to grow big, even, bright, resistant to various diseases and pests, chemicals such as diphenyl, metal bromide, sulfur dioxide, etc. are used. In addition to ensuring an excellent harvest, these substances "prolong the life" of fruits in order to they could be exported to various countries and stored for a long time on supermarket shelves. Getting on the surface of the fruit, some of these substances penetrate into the pulp, and if they are not washed enough before eating, you can get a dose of harmful chemicals along with vitamins. These substances are usually odorless and tasteless, so they go unnoticed by the buyer.

An allergy to citrus fruits in a child manifests itself somewhat more often than in an adult, since the child's body is not yet strong enough to deal with the effects of aggressive allergens. The same applies to people whose immunity is reduced for any reason - a long illness, diets and starvation, taking antibiotics, etc.

How does a citrus allergy manifest itself?

When the body is exposed to various substances, it can respond to them with one of the following reactions:

1. Frequent sneezing, itching, sore throat - sensations characteristic of colds.

2. Itching and pain in the eyes, increased lacrimation, redness of the eyeballs in the complex is called allergic conjunctivitis.

3. Changes in the skin: rashes, redness, hives, eczema, etc.

4. Allergic enterocolitis, manifested as a slight relaxation of the intestines and flatulence.

5. Increased blood pressure.

6. Difficulty in breathing.

7. Anaphylactic shock that develops in acute cases of allergy. The most dangerous condition that can lead to the death of a person.

The symptoms of a citrus allergy can easily be confused with a cold, food poisoning, or other ailment. However, it is extremely important to recognize the reaction in time in order to eliminate the source of irritation and prevent further development of the disease. In the event of an acute reaction to an allergen, an ambulance should be called. In this way, the deterioration of the patient's condition can be avoided.

Allergy in children

Symptoms of an allergy to citrus fruits in adults are somewhat milder than in children. Therefore, it is so important to monitor the condition of the child, especially infancy, so as not to miss an attack of the reaction and take timely measures to stop it. If a baby who is breastfed or formula-fed develops a rash, redness or other symptoms of unknown origin, parents should immediately consult a doctor. This may indicate an allergy triggered by certain drugs, cosmetics, or milk, which partially contains substances from the products used by the mother.

What is the treatment for citrus allergy? It is impossible to cure this. You can only temporarily eliminate the reaction. In order to remove or reduce the manifestations of allergies, various medications are used. There are quite a few of them today. The preparations "Claritin", "Zirtek", "Kestin", "Ksizal" have good reviews from patients. However, in order not to harm yourself even more, the patient should consult an allergist. It is he who will select the drug that is suitable in a particular case.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the doctor will carefully examine the patient, exclude scabies, psoriasis or other diseases that have similar symptoms. After that, he will select the drug, talk about the method and doses of its use, give advice on nutrition and lifestyle. In most cases, following the doctor's recommendations leads to a successful result.

The most common treatments for citrus allergy in adults are medication, diet, and physical therapy.

New Treatments

With the development of medicine, new ways to deal with this disease have appeared, such as immunotherapy and the use of glucocorticoids.

The essence of the new method of treatment: the patient receives intravenously a small dose of a substance that is an allergen for him. Then the dose is slightly increased. As a result, the body begins to produce antibodies that block the action of the allergen. As a rule, such a procedure is quite expensive. However, its effect lasts for several years, which can be especially important in case of a tendency to an acute course of allergic reactions.

Glucocorticosteroids are anti-allergic drugs of a new generation. They are more effective than traditional means. However, they also have a number of contraindications. You can buy glucocorticosteroids only by prescription and in the specified amount.

To relieve acute symptoms, sorbents can be prescribed - substances aimed at combating the intoxication of the body caused by the allergen.

Folk remedies

In addition to medicinal methods for the treatment of allergies, folk remedies are widely used. Many of them are really effective. However, before testing the effect of an unfamiliar, albeit plant, substance, you should consult a doctor. There are frequent cases of contacting medical institutions with food poisoning that arose against the background of improperly performed allergy treatment at home.

The most popular means used by the people are the following:

1. Honey, propolis and other bee products. Being one of the most common allergens, bee products at the same time can help in the fight against this disease. Their use should be extremely dosed and careful. Most often, you can find such tips as chewing honeycombs, drinking water with honey and applying it to places of redness, rashes and itching.

