Strawberry Allergy Test

Consuming strawberries can result in various complications if you have an allergy towards it. You might get a rash, an off-putting mouth sensation, or possibly a more severe reaction like Anaphylaxis. To prevent an allergic reaction, strawberries and perhaps related fruits must be avoided if you have a strawberry allergy.

After consuming a particular food, indications of a food allergy may appear minutes later or up to two hours later.

Symptoms of a strawberry allergy include:

• Throat constriction 
• Tingling or itching mouth
• Skin rashes like eczema or hives 
• Coughing and wheezing 
• Nasal congestion 
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Diarrhoea 
• Light-headedness and abdominal pain

Antihistamines may be effective in the treatment of mild or moderate allergies. These are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that can lessen symptoms. However, if you experience a major allergic reaction, over-the-counter medicines won't help.

A severe strawberry allergy may cause Anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. Multiple symptoms can appear simultaneously as a result of Anaphylaxis, which calls for urgent access to emergency medical care.

A strong allergic reaction might cause the following symptoms:

• Throat swelling or a constricted airway
• Significant blood pressure decline 
• Rapid heartbeat
• Light-headedness

Epinephrine must be used to treat Anaphylaxis. An EpiPen or other auto-injector can be used to inject this. You must always carry an EpiPen with you if you have a serious allergy. Even though Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, the kind of antibodies that can cause Anaphylaxis, are not present in intolerance, the immune system may still be involved. The appearance of intolerance symptoms might be delayed and may take up to 72 hours.

When someone experiences allergic symptoms soon after eating strawberries or products containing strawberries, a Strawberry Allergy test is typically required. Doctors use this test to determine the primary causes of your strawberry allergy and the most effective courses of treatment. The test also looks at the antibodies your body has produced in reaction to the allergen.

If the body recognises strawberries as dangerous, Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are produced specifically against them. Histamine is released as a result of these antibodies, which causes the symptoms of a strawberry allergy.

Apollo 24|7 provides a quick, almost painless Strawberry Allergy test to identify the strawberry allergy status without the inconvenience of traditional skin prick tests. This test counts the quantity of allergen-specific antibodies present in a blood specimen. The extent of a strawberry allergy will vary from person to person. A Strawberry Allergy test provides numerical results for IgE antibody levels that can be used to estimate how severe a person's reaction will be.

A person's doctor should be informed of the positive Strawberry Allergy test results to determine the best course of action. You can take several measures if you learn that you have an allergy. Treating a strawberry allergy may be as simple as eliminating strawberries and related foods from your diet. On rare occasions, your doctor might advise taking Corticosteroids or Antihistamines.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Saibal Moitra, Allergist and clinical immunologist, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata.

Frequently asked questions

Is a blood test available to diagnose a strawberry allergy?

Yes. An IgE blood test for strawberry allergies counts the number of IgE antibodies specific to strawberries in the body. No extra preparation is needed for the test.

What allergenic protein is present in strawberries?

A significant category of allergens found in strawberries is the Fra a protein family. The Fra a proteins are made up of many Isoforms that are encoded by numerous Fra a genes. Based on genomic sequence data, 16 sequences that correspond to Fra a genes have been discovered in the diploid strawberry Fragaria vesca.

What occurs if a person has a strawberry allergy?

The indications of a strawberry allergy typically appear minutes to two hours after eating, similar to other kinds of food allergies. Typical symptoms include throat constriction, itchy mouth, skin redness and irritation, wheezing, coughing, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and dizziness.

How widespread is a strawberry allergy?

Strawberry allergies are infrequent and typically only result in a mild to moderate response. However, some individuals may get a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction and need immediate medical care. An allergy may occasionally become less severe over time.

How long does it take for a strawberry allergy to manifest?

The majority of strawberry allergy symptoms appear between minutes to hours. Even the mere touch of strawberries can cause severe reactions in some people.

How widespread are strawberry allergies in youngsters?

The most typical allergy in children is a food allergy. They impact 6 to 8% of children below the age of 3. Strawberry allergies, however, are less frequent. They affect 3- 4% of children under the age of 2. And as children become older, this percentage goes down. If your child develops a rash around their mouth, it may be caused by acidic meals like tomatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries, and other berries.