Symptomatic picture
Whether blueberries are an allergen for children and adults or not can be determined by the reaction they cause in some people:
- runny nose;
- cough, sneezing;
- urticaria, eczema;
- skin rash, itching.
Such signs allow us to give an affirmative answer to the question of whether a child or an adult may be allergic to the amazing blueberry.
The photo shows the manifestations of allergies:
The symptoms are not expressed in an acute form, respond well to treatment, but are fraught with the most complex exacerbations in the form of Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. In these cases, you should immediately seek help from specialists. In a medical facility, they first identify the cause that caused the allergy symptoms.
Allergic reactions associated with products can result in disruption of the gastrointestinal system (pain, nausea, vomiting). Sometimes it is difficult for specialists to make the correct diagnosis, since the symptoms of allergies, including to blueberries, are similar to the signs of food poisoning.
It is very important to go to the hospital in time, as there is a risk of death. It is necessary to find out the reason so that irreparable things do not happen when the next allergic attack occurs.
Blueberry allergy
Last update: 02/10/2020
Blueberries are a very healthy berry. Thanks to its vitamin-rich composition, it increases the body's defenses, has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system and digestive tract, and improves vision. However, in some cases, blueberries can still be dangerous to health: we are talking about the situation of the development of blueberry allergies in children and adults.
Do blueberries cause allergies?
This berry is an allergenic food.
Blueberries (as well as some other fruits and berries) contain a lot of salicylic acid, which can cause allergies. This means that while you are treating your blueberry allergy, you will have to avoid some foods that also contain salicylic acid. These include:
A prerequisite for the development of an allergy to blueberries may be heredity. Very often, the tendency to allergies is passed on from parents to children, so if a mother or father suffers from intolerance to any allergenic products, an atypical reaction may also be observed in their baby.
The cause of an allergy to blueberries may be due to improper processing of the berries during their ripening. It is best to eat blueberries that have grown in the wild and have not been treated with chemical fertilizers to speed up ripening and protect against disease.
Blueberries are both useful and dangerous: allergies in a child
Can blueberries cause allergies in a child? Unfortunately, it can. The appearance of an allergy to this berry may be due to its early introduction into complementary foods. Blueberries should be introduced to babies no earlier than 7-8 months.
It’s worth starting your acquaintance with one or two crushed berries, added to previously tried fruit mixtures and juices. Starting from one year of age, the amount of blueberries can be gradually increased to 30g per day.
A child may develop a tendency to allergies due to the mother's overuse of blueberry foods during breastfeeding. During pregnancy and lactation, a woman should abstain from this berry or consume it in small quantities.
Symptoms of blueberry allergy in an infant or older child are represented by the following signs:
- skin rashes;
- itching and dry skin;
- digestive system disorders (bloating, colic, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting);
- allergic rhinitis, sneezing, lacrimation, cough;
- in rare cases, Quincke's edema may develop - swelling of such areas of the body as the eyelids, lips, cheeks, tongue, and mucous membranes of the genital organs.
Diagnosis and treatment of blueberry allergy
Since an allergic reaction to this berry can be similar to simple food poisoning, an accurate diagnosis is necessary to prescribe effective therapy.
To do this, you need to visit an allergist, who will not only perform an examination, but also prescribe tests. Usually, to establish a diagnosis, a venous blood test for IgE antibodies is required, or, more precisely, for the body’s reaction to the f288 allergen.
This analysis is carried out to establish an atypical reaction to all berries of the lingonberry genus.
Your doctor may also recommend skin testing.
To carry them out, small superficial punctures or incisions are made on the patient's skin in the forearm area, onto which a small amount of different allergens is then applied.
Such tests help determine which allergen the patient has developed intolerance to if this cannot be determined through a blood test.
There is another way to find out whether blueberries cause an allergy, or whether there is sensitization to another product. To carry it out, the patient is asked to consume a small amount of berries on an empty stomach, while the doctor observes his reaction. Please note that such an experiment cannot be carried out without the supervision of a specialist.
