One of the favorite tropical fruits sold in every supermarket is kiwi. Its other name is Chinese gooseberry. The fruit is considered dietary and is very beneficial for human health. The pulp contains iron, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, flavonoids, vitamins A, C, E, K, group B. Just one fruit is enough to provide yourself with the daily norm of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The fruit activates cellular metabolism, strengthens the heart and blood vessels, removes “bad” cholesterol, improves digestion, serves to prevent urolithiasis and hypertension, helps preserve youth, and has a beneficial effect on skin and hair. But some people are forced to give up this wonderful product because they are allergic to kiwi.
Composition and benefits of the fruit
Kiwi is a source of vitamin C. This fruit also contains a large amount of beneficial microelements, fiber, carbohydrates and proteins. By many criteria, kiwi is a leader among other exotic fruits.
Fruit composition:
- vitamins B2, B6, B9, A, E, C;
- a nicotinic acid;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- sodium;
- calcium;
- iron;
- phosphorus.
This product is indispensable for those who want to lose weight.
Interesting! Kiwi contains more vitamin C than oranges and currants. It is most useful for colds and flu.
Regular consumption of this fruit effectively improves immunity. This helps strengthen the protective and regenerative function. Thanks to this, a person becomes resistant to stress.
In addition to its beneficial properties, this product is capable of producing a healing effect. It has a good effect on the functioning of the heart, normalizes metabolic processes, improves digestion, and prevents the development of oncology.
With regular use, you can feel the beneficial effects on the body. It is recommended to take it as a prophylaxis against rheumatism and urolithiasis. Significantly improves the function of the respiratory system.
People who love salty and spicy foods need to eat one such fruit for dessert. It will help avoid heartburn, remove salt from the body, and burn fat. Therefore, with its help you can lose weight faster.
You can make cosmetics from it. For example, face masks. They make the skin soft, give natural color and shine. Kiwi also strengthens blood vessels and promotes proper blood circulation.
Delicious kiwi as a cause of allergies
Is kiwi an allergenic product or not?
It will be useful for many people to know: is kiwi an allergen or not? This is an exotic fruit. For this reason, it is an irritant. But considering all such fruits, kiwi is the safest in terms of allergenicity.
If the child is under one year old, doctors do not recommend giving it to him. To prevent the development of allergies, women should use this product with caution during pregnancy and lactation. Kiwi is introduced into the diet of young children, following the rules of complementary feeding.
Possible allergens
Tyramine, which is part of the fruit, can cause liver diseases and disrupt the microflora in the intestines. Against this background, allergic reactions may occur. Question: is kiwi an allergenic product or not? Often interested in young mothers. This fruit can cause severe food allergies.
Once in the digestive system, allergens begin to accumulate. This is accompanied by the appearance of characteristic symptoms. Vitamin C has a protective function for the body, but despite this, it is an allergen.
Causes and reaction mechanism
The main reason for the development of a reaction to this fruit lies in its composition.
Amino acids, salicylates, benzoates can cause allergies and pseudo-reactions. Congenital pathology is rare. Pathology can occur due to the influence of several irritants. The disease occurs when a large amount of allergenic substances accumulate in the body. Then the immune system rejects them and produces antibodies. The reaction in this case may be accompanied by severe symptoms. Often the reaction occurs in an adult.
In a child, allergies go away faster, and complications can rarely occur. The protein in the fruit is also the cause of the body’s aggressive reaction. Kiwi is prohibited from being consumed in large quantities by people with gastrointestinal diseases.
Important! Small seeds in kiwi strongly irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Therefore, it should be used with great caution.
Cross shape
The presence of food allergies often causes cross-reactions. If you have hypersensitivity to kiwi, doctors recommend excluding the following foods from your diet:
- nuts of all types (especially hazelnuts);
- bananas;
- pineapples;
- papaya;
- any citrus fruit;
- all exotic fruits.
Allergy sufferers should always follow a hypoallergenic diet. Doctors recommend consuming new products with extreme caution and in minimal quantities.
Causes
The main cause of allergies is the ingestion of specific substances into the human body - amino acids, salicylates, benzoates. They can cause both allergies and pseudo-allergies in a person; in addition, tyramine , being a very strong allergen, can provoke disturbances in the liver and dysbacteriosis.
Pseudo-allergy to kiwi manifests itself due to the influence of enzymes such as actinidin and enzymes , they are involved in the absorption of protein, and amino acids cause a pseudo-allergic reaction.
How is an allergy from kiwi expressed?
Signs of a reaction to kiwi are similar to fruits high in vitamin C. Symptoms will first appear on the skin: redness, itching, rash. Then the respiratory organs and digestive system react. The reaction may be accompanied by angioedema and anaphylactic shock.
Symptoms in adults
Allergies in adults are characterized by more severe symptoms than in children. These include:
- swelling of the tongue, lips, larynx;
- feeling of a “lump” in the throat;
- redness and irritation of mucous membranes (including eyes);
- rash in the throat and mouth;
- hives;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- nausea, vomiting;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- frequent sneezing;
- headaches, dizziness;
- allergic rhinitis, cough;
- labored breathing;
- insomnia;
- a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
An allergy to kiwi in adults may occur after repeated consumption of this fruit. Such symptoms should be taken very seriously. If they are not eliminated in time, the risk of developing the most complex form – anaphylaxis – increases. She requires immediate medical attention. Otherwise it will cause death.
Signs in a child
In a child with an allergy to kiwi, the symptoms usually appear in a mild form. These include:
- redness of the skin, rash, severe itching;
- swelling of the lips, tongue;
- sneezing;
- tearfulness;
- dyspnea;
- diarrhea, vomiting;
- stomach ache.
The child should be diagnosed and the allergen identified and eliminated as quickly as possible.
Although symptoms in children may subside quickly, the risk of complications cannot be ruled out.
Diagnostics
To make an accurate diagnosis, you should immediately consult an allergist or immunologist, since reactions to kiwi are similar to some other diseases. The diagnosis method includes the following procedures:
- Immunofluorescence analysis.
- Allergy tests.
- Skin tests.
Carrying out these tests is necessary in order not to confuse an allergy to kiwi with psoriasis and skin dermatitis.
How to identify what the reaction is to?
Only a doctor can determine what has become an allergenic product. Initially, he conducts a visual examination, taking into account the patient’s complaints. It is also important to take into account the patient's medical history.
In order to identify the provocateur, diagnostic methods are used. For this purpose, laboratory research and tests are used.
Kiwi. Benefits and harms for the body.
Tests and samples
Skin tests and allergy tests are the most reliable method. A minimal amount of substances that may be allergens is injected under the skin. After a short period of time, the result is assessed. If the skin at the puncture site turns red, this confirms an allergy. Sometimes, in addition to redness, elements of a rash may appear.
Analyzes
Laboratory tests are not always reliable. For example, an increase in eosinophils and the presence of certain antibodies may indicate helminthic infestations. Therefore, such tests are carried out to confirm skin and provocative tests. To diagnose allergies, a basic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent blood test is performed.
Preventive measures
Whether there can be an allergy from kiwi, everyone should know in order to take measures to prevent the problem. If you have hypersensitivity, any contact with the fruit should be avoided. Don't even smell it.
Other people need to choose and consume fruit correctly to avoid deterioration in their health.
All fruits are treated with chemicals, so before eating they are thoroughly washed in warm water.
It is important to give preference to firm kiwis. It is better to buy slightly unripe ones and they will arrive in a few days, than to eat overripe fruits. If there are brown spots on the fruits, they should not be consumed.
How to treat the disease?
Treatment should be prescribed by an allergist. Depending on the form of the disease, therapeutic therapy is prescribed. Usually it is enough to avoid contact with the allergen. It is worth noting that a reaction can occur even to the smell of this fruit.
First aid
When being around a person who has an allergy, adults need to know how to provide first aid. Initially, you need to open access to fresh air. Then the victim is given a large amount of water and enterosorbents to drink. They will help remove the allergen from the body faster. After this, you need to take antihistamines.
If angioedema or anaphylactic shock occurs, you should immediately call an ambulance. Allergy sufferers should always have medications in their first aid kit for this case, to provide first aid. Severe symptoms can often occur in adults.
Medicines
For moderate and severe forms, doctors prescribe antihistamines.
Among them are the popular ones: Zyrtec, Claritin, Suprastin, Tavegil. The allergist prescribes the dosage on an individual basis, taking into account the patient’s condition and age. For children, antihistamines are prescribed in the form of syrup and drops. They are intended for children from 3 months of age. If even one allergy symptom occurs, enterosorbents are prescribed. They cleanse the body of toxins and allergens.
To treat skin manifestations and urticaria, moisturizing creams and hormonal ointments are prescribed. They prevent the appearance of new elements and speed up the remission process.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine cannot be considered an effective allergy treatment. Especially when it comes to food reactions. Herbal decoctions in most cases can be strong allergens. Therefore, such drugs can be taken, if there are no contraindications, after being prescribed by a doctor.
It is usually recommended to use herbal decoctions for bathing or lotions. They help with redness and irritation of the skin. Reduces the manifestations of urticaria. Only hypoallergenic herbs are used: chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort.
Important! You cannot use folk remedies for young children without a doctor’s recommendation. They have an undeveloped immune system and this can aggravate the course of the disease.
Hypoallergenic diet
This diet consists of the complete exclusion of allergenic foods.
Particular attention should be paid to those that may cause cross-reaction. A person must follow such a diet throughout his life, and especially during the period of allergies. Before choosing products, you should carefully read their composition.
Many may contain a hidden allergen. For some people, even a small amount can cause a severe reaction.
Prevention
The most important thing is to completely remove contact with the irritant. You should always carefully study the composition of products. The daily intake of kiwi for adults is a maximum of two pieces. For children, this amount should be reduced by 3-4 times. You should also review the composition of cosmetics - shampoos, creams, shower gels, balms, deodorants.
Kiwi is far from the most popular and necessary food product and component of cosmetics. For people who have been identified as intolerant, it will be easy to exclude all contact with this irritant, which means their quality of life will not suffer.
Treatment of the problem
First generation drugs.
Before treating any allergy, it is important to identify its source. Maybe the kiwi turns out to have nothing to do with it at all, and the body reacted to a completely different product or to dust mites altogether. In a child, determining the true cause is even more difficult, since similar symptoms can appear for a number of reasons. To do this, you need to quickly go to an allergist, who, using special samples, blood tests and some other tests, will determine the true cause of the disease. If the allergen really turns out to be kiwi, the doctor will recommend eliminating it from consumption and will also prescribe a course of antihistamines (suprastin, cetrin, claritin and others). For dermatitis and other skin rashes, there are medicinal ointments for external use (for example, Akriderm, Triderm). The doctor often prescribes immunotherapy - one of the effective methods of official medicine to get rid of allergic reactions. The essence of this method is simple, and the positive results will last for many years. To get rid of an allergy, a small dose of the allergen is administered to the patient, over the course of several weeks causing the patient’s immune system to gradually become accustomed to the irritant that provokes the symptoms. There are more radical measures to cure chronic allergies. This is extracorporeal hemocorrection or so-called gravitational surgery. The essence of this advanced method is to influence blood cells outside the body. In other words, the patient’s blood is cleared of harmful impurities and aggressive antibodies, which provoke allergy symptoms. Thus, the blood ceases to be dangerous to humans. By the way, this method treats not only allergies and bronchial asthma, but also a number of other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, and immunodeficiency.
