Allergies to cucumbers in children and adults - pollen is often to blame

Can a person be allergic to cucumber?

Cucumbers are often included in children's and diet menus.
The chemical composition of the vegetable is very rich in vitamins. It is good for the kidneys, liver, heart, and stomach. Experts say that an allergic reaction to cucumber is very unlikely. Cucumbers do not have an allergen that causes activation of immunoglobulin E in human blood. The composition of the vegetable does not contain complex compounds. But the peel, which absorbs various substances from the environment, the leaves of the plant, as well as the marinades in which the vegetable is cooked, may well cause allergies.

It was also noted that negative reactions are often found among agricultural workers. Frequent contact with cucumber tops and pollen during the flowering of a vegetable crop causes an immune response in the body.

A histamine release can occur if a person has not consumed this vegetable for a long time and then eats a large amount on an empty stomach.

Children are more susceptible to allergic reactions than adults. The immune system, which is not yet fully formed, sometimes reacts very sharply to new or rarely eaten foods. An allergy to fresh cucumbers in a child is very rare. More often it occurs on salted and pickled foods.

Another type of allergy that sometimes occurs is false. It belongs to the cross type. If a person already has a reaction to certain types of foods, immunoglobulin antibodies may mistake the cucumber protein for one for which an antigen has already been developed. Vegetables and melons are considered similar in the protein structure of cucumber: zucchini, melon, pumpkin, watermelon. Cross-reactivity, although false, also requires treatment.

How to choose a vegetable to minimize the risk of allergies and poisoning

Cucumbers are sold on store shelves all year round. But to avoid an allergic reaction to this product, you should give preference to proven vegetables from farms or grown at home, since you never know in what conditions a vegetable from a store was grown. If it is not possible to purchase or grow your own vegetables, then you need to check the fruits in stores. The color of the peel should be bright green. Darkening or yellowing is not allowed. Vegetables should also be free of cracks, stains and bruises. You should not buy vegetables that are already overripe - they are of little use.

Before using cucumbers for food, you should wash them thoroughly to remove chemicals from their skin.

Why is there an allergy to cucumbers?

Pickled cucumbers are more allergenic than fresh ones.
There are both external and internal factors why a child or adult may be allergic to cucumber.

External reasons include:

• Fertilizers. Various additives to enhance the growth and ripening of vegetables are safe in moderation. But farmers often overuse nitrates, and vegetables absorb too many chemicals. Especially a lot of these substances are collected in the peel and “butt” of the cucumber.
• Processing for transport. When vegetable products are exported, special processing is used to preserve their appearance. The chemicals used to treat cucumbers prevent the peel from rotting and withering. They can cause a very strong reaction, and even poisoning. Therefore, it is better to always peel imported cucumbers.
• Conservation. The most common immune response is to pickled and salted vegetables. Large amounts of salt, spices, preservatives and other substances that manufacturers add to brines and marinades cause severe allergic symptoms, especially in children.

Internal reasons:

• Immune failure. An allergy to pickled or fresh cucumber is quite likely if a person’s immunity is severely weakened. This happens with poor nutrition, excessive physical and mental stress.
• Chronic diseases. When the body is forced to constantly fight a chronic disease, the immune system may also respond inappropriately to some familiar foods.
• Recent infectious diseases. If the body has not yet freed itself from the toxins of the infection, the risk of allergies increases greatly.
• Hay fever. When a person already has a reaction to pollen, he should not independently pick fresh cucumbers from the garden and eat them unwashed. The vegetable often retains pollen from flowers that have not yet fallen.
• Abuse of bad habits. Smoking and alcohol poison the body, and it is more difficult for it to remove toxins. The more toxins in the body, the higher the likelihood of histamine releases.
• Working or living in environmentally unfavorable conditions. If people have to constantly breathe polluted air, chemicals and other vapors that poison the body, they very often develop allergies to even the simplest foods.
• Genetic predisposition. If one of your relatives had a similar pathology, it is likely that it will manifest itself in the last generation.

Pollen from the blossoms on cucumbers can be a problem for those who suffer from hay fever.

Development mechanism

An allergy occurs as an incorrect reaction of the immune system when it comes into contact with a particular substance. When there are disturbances in the body’s defense system, the immune system perceives not only pathogenic microorganisms as hostile, but also rather harmless substances from the environment.

Such substances are called allergens. As a result of the reaction, a large amount of histamine, leukotrienes and other biologically active substances are released, which, in turn, lead to the appearance of symptoms of an allergic reaction.

The first contact with allergens is almost unnoticeable; upon subsequent contact, they combine with IgE antibodies and begin to “fight” on the surface of mast cells, as a result of which the cell membranes are disrupted, releasing leukotrienes and histamine.

An allergic reaction occurs, accompanied by characteristic symptoms, including cough, runny nose, sneezing, lacrimation, swelling, difficulty breathing, rash or erythema.