Therapy is based on a hypoallergenic diet and the use of antihistamines. To treat skin manifestations of allergies, antipruritic and anti-inflammatory ointments and creams are used, and hormonal drops are used to combat allergic rhinitis.
Cream "La-Cri" will help in the fight against blueberry allergies
Despite the fact that La-Cri restorative cream is not a therapeutic agent, its use will effectively complement the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor.
Thanks to the natural ingredients included in its composition (including extracts of string, walnut, licorice, violet and many other useful substances), the La-Cri restorative cream relieves redness, fights rashes and has an anti-itching effect.
Clinical researches
Based on the results of numerous clinical studies, La-Cri products are recommended by the St. Petersburg branch of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia.
The effectiveness, safety and tolerability of the product for children and adults has been proven by a clinical study.
The product is also suitable for daily skin care of children with mild to moderate forms of atopic dermatitis and during remission, accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life of patients.
As a result of therapy, a decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process, a decrease in dryness, itching and flaking was noted.
For example, it has been clinically proven that La Cree cream for sensitive skin:
- reduces itching and irritation;
- relieves skin redness;
- moisturizes and gently cares for the skin.
Consumer Reviews
Maria_P about La-Cri cleansing gel (irecommend.ru)
“...Initially the bottle is in a box, inside there is an advertising insert for La-Cri products. The box has all the necessary information about the gel on all sides.
The bottle is made of white, matte plastic, the design is cute, even a little childish. The bottle has a pump dispenser, which is very convenient to use. When pressed, the required amount of gel is squeezed out
The gel can be used by both children (from birth) and adults. It can be used to wash your hands, face, body and use as a bubble bath. Suitable for permanent use.
I bought it more for my daughter, she is 12 years old and her hormones have already begun to “play.” The skin has become oily, inflammation appears, black spots appear... in general, all the delights of “adolescence on the face”
However, the skin at this age is still tender and sensitive and I would like a delicate cleansing gel
Consistency and smell
The consistency of the gel is semi-liquid, gel-like, transparent, but at the same time has a barely noticeable yellowish tint. Has a subtle, delicate aroma, slightly herbal
We used the gel to wash our face with our daughter every day for 2.5 months.
I also have problem skin - there may be inflammation, there are blackheads in the T-zone, sensitive skin
The gel foams well and is washed off the skin, I liked the composition - there are no dyes, fragrances, it contains walnut extract, olive and avocado oils, licorice extract... After using the gel, the skin is not dry, clean
helps with inflammation, my daughter’s inflammation went away and blackheads became less noticeable (my skin condition also improved) the gel is really suitable for sensitive skin, it gently cleanses it without causing an allergic reaction, and is economical to use. I liked the gel and repeated the purchase!”
Yulia Nizovtseva (flap.rf)
“Redness in a child is no longer scary!
I’m not afraid to use it on my child’s redness, and I often use the cream myself. There is always a tube in the first aid kit just in case, and such cases happen very often.
Especially in the summer, when it’s hot, there are irritations, heat rashes due to the heat, I apply the cream and everything goes away. I use it after a shower.
I apply just a little onto the skin and after 5 minutes there is nothing left, the cream is easily absorbed and does not remain on clothes.
It smells nice, the texture is light, the composition is natural, it helps, what else is needed for children's skin? I’m glad that I chose Lacri cream; it cannot be compared with many children’s products.”
Question sent successfully.
Thanks for your question! We will definitely respond as soon as possible!
Source: https://la-kry.ru/spravochnik/kozhnaya-allergiya/allergiya-na-cherniku/
Why doesn't the body accept berries?
There are several known causes that trigger allergies. The main one is weak immunity. The fact is that blueberries contain a lot of salicylic acid. When it enters a weak body, it increases histamine and causes a negative reaction.
Allergic reactions occur mainly in people with a genetic predisposition. If direct relatives have such a problem, you need to be prepared for its development in yourself.