2. Herbal decoctions. For the treatment of allergies, herbs such as oregano, wormwood, hops, duckweed, St. John's wort and others can be used. However, these plants have quite strong medicinal properties. Therefore, the use of decoctions from them should be, again, careful. In one of the recipes, it is recommended to take 200 grams of dry grass (of the same type or different in equal parts) and pour a liter of boiling water. The resulting herbal tea should be infused for five hours, after which you can use it inside 200 ml three times a day.

Prevention

The best way to deal with any disease and allergies in particular is prevention. In order to prevent the development of allergies, it is necessary to avoid the use of an allergenic product in large quantities (citrus fruits, honey, chocolate, peanuts, seafood, etc.).

You should also get rid of dust in the apartment in a timely manner, and it is better to place your favorite indoor plants with bright colors away from places where family members spend most of their time. Expectant mothers should do everything to ensure that the child is not born allergic. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to eat vegetables and fruits brought from other countries, as well as any products that can cause allergies.

Conclusion

Our article provided information on how an allergy to citrus fruits manifests itself, why these fruits are most often able to cause such a reaction. Advice was also given on what to do in a similar situation. We hope the article was useful and informative.

Negative reaction of the body or allergy to citrus fruits: symptoms, photo manifestations and rules for the safe use of fragrant fruits

Allergy to citrus appears with increased sensitivity to the components contained in juicy fruits or with excessive consumption of fragrant fruits. Skin reactions often develop in children, but sometimes itching, rash, redness of the epidermis appear in adults.

How to prevent acute and mild negative reactions to oranges, tangerines, grapefruits? How to treat an allergy that develops after eating citrus fruits? How to protect the body from the negative effects of salicylates? Answers in the article.

Causes

Most patients who experience a negative reaction to citrus fruits have a false allergy. The main difference from the true variety is that immunoglobulins (specific antibodies) do not participate in the body's response to an irritant.

Indosyncrasy is an intolerance to certain substances contained in foods. Allergy to citrus fruits (ICD code - 10 - T78.1) is not a separate disease: most often there is not a monoreaction, but a cross-negative response of the body.

Negative symptoms are caused by certain substances:

  • citruses contain salicylates, tyramine, and also histidine - an amino acid from which the body synthesizes the protein histamine. The release of the active component increases the permeability of capillaries, causes skin reactions, swelling, enhances the sensitization of the body;
  • the more provocative substance (trigger) penetrates the body, the brighter the negative response to the stimulus;
  • the active components contained in the "sunny" fruits provoke a powerful release of histamine without the inclusion of immune system cells in the process. The result of the reaction is often no less severe than with a true allergy: Quincke's edema and anaphylaxis are possible in children.

The main factor that provokes skin reactions is a large number of juicy fruits eaten at a time or throughout the day. Histidine, salicylates, tyramine cause a negative response. The danger increases with the use of citrus fruits by young children with a weak digestive system, a tendency to dysbacteriosis.

Learn about the symptoms of an egg allergy in a child, as well as treatment for the condition.

About the symptoms and methods of treatment of walnut allergy in adults and children are written on this page.

There are other reasons that provoke a negative response to citrus fruits:

  • dysbacteriosis;
  • hereditary predisposition to true allergies (less than 1-3% of cases);
  • hepatic pathologies;
  • penetration into the body of chemicals with which citruses are processed for better storage;
  • mold spores in the peel of rotten fruits.

Characteristic signs and symptoms

After eating citrus fruits with true and false allergies, negative signs develop:

  • redness of the epidermis;
  • sensation of heat;
  • rashes on the hands, cheeks, chin;
  • dyspnea;
  • hives;
  • dyspeptic phenomena;
  • Strong headache.

With excessive use of citrus fruits, more often oranges, pronounced vegetovascular dystonia may appear, blood pressure may rise or fall sharply. With the development of weak signs, you will need to consult a therapist and an allergist, with severe symptoms, Quincke's edema and the risk of suffocation, you cannot do without calling an ambulance.

