Exploring Unique Rare Food Allergies
Personal Experiences With Nightshades and Pollen Food Allergy
Living with a rare food allergy? Learn about uncommon sensitivities like alpha-gal (red meat), corn, and nightshades, and how to manage them effectively. Understand the potential for severe reactions and find specialized tips, prevalence data, and validation for your unique allergy journey.
Chili Pepper, Bell Pepper, Tomato, Potato …
Hidden Nightshades, Nightshades in Medicines, Not every Nightshade has the same allergen. Custom Nightshade Allergy Alert Cards with images. What I learned over 50 years living and traveling with Nightshade Allergies.
While “orphan food allergies” may not be officially recognized, they are often rare or under-recognized conditions. These lesser-known food allergies can significantly impact individuals and their families, as they may lack adequate support and resources due to their less common nature.
Kiwi, Papaya, Pineapple, Bananas, Apples …
Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS), or oral allergy syndrome, affects individuals with hay fever, triggering allergic reactions to specific fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spices. Cross-reactivity between pollen and food proteins causes symptoms like mouth tingling, itching, and throat swelling. Understanding triggers and managing symptoms can alleviate reactions and prevent severe complications.
Other Rare Allergies
Notably, other countries require labeling for several rare allergens, which affect a significant portion of their populations. Yet in USA are not required on labels although an estimated portion of the population are impacted by similar numbers found in countries with label requirements. Some of these rare allergens even surpass sesame seeds, the latest addition to the US labeling requirements. A situation that the FDA and lawmakers need to correct despite the politics.
For Example:
Vegetables including Radish, Celery, Carrots, Beets, Onions
Fruit including Kiwi, Papaya, Pineapple, Apples
Spice/Herbs Including Saffron, Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary, Cumin, Mustard
Nut/Seed including Sunflower seeds, Poppy seeds, Sesame (already recognized in US), Pumpkin seeds
Legumes including Chickpeas, Lentils, Fava Beans
Preservatives including Sulfites, Nitrates
Meat/Poultry: Red meat allergy, often triggered by tick bites, is a rare but serious condition. Other unusual food allergies include those to raw fruits and vegetables (often due to pollen cross-reactivity), spices (like coriander and mustard), and certain foods related to latex allergy (avocados, bananas, etc.). Proper diagnosis and dietary management are crucial for individuals with these allergies. Links to a number of sources
FPIES: A delayed food allergy a severe condition causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Alcohol: It is not a protein, so it is unusual for it to be an allergen but …
Related Reading
- Rare and Unusual Food Allergies — Learn About What They Are, What Causes Them, and the Associated Symptoms
- Food Allergy and Alcohol
- Alcohol Allergy – Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
- Food allergy and alcohol – Allergy Facts
- Alcohol Allergies and Intolerance – Verywell Health:
- Ask the allergist about Alcohol Allergy– December 2023 – Food Allergy Canada:
- Allergy Insider by Thermo Fisher Scientific: Support for lesser-known or “orphan” allergies.
- 8 Rare Food Allergies: Red Meat, Sesame Seed, Avocado, Corn, Mango, Marshmallows,Dried Fruit, Hot Dogs
- AllergyInsider: Allergen Fact Sheets: Almond, Alpha-Gal Syndrome, Alternaria alternata, Apple, Brazil Nut, Buckwheat, Cashew Nut, Celery, Cow’s Milk, Egg, Fish, Hazelnut, Kiwi, Macadamia Nut, Mustard, Peach, Peanut, Pecan Nut, Pistachio Nut, Rice, Sesame, Shellfish, Soy, Walnut, Wheat
- FPIES and EoE: Sometimes referred to as a delayed food allergy, is a severe condition causing vomiting and diarrhea