How to treat this allergic disease?
If blueberries cause an allergy in you, the first thing you should do is stop eating them. You should also exclude from your diet all foods containing blueberries and salicylic acid in general. Since blueberry allergy is a type of food allergy, you need to take medications that are aimed at eliminating the symptoms of food poisoning (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain).
Drug treatment for blueberry allergy consists of prescribing antihistamines by an allergist to relieve symptoms and alleviate the condition of the patient. For children it can be “Suprastin”, which can be given even to children 1 year old; for adults it can be “Zyrtec” or “Cetirizine”. To relieve swelling of the mucous membrane and improve breathing, you can drip Vibrocil vasoconstrictor drops into your nose. To eliminate allergic redness and peeling of the skin, you can purchase Retinol and Elokom ointments.
You should always be careful when choosing over-the-counter anti-allergy medications. As a rule, this type of medication is contraindicated for use by nursing, pregnant women, and children under 1 year of age, because there is a risk of harm to the fetus or baby. Therefore, treatment in each individual case should be prescribed only by an allergist.
Professional diagnostics
To diagnose and clarify what exactly a negative reaction is developing to, skin tests are carried out for the allergen and blood is taken for testing. A complete examination of the patient is recommended, since chronic diseases of the digestive or respiratory systems that are not associated with allergies are possible.
During the examination, patients are recommended to keep a diary indicating what foods they ate, making it easier to find out what triggers allergic reactions.
There are people whose manifestations of reactions occur 2-3 days after taking the aggressive element. For such patients, it is impossible to clarify the diagnosis without special measures.
After establishing an accurate diagnosis, the specialist prescribes a suitable treatment regimen. It is not recommended to use medications without a full examination.
Symptoms of food allergies:
- on the skin: rash, itching, redness, swelling, formation of small blisters with liquid;
- from the respiratory side: runny nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, bronchospasm, asthma attacks;
- from the visual side: lacrimation, conjunctivitis, severe itching, swelling;
- from the digestive system: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in taste;
- from the nervous system: dizziness, loss of orientation, confusion, loss of consciousness.
If you find yourself with the above symptoms, analyze what foods you ate. These may be familiar foods, but which you have not eaten for a long time.
If you have found out exactly the cause of your ailments, then you should simply exclude the allergen product from your diet and the symptoms will go away.
But it often happens that allergies are caused by several foods at once. Then the best solution would be to keep a food diary. In it you will write down every day what exactly you ate and your body’s reaction to the product you ate. In this way, the cause of the malaise can be accurately determined.
There are products that give a quick, almost instantaneous, allergic reaction. Then identifying them is very simple. But there are products that give a remote allergic reaction. That is, you may experience allergy symptoms even a few days after eating such a product. This is where the difficulty lies.
Allergies, food allergies in particular, are a very insidious disease that requires serious treatment. After all, you can get not just watery eyes, rashes and itching. The consequences are much more tragic. Foods that cause allergies can not only undermine your health, but also take your life.
If you notice any allergic reactions to any food product, immediately eliminate it from your diet. The next stage in your fight against this insidious disease should be a visit to an allergist. It is the specialist who will be able to determine the cause of such reactions and prescribe adequate treatment. All recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor should be followed. Only then will you be able to keep your body under control and avoid the sad manifestations of food allergies.
We recommend studying:
prodgid.ru
Therapeutic measures
Treatment begins with excluding blueberries from the diet and all dishes that contain them (yogurt, jelly, juices, jam, baked goods, etc.). You should definitely adhere to a strict diet. The diet excludes all products that contain salicylic acid.
Medicines are prescribed depending on the symptoms. The allergist recommends the latest generation of antihistamines.
In case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract or the appearance of a rash on the skin, sorbents are prescribed. In severe cases, affected areas of the skin should be lubricated with special ointments based on corticosteroids.
All medications are prescribed by a strictly qualified allergist. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate; serious consequences are possible.