General rules and effective methods of treatment

Most often, an allergic reaction to the components contained in juicy citruses is false, immune cells do not participate in the body's response. For this reason, it is easier to eliminate negative signs, to prevent the reappearance of rashes, hyperemia, and allergic itching than with true allergies.

  • adhere to the rules of therapy prescribed by the doctor;
  • for a while forget about "sunny fruits;"
  • check with your doctor which foods cause cross-allergies.

Diet and nutrition rules

When an allergy to citrus fruits is confirmed, doctors prescribe an elimination hypoallergenic diet. The main rule is the exclusion of hazardous products. For six months or more, it is forbidden to consume lemons, tangerines, oranges, and other citrus fruits from the list. Not only juicy fruits are banned, but also cosmetics, perfumes, drinks, desserts containing essential oils and citrus extract.

The elimination diet lasts 4-6 months, then the patient consumes the minimum amount of pulp, for example, a couple of slices of tangerine, looks at the reaction of the body. An important point is to control the condition of the skin, various organs and systems for two to three days: sometimes a delayed-type reaction develops.

According to the results of the experiment, doctors conclude:

  • option one. A small amount of citrus does not cause negative reactions, there are no rashes, redness, swelling of tissues. The initial reason for the negative response is excessive consumption of juicy fruits. If you eat oranges, lemons, tangerines little by little, unpleasant signs will not appear;
  • option two. Even a minimal amount of "sunny" fruits provokes skin reactions, shortness of breath, swelling of tissues. Some patients develop bronchospasm, angioedema is observed, and an ambulance is needed. Such a reaction indicates a true allergy, an in-depth examination will be required, revealing the hidden causes of sensitization of the body.

It is important to abandon all types of tropical fruits. Some names cause a stronger reaction, others - a weaker one, but during the period of the elimination diet, it is unacceptable to use, use in everyday life all types of highly allergenic "sunny" fruits, oils and natural extracts. Among the fragrant fruits, there are familiar names and more exotic ones, obtained by crossing different species, but all of them are dangerous with a tendency to food allergies.

  • mandarin;
  • grapefruit;
  • lemon;
  • orange;
  • agli (grapefruit + tangerine);
  • clementine;
  • pomelo. The largest type of citrus;
  • bergamot (citron + orange);
  • kumquat or chinese golden orange. Small oval fruits (up to 2.5 cm);
  • lime sweet, desert, finger and real;
  • royal tangerine (large fruit, a cross between an orange and a tangerine);
  • mineola (a hybrid obtained by crossing a Duncan grapefruit with a Dancy tangerine);
  • citrus Kombava;
  • youth An exotic fruit with a pronounced citrus aroma;
  • orange or chironha;
  • retinue. Hybrid of white grapefruit and pomelo;
  • citron finger and Wilson.

Medical therapy

When a negative reaction to any type of citrus fruit is confirmed, doctors prescribe a complex of drugs:

  • antihistamines. With mild and moderate signs: Claritin, Erius, Zirtek, Feksadin, Cetrin, Loratadin, Cetirizine, Xizal, Aleron. With acute reactions, severe swelling: Tavegil, Suprastin, Fenkarol, Diazolin, Diphenhydramine;
  • sorbents for allergies. White coal, Laktofiltrum, Multisorb, Enterosgel, Polysorb, Smekta, Sorbeks;
  • calcium preparations to strengthen the immune system, increase the body's resistance. Gluconate or calcium chloride;
  • softening, moisturizing, anti-allergic ointments and creams. In case of an acute reaction, a large amount of rashes, severe itching, local remedies will be needed: Fenistil-gel, Bepanten, Psilo-balm, Desitin, La-Cree, Skin-Cap, Protopic.

Folk remedies and recipes

Pseudo-allergy to citrus fruits is accompanied by skin reactions. In some cases, the area of ​​​​rashes is small, but with a large number of oranges or tangerines, an excess of salicylates provokes active rashes.

Therapeutic baths well relieve itching, reduce irritation and swelling, soften the epidermis. Useful procedures with decoctions of medicinal herbs prevent the inflammatory process, which often develops when an infection enters wounds and microcracks during scratching.

Plants for the preparation of medicinal decoctions:

Learn about the benefits and harms of hirudotherapy in the treatment of allergic diseases.