Age is absolutely not important for the onset of the first allergy symptoms, but most often they appear in young children. Allergies can cause inflammation of the airways, which is then mistakenly treated with antibiotics.

It is the frequent use of antibiotics, along with the deteriorating state of the environment from year to year, that is a factor predisposing to this disease.

If you have all the symptoms of the disease, do not panic! They can be eliminated, but the predisposition to it can be laid down at the genetic level, and therefore will not go away. However, with a rational approach to the problem, it is possible to forget about the symptoms for many years.

Symptoms

Cucumber allergies manifest themselves in different ways. It all depends on the degree of reaction and on the condition of the victim, his immunity. Also, the course of the allergy is related to the amount of product consumed.

Symptoms:

• Skin rashes accompanied by severe itching, redness, and swelling.
• Eczema, dermatitis, urticaria.
• Watery eyes, itchy eyes, swelling of the eyelids.
• Runny nose, nasal congestion, itching in the nasopharynx, copious discharge of liquid secretion.
• Cough, hoarseness in voice.
• Swelling of the larynx.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Dizziness, loss of strength.
• Tremor of the limbs.
• Profuse sweating.
• Quincke's edema.

This product, with a high nitrate content, can cause symptoms of poisoning.

Diagnostics

There are two main types of body diagnostics: Non-contact technologies. This is the reaction of blood serum to an irritant.

Skin tests

It is the second method that is considered the safest and more accessible. It provides quick results. Another “plus” is the low cost of diagnostics. For diagnosis, a scratch is made on the skin, then an extract of the test allergen is applied.

The results are determined after 15 minutes.

Negative manifestations:

• Itching,
• Skin redness,
• Swelling,
• Blisters at the test site.

The advantage of the technique is high efficiency in a short time. Making such a diagnosis is strictly prohibited in case of anaphylaxis.

Data after diagnostics are considered reliable for 6 months.

How to treat cucumber allergy?

For any, even very mild, symptoms of allergy to fresh or pickled cucumbers, the product is completely excluded from the diet. Also, under no circumstances should you drink cucumber pickle or vegetable juice.

Treatment of a histamine reaction to cucumbers may include several stages, let’s consider everything in order. Do not forget that therapy must be prescribed by a doctor.

Drug therapy

To quickly relieve an attack, medications for internal use (tablets, capsules) are used to treat an allergic reaction. The effect of such drugs begins within 15-20 minutes and lasts throughout the day.

The following drugs have proven themselves to be effective:

• Zyrtec.
• Suprastin.
• Tavegil.
• Zodak.
• Levocetirizine.
• Astemizole.
• Erius.
• Claritin.

Swelling of the mucous membranes in the nasopharynx, redness and itching of the eyes are relieved with antihistamine drops:

• Vibrocil.
• Allergic.
• Pactin.
• Histimet.
• Tizin Alepji.
• Kromohexal.

Ointments/creams for external use

To quickly relieve the first symptoms on the skin, ointments or creams that do not contain hormones are used:

• Bepanten.
• Dexpanthenol.
• Desitin.
• Rescuer.
• Protopic.
• Wundehil.

More severe dermatological reactions, accompanied by severe itching, swelling, and cracking of the skin, are treated with steroid (hormonal) drugs. They are very effective and act quickly, but have many contraindications. Such ointments are not recommended for children. The doctor prescribes steroid ointments in childhood only in severe cases.

Hormonal antihistamines in ointment form:

• Sinaflan.
• Advantan.
• Hyoxyzone.
• Fluorocort.
• Hyoxyzone.
• Prednisolone.

Any drug in the form of an ointment or cream is applied externally, according to the instructions or instructions of the doctor.

Cleansing the body

If you are allergic to cucumbers or any other food, it is very important to cleanse the body. The patient is prescribed a diet and taking absorbent drugs (activated or White carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel, Polysorb).

Excluded from the diet:

• Fatty, fried foods;
• Pickles, smoked foods;
• Spices, hot seasonings;
• Butter dough;
• Confectionery;
• Carbonated drinks;
• Alcohol.

During the month, it is advisable to eat more grains, fresh fruits, and hypoallergenic vegetables. Fermented milk products, light broths, and herbal teas are very useful.

If, after giving up the vegetable and following the diet, the allergic reaction goes away, it is permissible to end drug therapy earlier.

Cross reaction

We should not forget that there is a cross-reaction to the entire pumpkin family (watermelon, melon, pumpkin, zucchini), so if you are allergic to these vegetables, you should also treat cucumbers with great caution.

Possible cross-reactivity with ragweed, banana, carrots and celery. Laboratory testing has determined the presence of molecules similar in many respects in the composition of these products. Similar proteins have been identified in grapes, and therefore it is possible that if you are allergic to them, you should not eat cucumbers.