Experts consider the reaction to blueberries to be a complex disease, since it is always quite difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis. It is important to see a doctor in a timely manner. Then the patient can do without exacerbations and the appearance of serious complications, which include psoriasis, bronchial asthma and others.
At the beginning of the disease, skin rashes are well lubricated with mumiyo solution. The drug helps to quickly eliminate symptoms. But before use, you also need to discuss this with a specialist.
Many patients resort to numerous remedies recommended by traditional medicine. You should also consult your doctor before use. The effect on the disease must be comprehensive, under the supervision of a professional. Then the treatment will give positive results.
Main symptoms of allergic reactions
Basically, food allergies are expressed in dysfunctions of the stomach and intestines. Blueberries are no exception. In addition to digestive disorders, other signs of allergies are noted. These include:
- stomach ache;
- colic, bloating;
- skin rashes accompanied by itching;
- diathesis, eczema, urticaria;
- allergic runny nose;
- sneezing, coughing.
These are not acute symptoms that can be easily treated, but more serious problems can occur. For example: Quincke's edema, anaphylactic reactions. In this case, you must immediately contact a medical facility. First of all, it is necessary to identify the true cause of the allergic reaction.
Important: delay can cost some patients their lives. Symptoms of allergic reactions often conceal serious illnesses. In addition, if the problem is not detected in time and measures are not taken, the following reactions can provoke the death of the patient. With every contact a person exposes himself to great danger.
Prevention
Allergies to berries also develop in adults, but most often in childhood. Blueberries are allergenic, so you need to follow these recommendations:
- Blueberries can only be given to a baby from 7 months;
- Nursing mothers should not consume large amounts of berries;
- both children and adults need to monitor the body’s reaction when eating a tasty berry, especially if it is tried for the first time.
Preventive measures are based on 3 points:
- It is necessary to prevent sensitivity to the allergen. The berry itself and dishes that include it are excluded from the menu.
- Prevention of diseases associated with allergies (eczema, dermatitis, bronchial asthma).
- Implementation of therapeutic measures.
Allergies are often caused by various kinds of irritants that reduce the body’s protective functions (infections, stressful situations, living in environmentally unfavorable areas). Therefore, prevention is very important for any person.
Blueberries: tasty, healthy, but sometimes dangerous - causes of allergies and signs of manifestation
Blueberries are one of the healthiest berries. Thanks to its composition, the body’s defenses are increased, vision, the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and the digestive tract are improved. But not everything is so rosy. In some cases, the berry can be dangerous. The reason is an allergy to blueberries.
articles:
- Types of allergies
- Symptoms
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Prevention
Types of allergies
There are several types of allergies:
- Medicinal. It begins to appear immediately after taking the medication. It can be caused by: analgin, antibiotics, sulfa drugs.
- For insect bites. Intolerance to poisons secreted by insects.
- Respiratory. An allergic symptom will appear from plant pollen, fungal spores and chemicals.
- Infectious. The reason for its appearance is microorganisms.
- To the sunlight.
- Food - any product can provoke its appearance, both when consuming it and when in contact with it. Berry allergy refers to this type of pathology.
There are several types of allergies
Symptoms
A negative response from the body to blueberries is considered a food allergy. The symptoms of this disease are similar to signs of gastrointestinal dysfunction. The person suffers from:
- nausea;
- sometimes vomiting;
- painful sensations in the stomach.
In addition to the above symptoms, a rash appears (this can be seen in the photo), coughing, sneezing, rhinitis and lacrimation.
Skin rash due to blueberry allergy
All these signs are simple. They can be easily removed with the help of medications.
More serious malfunctions in the body caused by an allergy to blueberries include:
- Anaphylaxis. The airways narrow, the throat swells, the pulse quickens, and the blood pressure drops. Consciousness becomes foggy, frequent dizziness.
- Quincke's edema. Develops in the face, neck, limbs, and genitals. When symptoms spread to the larynx, speech becomes difficult and the throat hurts severely.
Remember! If you have these symptoms, you should not wait for them to subside. Call an ambulance immediately.