The use of prednisolone injections to relieve severe allergy symptoms is written on this page.

How to prepare a decoction for a medicinal bath:

  • Pour into a bowl 2 tbsp. l. any type of raw material or make a collection of two or three components;
  • pour a liter of boiling water, boil the product for 2 minutes (oak bark - a quarter of an hour), leave under the lid for 45-50 minutes;
  • filter the liquid through gauze, pour into the bath. A useful procedure lasts from 15 to 20 minutes, the water is warm, not burning the skin;
  • after a therapeutic bath, it is not necessary to wash off the herbal decoction.

With a small amount of rashes, the healing liquid is useful for lotions or compresses.

Allergy to citrus fruits in children

Bright, ripe fruits with a pleasant aroma, juicy pulp, light sourness - a temptation for children. It is difficult to resist not to eat a couple more oranges. Sometimes a child manages to secretly swallow half a kilo or more of tangerines, drink a couple of glasses of delicious multifruit juice from their parents.

The consequences of a rash act are serious:

  • rashes appear on the skin, swelling develops;
  • body itches;
  • with high sensitization of the body, a dangerous reaction is possible - anaphylactic shock.
  • find out how many citruses the child ate, check the information: you need to find peels to establish whether the son or daughter is telling the truth. These data are important for the allergist and emergency doctors;
  • give more water plus a sorbent tablet to remove excess salicylates and tyramine from the body as soon as possible. Effective sorbent preparations: Multisorb, Enterosgel, Smecta, Laktofiltrum, Sorbeks, White or activated carbon;
  • give the child a special antiallergic drug for children. The liquid form of antihistamines is suitable for young children. Drops are allowed from 12 months (children under one year old are prescribed the drug Zirtek, Fenistil), syrups - from 2-4 years (Tsetrin, Zodak, Erius, Claritin, Tavegil). From the age of 6 or 12, you can take allergy pills.

Preventing the development of pseudo-allergy to citrus is simple:

  • thoroughly wash the peel before peeling the fruit, to remove mold, dirt, chemicals. Before buying, carefully inspect the fruit, if rot, “voids” under the peel are detected, choose others;
  • eat no more than one large fruit every 2-3 days or three or four pieces of small citrus fruits for the same period;
  • with increased sensitization of the body, confirmed food allergies, use tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, other "sunny" fruits less often and in a minimal amount, or completely abandon useful, but dangerous fruits for the body.

You can learn more about safe and effective treatments for citrus fruit allergy in the following video:

  • Alena — Effective methods of treating allergic dermatitis in adults and children with the help of medicines and traditional medicine 2
  • Sergey – Food allergy to onion: symptoms and treatment of pathology with the help of medications 2
  • Lubov - How to recognize atopic dermatitis in infants: photos of manifestations, advice to parents, rules for the treatment and prevention of recurrence of the disease 1
  • Eugene - Allergy to ascorbic acid: symptoms and treatment, a list of foods with vitamin C 1
  • Marina — Effective methods of treating allergies around the eyes with antihistamines and folk remedies 1

Post Views: 132

Drawing conclusions

Allergy is a disease that is characterized by a malfunction of the immune system associated with the recognition of a potential threat to the body. Subsequently, there is a violation of the work of tissues and organs, characteristic of the inflammatory process. Allergies are caused by the body trying to get rid of substances that it considers harmful.

This leads to the development of numerous allergy symptoms:

  • Swelling of the throat or mouth.
  • Difficulty swallowing and/or speaking.
  • Rash anywhere on the body.
  • Redness and itching of the skin.
  • Abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.
  • Sudden feeling of weakness.
  • A sharp drop in blood pressure.
  • Weak and fast pulse.
  • Dizziness and loss of consciousness.
Even one of these symptoms should make you think. And if there are two of them, then do not hesitate - you have an allergy.

How to treat allergies when there are a large number of drugs that cost a lot of money?

Most medicines won't do any good, and some can even hurt! At the moment, the only medicine that is officially recommended by the Ministry of Health for the treatment of allergies is this.

Until February 26th. The Institute of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, together with the Ministry of Health, is implementing a program " without allergies". Within which the drug is available for only 149 rubles , to all residents of the city and region!
Similar posts