Don't discount the fact that the risk of cross-reactions increases if your diet includes many highly allergenic foods.

In other cases, if you have an allergy, you can eat cucumbers if they do not cause negative reactions. The vegetable is hypoallergenic, so it does not provoke changes in the condition of the majority of patients.

ethnoscience

With the help of folk remedies you can get rid of cucumber allergies and improve your body health.
The recipes are based on herbs, but before using them it is better to consult a doctor. Herbs have antihistamine properties:

• A series.
• Peppermint.
• Nettle is deaf.
• Red clover.
• Calendula.
• Sage.
• Celery.
• Birch leaves.
• Chamomile.
• St. John's wort.
• Celandine.

You can use any herb alone or a mixture of several herbs. The decoction is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l. pour 300 ml of boiling water over the raw material and leave for 2-3 hours. Then the decoction is decanted, divided into three doses and drunk 20 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

The same decoction is useful for wiping skin manifestations of allergies.

Therapeutic measures

For treatment to be effective (especially in children), it is first necessary to prescribe a hypoallergenic diet that completely excludes the consumption of cucumbers.

• the symptoms of the disease respond well to treatment with antihistamines (diazolin, claritin, tavegil, etc.);
• Local preparations in the form of creams, ointments or gels can be applied to areas of the skin affected by urticaria and eczema. These include Locoid, Zyrtec, Sinaflan, etc.;
• to quickly relieve allergic manifestations, hormonal therapy (prednisolone, hydrocortisone, etc.) is prescribed;
• It must be remembered that, despite the good effects of these drugs, they should be prescribed by a doctor only on an individual basis. In addition, if there is the slightest opportunity to avoid hormonal therapy in a child, it is necessary to take advantage of it.

The water contained in cucumber is much purer than distilled water, so it perfectly quenches thirst and removes toxic substances from the body, rejuvenating it.

If you are hypersensitive to cucumbers, it is not recommended to consume the following products:

• berries of sweet cherries, apricots and cherries;
• birch sap, peach, plum;
• kiwi, apple, almonds and walnuts;
• pears, celery, dill;
• anise, curry, potatoes;
• carrots, cumin, onion, tomato.

The development of the disease can even occur in cosmetic products that contain cucumber extract. Therefore, it is very important to carefully study the composition of cosmetic preparations before use.

Due to their low calorie content, fresh cucumbers are often used in various diets. Among all low-calorie foods, it rightfully takes first place. A comparison table of foods with the fewest calories is shown below:

An allergic reaction, oddly enough, can occur when eating salted and pickled cucumbers, which rightfully occupy a place of honor on the table. Most often, this is facilitated by various additives to the marinade. This type of cucumber can retain fluid in the body, which causes symptoms of digestive disorders, which in turn lead to the development of allergies.

How to treat cucumber allergy in children?

Can a child be allergic to cucumbers? This is rare, but it happens. If symptoms are detected, the child's parents should immediately contact a pediatrician at the clinic.

For some time, you will have to exclude from the children's menu all types of vegetables that have a cross-reaction with cucumber. Just as in cases with adults, treatment for childhood allergies includes taking antihistamines, cleansing and strengthening the body.

In most cases, a reaction to cucumbers in children is associated with a blockage in the stomach. Diet and boosting immunity will gradually relieve the baby of the problem.

Allergies to fresh cucumbers in children are less common than to salted ones. Until the age of 7, it is better not to give children salted and pickled vegetables.

Hardening procedures are very helpful in children's treatment. It will be useful to take your child to the sea or spend the summer in a country house in nature. As the immune system develops, many childhood illnesses go away.

Treatment

If a reaction occurs in children, you should immediately contact a pediatrician, since ignoring the problem can lead to unpredictable consequences, fraught with various kinds of complications.

Laboratory tests, most often blood, will be prescribed. For children over the age of seven, skin tests may also be prescribed if necessary. Adults should also not delay visiting a (specialized) doctor.

In any case, the very first thing to do is to avoid contact with the vegetable, especially stop eating it. If during the reaction local symptoms appear in the mouth and throat, characteristic of cross-allergy, it is important to remove any remaining allergen from the face and rinse the mouth.

In case of food allergies, adsorbents, for example, Polyphepan, Polysorb, Enterosgel, will help remove allergens. You can also drink Activated Charcoal if you don’t have anything else at hand.

The doctor will definitely prescribe antihistamines to block the mediators of the allergic reaction. The dose of antihistamine is selected taking into account the age, especially of the child. Zyrtec, Zodak, Kestin, Tavegil and other similar drugs may be prescribed for treatment.

If there are skin irritations, you can use soothing creams and gels, for example, Flucinar or Fenistil. If the skin lesions are more serious, hormonal therapy should be added in the form of Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone.