Kiwi fruit allergy

Kiwi fruits are present in syrups, baked goods, fruit shakes and cocktails, as dry fruits, ice cream, yogurt, puddings, cereals etc.

Kiwi fruit allergy normally occurs in children and in adults. Kiwi allergy is similar to latex fruit allergy symptoms. People might also develop OAS. Most reactions of Kiwi fruits are limited to inflammation and itching of mouth and throat. Individuals may develop harsh reactions such as difficulty in breathing, anaphylactic shock and death!

Kiwi becomes prevalent allergen when it cross reacts with other food substances including birch pollen, banana, rye grain and hazelnuts.

Kiwi allergy was first reported in 1981 and since then have become one of the most common allergies in Europe and America. Some suspect that where there is more birch there is likely to have more kiwi allergy.  Few varieties of kiwi like gold kiwi marketed as Zespri Gold contain less allergen. Still people who are allergic to green kiwi fruits can show reaction to gold kiwi fruits.

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