Banana Allergy

Banana fruits are eaten fresh and fruits are ingredients of juice, syrups, fruit shakes and cocktails.

Bananas can be included in ice cream, yogurt, mixed dry fruits, pudding, breakfast cereals, energy bards, as essence, bakery items, flavoring additive and in cosmetics (as banana peel).

Banana allergy can happen in two different forms – one similar to tree pollen allergy (birch) and similar to latex allergy. In the first form, after eating fresh banana or banana containing food allergy can develop either immediately or after an hour or so. Symptoms: local reactions in mouth and itching throat and inflammation. This is oral allergy syndrome or OAS.

In the second type – banana allergy resembles latex allergy (balloons, gloves etc.) and is known as latex fruit syndrome. Symptoms: abdominal pain, vomiting, generalized urticaria. Individual may develop life threatening reactions.

Banana allergy is cross linked with combination of other species such as: ragweed pollen allergy with banana and melon allergies; multiple pollen allergies with banana, melon, watermelon, citrus fruits and tomato allergies.

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