Grape Allergy: Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Can there be an allergy to grapes? This question is asked by many people, because this product appears from time to time on every table. It is proved that in its composition there is a mass of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are so necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

Why does an allergy to grapes occur? What symptoms are accompanied by a similar reaction of the body? Is it worth worrying about this? What methods of treatment can modern medicine offer? Many people are interested in answering these questions.

General information

It's no secret that grapes are a very useful product. It contains much needed vitamins( ascorbic acid, B vitamins), minerals( grapes rich in potassium), as well as fiber, useful organic acids and enzymes that stimulate digestion.

Grape juice is recommended for diseases of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. Also, this product contains a huge amount of antioxidants that protect the body cells from the negative effects of free radicals, activate regenerative processes and inhibit the aging process.

However, not all people can consume this product in unlimited quantities, since it belongs to the group of allergens. For some reason the immune system of some people reacts inadequately to substances contained in berries or on their surface, which is accompanied by the appearance of rashes on the skin, swelling and other disorders. Most often sensitive to this product are children, although an allergy to grapes in an adult is also possible.

The main causes of allergy development

Why does the allergy to grapes appear? As already mentioned, such a disorder is associated with hypersensitivity of the immune system, so in this case there is a genetic predisposition. People with allergies in their family are at risk.

It should be noted that the response from the immune system may be associated with the impact of various factors.

• Allergy often develops due to increased sensitivity to substances contained directly in grapes.
• In addition, the reaction of the immune system can be associated with the formation of products of putrefaction and fermentation in the intestine. For example, this is observed with dysbacteriosis or digestive disorders - grapes are not fully absorbed by the body.
• Allergies can cause fungal spores, plant pollen or chemicals that are present on the surface of the grape skin( which is why it is so important to wash well and cook foods correctly).

Allergy to grapes on the skin: the main signs of

It should be noted right away that the response of the immune system to this product can be accompanied by different symptoms. Most often an allergy to grapes on the skin. In such cases, redness with a small rash appears on some areas of the tissue. Skin allergies can appear on the skin of the face, hands, chest.

Patients complain of burning and itching. Eating grapes can be accompanied by the development of urticaria - a blistering rash on the skin, which in appearance resembles burns from contact with nettle.

Also to the list of symptoms include swelling of soft tissues - the skin of the affected areas becomes swollen.

Grapes allergy: symptoms of oral dermatitis

Oral dermatitis is a type of skin lesions, however, in this case, signs of an allergic reaction are localized in the areas around the lips.

Allergy to grapes is often accompanied by irritation of the skin around the lips. There is also a swelling of the tongue, the palate, the inner surface of the cheeks, and the mucous membrane of the lips. Sometimes there is a sensation of a lump in the throat. Often patients complain of unpleasant itching and burning. The skin around the mouth turns red, becomes covered with a small bubble rash. To the list of symptoms can be attributed and the sensation of itching in the ears.

Respiratory manifestations of the allergy

Quite often, hypersensitivity is accompanied by a violation of the respiratory system.

• Sometimes there is swelling of the mucous membranes of the larynx. This, of course, prevents a person from breathing normally, swallowing and talking.
• Symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing. Perhaps the appearance of abundant mucous discharge from the nose. Some patients complain of persistent burning and itching in the nasal passages. By the way, often this is the allergy to the grapes of a child. In adults, such symptoms are possible, but are rarely recorded.
• In the most severe cases, the use of this product causes a persistent spasm of the bronchi. A patient with similar symptoms should be rushed to the hospital.

Diagnostic measures: what do doctors pay attention to?

Allergy is a problem that requires careful diagnosis. After all, it is very important to determine exactly what causes the reaction from the immune system. That's why patients are advised to keep a diary of nutrition and carefully monitor the state of health and the appearance of certain symptoms.

Diagnosis of allergies will help and blood test - during the laboratory test, you can detect an increase in the level of immunoglobulin E. In the future, necessarily conducted skin tests. On the skin of the patient, the expert carefully makes small scratches and applies a solution of the suspected allergen. In the presence of hypersensitivity skin reddens and slightly swells after contact with the substance. So you can find out whether the reaction is due to the grapes.

In addition, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is performed to help determine the presence of cross-allergies.

Medication for ailment

What should I do if I have hypersensitivity? This question is asked by many people, especially if the allergy to grapes in a child has been diagnosed. After all, there is not always an opportunity to constantly monitor what the baby is eating.

Drug treatment is reduced to taking antihistamines. These drugs block the histamine receptors, blocking the further development of the allergic reaction. Such drugs help to remove the swelling of the mucous membranes, eliminate spasms, itching and other symptoms of hypersensitivity.

The list of antihistamines includes "Diphenhydramine", "Chlorphenamine", "Hifenadine", "Clemastin".These are effective, potent drugs, which, unfortunately, also have sedative properties, so you can not always take them.

Today, second-generation medicines, such as Loratadin, Tavegil, Suprastin, and Levocetirizine, are most often used. Of course, it is worthwhile to understand that these drugs only relieve symptoms, and do not eliminate the cause of the disease.

Other treatments for

Grape allergy is a serious problem and should not be ignored. Antihistamines can not get rid of hypersensitivity, so first of all doctors advise to exclude this product from the diet.

In this case it is extremely important to keep a diary of food. For example, in some patients, only fresh grapes cause an allergic reaction, while dried berries, sauces, wines and other products containing this component are completely safe. In addition, the increased sensitivity can be associated not with the grapes themselves, but with pesticides, pollen and other substances that are not contained inside the berries, but on its surface - in such cases it is enough only to thoroughly clean the peel from contamination and adhere to the rules of heat treatment.

Unfortunately, completely getting rid of allergies is difficult. Only the desensitization method can be considered effective. This therapy is quite laborious - for a long time the patient is injected with small doses of the substance, which provokes a reaction from the immune system. Thus, the body gradually adapts to the effects of the allergen and "learns" to react to it adequately.