In a child, the signs of an allergic reaction are almost the same as in an adult. But in children, symptoms are more often associated with the skin and respiratory tract.
- A rash, redness, and dryness appear on the skin.
- The child begins to sneeze and cough, has difficulty breathing and nasal congestion.
- The baby, like an adult, suffers from abdominal pain, feels nauseous, and vomits.
In infants, an allergic reaction to blueberries is diagnosed if the berry is given to children under six months of age. By this period, their digestive system is poorly developed. The baby develops vomiting and stomach pain. These symptoms indicate that the berry has been rejected.
A newborn receives the allergen through mother's milk. The baby’s body may respond negatively to this if the young woman has eaten a lot of treats.
If you have an allergy, you should visit a doctor
Diagnosis and treatment
At the first symptoms, visit a specialist. The doctor will prescribe a full examination to rule out the possibility of diseases not related to allergies. A blood test and skin test for allergens are taken. After confirming the diagnosis, treatment is prescribed.
Blueberries contain large amounts of salicylic acid. It causes allergies. This substance also contains: raspberries, currants, blueberries. All of them can cause disruption to the body.
You should remove from your diet not only blueberries, blueberry juice and compote, but also all of the above berries. In addition, Blueberry Forte Evalar is not suitable for everyone.
It is contraindicated for people who are hypersensitive to its components.
The second step is taking antihistamines such as Fexofenadine, Desloratadine, Cetirezine and others. They are used to relieve symptoms of the disease.
Problems with the stomach, intestines, and skin rashes can be solved with the help of sorbents: Enterosgel, Carbolong, Polyphepan and others.
Eczema on the skin is treated with corticosteroid ointments.
The following drugs will help remove the allergenic product from the child’s body and normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract: Smecta, activated carbon, Enterosgel. In case of dehydration, the baby is given Regidron.
Don't forget about traditional medicine
Remember! Any medicine must be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is prohibited.
This also applies to traditional medicine.
Several effective recipes:
- Dried chamomile flowers are brewed and infused for thirty minutes. Drink a glass twice a day.
- Tea from a series. One tablespoon of the plant is brewed with one and a half glasses of boiling water. Let it brew for twenty minutes and strain. During the day it is drunk instead of tea or coffee.
- To remove allergens, use the following decoction. Mix one tablespoon at a time: licorice, buckthorn, burdock, fennel, dandelion. Pour into a thermos, pour boiling water and leave for twelve hours. Take half a glass half an hour before meals. Consume until the allergy disappears.
It is not advisable for young mothers to eat a lot of blueberries
Prevention
Are blueberries an allergen or not? The answer will be yes. To ensure that this healthy treat doesn’t cause problems, follow these recommendations:
- Start giving berries to your baby only from the age of seven months.
- Young mothers during lactation should not eat a lot of blueberries. Breastfeeding is a big responsibility. If the mother eats, the baby suffers.
- Watch how your body reacts to eating this treat. Any new symptom that appears after eating berries should not be ignored.
Prevention of blueberry allergy is based on three points:
- Prevention of sensitivity to allergen. Blueberries should be excluded from the diet.
- Prevention of allergic diseases: dermatitis, asthma, eczema.
- Application of therapy.
Allergies may appear immediately or become apparent over time. The cause may be irritants that reduce immunity.
These include: stress, infectious diseases, living in a polluted area. That is why allergy prevention should occupy an important place in the life of every person.
This especially applies to those people whose relatives suffered from this pathology.
Source: https://allrg.ru/eda-i-napitki/allergiya-na-cherniku.html
Cross reaction
Cross allergens are substances that are similar in structure to ordinary allergens, but differ in their formation. Their peculiarity is as follows: if the body becomes sensitive to any product, in this case to blueberries, then allergies automatically appear to provocateurs of a similar structure. This type of reaction often develops not only in one organ, but also in systems.
Blueberries, despite the fact that they are not a strong allergen, may well cause a cross-reaction.
People with this disease should not eat raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. All kinds of vegetables and fruits that contain salicylic acid should be completely excluded from the menu. It is possible that this is a temporary refusal, but sometimes the ban extends for life.
In addition, patients with this diagnosis are strictly prohibited from taking Aspirin and other medications containing salicylic acid. To determine the specific cause and clarify the diagnosis, you need to contact an allergist-immunologist.
The disease cannot be cured without the intervention of a professional. Before starting treatment, you need to consult a specialist in a timely manner. Otherwise, serious consequences, including death, are possible.
Blueberries - allergen or not for children and adults, allergy symptoms
You've all probably heard about the beneficial properties of blueberries. Which is full of minerals, vitamins and antioxidant components. Not everyone is able to consume these berries in enormous quantities, as some are allergic to blueberries, especially children.
- Why do blueberries cause an allergic reaction?
- Features of childhood allergies
- What are the symptoms of a blueberry allergy?
- How is blueberry allergy treated?
Are blackberries an allergen or not?
Blueberries are a medicinal product. It is rich in various vitamins, microelements, minerals, in addition to useful antioxidants and low calorie content.
By eating blueberries, a person prevents various diseases. Its taste is sweet, juicy and sour. Therefore, you can eat it in unlimited quantities. But can blueberries cause allergies?
Intolerance to this type of berry can be congenital and is transmitted genetically. The most important thing is that specialists can identify what exactly causes an allergic reaction in a person. Because it is very easy to confuse which product provoked it. Allergies can also be caused by intolerance to salicylic acid.
To understand whether a person is allergic to this particular berry, it is worth paying attention to other products that contain this acid, such as raspberries and strawberries.
If there is an allergic reaction to these products, then it can also occur when eating blueberries.
Its use is especially contraindicated for people who have pancreatic diseases, urolithiasis, or pancreatitis.
Symptoms
Allergies can manifest themselves in the form of food poisoning. That is why a specialist’s analysis is needed here to determine that it was blueberries that caused such a reaction in the body. But if a person wants to independently understand that an allergy has appeared specifically to this berry, there are a number of additional symptoms:
- Redness on the skin, rashes, itching.
- Abdominal pain and bloating.
- Rash, diathesis.
- Runny nose and cough.
- Tearing.
But the most dangerous thing is not allergic reactions, but more serious health problems. For example, Quincke's edema. In this case, you should immediately call an ambulance or go to the hospital.
It turns out that intolerance to this berry can be deadly in some cases. Severe consequences are anaphylaxis.
- Swelling of the tongue.
- High blood pressure.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fainting state.
All these signs require immediate hospitalization of the victim.
Infants may be intolerant to berries. A child at an early age has a poorly developed digestive system. It is highly recommended not to give any berries to young children.
Diagnostics
To diagnose an allergy, you need to visit an allergist. Next, he prescribes tests. The doctor must fully investigate whether blueberries are the cause of the inflammation. After all, similar symptoms can manifest themselves in other human diseases that he is not even aware of. In such a situation, your doctor may recommend keeping a food diary.
Treatment
If an allergic reaction is caused by blueberries, then you need to stop eating them. In addition, you should remove foods that contain salicylic acid from your diet. Use medications and medications prescribed by your doctor for food poisoning, such as: activated carbon, Enterosgel, Smecta.
If there are rashes on the skin, then you need to smear the affected areas of the skin with ointments, for example, Retinol, Elokom. And take antiallergic drugs “Suprastin” for children, “Zyrtec” for adults. The entire treatment must be prescribed by an allergist, since some medications have contraindications.
ethnoscience
Alternative medicine is rich in recipes for all sorts of diseases. There are also recommendations for this problem.
- Strict diet. To avoid serious consequences, this point is the most important. By eliminating from your diet foods that provoke negative reactions in the body, a person will be able to get rid of health problems caused by allergenic foods.
