Allergy, Banana

A banana allergy falls under the broader category of food allergies. While the general components in the fruit may cause a hypersensitive reaction, a specific protein also plays a significant role. According to a few medical studies, chitinase is the primary causal factor. The protein is also present in the sap of rubber trees. Consequently, people allergic to bananas may also be hypersensitive to latex products.

A banana allergy occurs when the immune system identifies the proteins in the fruit as harmful or invasive. That leads to immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies releasing histamine upon reacting with the protein. The secretion of histamine is what causes the typical allergy symptoms to manifest. It's essential to note that reaction severity for food allergies differs across individuals.

Some examples of mild symptoms are listed below:

• Nasal congestion
• An itchy mouth or throat
• Conjunctivitis
• Excessive coughing or a ‘tightness’ in the chest

In a few cases, affected individuals may display a more severe response. Symptoms in these cases can include the following:

• Facial swelling
• Dermatological complications such as hives, eczema, and rashes
• Breathing difficulties

Although rare, a banana allergy can potentially cause anaphylaxis. Note that this happens among individuals with an extremely severe reaction to the protein component.

In the case of anaphylactic shock, any affected individual must seek immediate medical attention. Failure to do so may be fatal. Some common symptoms to watch for during an anaphylactic episode include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Excessive sweating
• Weak or rapid pulse
• Severe difficulty in breathing

Interestingly, despite food allergies being widespread among all age groups, an allergic reaction to bananas is rarely observed in children.

A banana allergy test can diagnose an allergic reaction to the fruit and outline reaction severity and any necessary treatment options. Technicians perform the test like a standard food allergy test, using in-vitro serum testing. The patient specimen reacts to the fruit's proteins in a controlled environment.

Following the initial reaction, testers remove non-symptomatic IgE antibodies and bind an anti-IgE antibody to the remainder of the specimen. This complex incubates with a developing agent. A final fluorescent assessment measures the incubated complex after an allotted period.

The final assessment reveals the concentration of IgE antibodies present in the specimen. A value equal to or above 0.7 ku/L indicates an allergic reaction to bananas.

Note that a banana allergy test result can be false if the patient specimen binds to non-specific allergens. In a few other cases, an individual may not display visible symptoms and still have significant IgE concentrations in their sample. In such situations, doctors evaluate the test results in that clinical context.

Prior immunotherapy or antihistamine medication can also temporarily reduce IgE count and, thus, lead to a false result.

Apollo 24|7 provides a banana allergy test to diagnose hypersensitive reactions to bananas. Such a test can also identify the responsible allergen and help determine the existence of additional allergies. For instance, if the individual is specifically sensitive to chitinase, they may also be allergic to latex goods.