- Medicinal plants such as burdock root and dandelion can help with the problem. A tincture is made from them. To do this, it is advisable to add water to these herbs (1 tablespoon each) and let them brew for 10 hours. Then bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. And leave again for 10-12 hours. It is recommended to drink half a glass of tincture before each meal.
- Another healing plant that can help is the duckweed grass. The plant is rich in bromine and iodine. It has antipyretic properties and reduces the body's sensitivity to harmful substances. It should be taken in the form of a crushed powder. One tablespoon half an hour before meals.
- Shilajit ointment helps well with skin symptoms. It should be spread on areas of the skin affected by rashes or redness.
Undoubtedly, blueberry berries and leaves have many benefits. Eating them prevents the occurrence of various serious diseases and illnesses. But despite all their benefits, they should not be abused. And for those people who are intolerant to salicylic acid, consuming this berry is highly discouraged.
Blueberries are a delicious, extremely healthy berry with a lot of vital elements. Its use helps prevent and treat many diseases. But sometimes it itself causes negative reactions in the body. Therefore, not all people can eat blueberries, despite the enormous benefits.
Are figs an allergen?
One of the oldest cultivated plants is the fig, also called wineberry, fig and fig. In folk medicine it is used for various painful conditions in children and adults. It is believed that this plant practically does not cause allergies, and its fruits can be eaten even by nursing women. But is this really so?
Content
- Uses of figs
- Is it possible to be allergic to figs?
Uses of figs
Fresh figs are juicy and tender, so they quickly overripe and are practically impossible to store. Immediately after harvesting, it is dried, which does not lead to the loss of the basic properties of the product, but increases the calorie content from 74 to 257 Kcal per 100 g.
Dried figs contain:
- up to 6% protein;
- about 60–70% carbohydrates;
- a small amount of organic acids (citric, malic, quinic and glyceric);
- pectin and fiber;
- folic acid, vitamins C, B1, B2, B3 (PP), B6, A and E;
- unsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6;
- micro- and macroelements (iron, potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus and magnesium);
- special substances (ficin).
This fruit is not only nutritious, but also healing. It has a diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic, mild laxative, antipyretic and antiseptic effect. The combination of large amounts of iron and folic acid makes figs useful in treating anemia. It is also used in the treatment of atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, sore throat and bronchitis. Figs are also believed to reduce the intensity of the immune response. Therefore, it is sometimes recommended to take it for bronchial asthma, like licorice and cranberries.
But figs are a subtropical fruit, unusual for most residents of the northern regions. This means it could potentially be more allergenic than temperate fruits.
Is it possible to be allergic to figs?
We should not forget that any substance entering the body is recognized and evaluated by the immune system. All foreign substances are antigens. If the internal defense considers them dangerous and harmful, a set of reactions will begin to neutralize and remove these “enemies” from the body. An excessively strong response is called hypersensitivity or allergy.
The milky juice and essential oils of figs are recognized as quite strong antigens, although their content is low. In addition, dried fruits often contain small amounts of salicylates and sulfites, which can cause a strong immune reaction.
But still, figs are not an allergen for the majority of the population. After all, hypersensitivity occurs in a special state of immunity. Predisposing factors are considered:
- family burden;
- pathology of the digestive system, intestinal dysbiosis;
- presence of another type of allergy;
- intolerance to latex, potatoes and tomatoes, which may result in cross-allergy to figs.
Therefore, it is impossible to say for sure whether a particular person will have a pathological reaction to the beneficial and healing fig. Most often, it is not only well absorbed, but can also reduce the severity of some allergic diseases. But there is an individual intolerance to figs, so it must be introduced into the diet gradually.
- What to do if you have a pollen allergy (hay fever)?
- Which doctor treats psoriasis?
- Is there any disability for psoriasis?
- Guinea pig allergy: symptoms and treatment
- What is atopy?
- Allergy325 Allergic stomatitis1
- Anaphylactic shock5
- Urticaria24
- Quincke's edema2
- Hay fever13
- Atopic dermatitis25
- Runny nose33