Everyone is looking forward to the end of summer to enjoy this juicy and delicious berry. Looking at a photo of a watermelon, can there be an allergy to it, few people think. However, sometimes even the most harmless products can cause an atypical reaction in a person. Therefore, before buying such natural fruits, it is worth carefully studying the information about them.
Is watermelon allergy possible
First of all, it is worth noting that this berry contains up to 95% of water. It is because of this that the watermelon has diuretic properties. In addition, it contains ascorbic acid, vitamin B, fiber and folic acid.
Based on this, we can conclude whether there can be an allergy to watermelon. The fact is that the human immune system can respond to any of these components. If the body considers these substances alien, then it will begin to fight them, producing specific antibodies.
That is why sometimes after eating a delicious berry a person has an allergic reaction.
In addition, when growing this crop, nitrates and other chemicals are often used, which are used to quickly ripen the fruits and increase their shelf life. Thus, when talking about whether watermelon can cause allergies, it is worth considering not only the natural composition of the berry, but also the additives that are widely used today in growing various crops.
Causes of Allergies
According to experts, most often an allergic reaction occurs in the case of individual intolerance to wormwood or ragweed pollen. As a rule, these plants are always located near watermelon plantations. Therefore, there is a high probability that the pollen of these crops can settle on the outer part of the huge berries or soak their flesh. If a large amount of these components enters the body, this can lead to an unpleasant reaction.
About whether there may be an allergy to watermelon, it is worth considering for those who suffer from a malfunction of the digestive system. With pancreatitis, dysbiosis, gastritis and other diseases, the food that enters the body is not completely digested. Because of this, toxins and toxins begin to accumulate, which leads to possible sensitization.
Also, unpleasant reactions occur in people suffering from allergies to:
- tomatoes, eggplant, black and red pepper;
- melon, cucumbers, squash and squash;
- sunflower seeds and products made from it.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of the disease appear almost immediately after eating sweet berries. Therefore, you can quickly determine if there is an allergy to watermelon in children or adults. It should be borne in mind that such a reaction is possible only on fresh berries. If the pulp has undergone heat treatment, then all allergens are destroyed.
Among the main symptoms it is worth highlighting:
- Itching and tingling on the mucous membrane of the larynx (including tongue and lips). In the throat it can begin to very perspire.
- Attacks of sneezing and increased formation of mucus in the nasal cavity.
- Redness of the eyes, reminiscent of conjunctivitis.
- Urticaria. Blisters and redness appear on the skin.
In addition, when talking about whether there can be an allergy to watermelon, it is worth considering that among the symptoms of a similar reaction, an increase in body temperature, headaches and general weakness are sometimes recorded.
How the disease manifests itself in infants
This berry is not recommended for children under 1 year old. However, even if the parents do not feed the baby a watermelon, he can get it along with his mother’s milk. On the other hand, lactating women are advised to eat watermelon, as it contains a large number of useful components. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the health of the baby.
If after eating the child begins to feel discomfort, colic, his cheeks turn red, and redness appears on the skin, then this delicacy should be excluded from the diet.
Can there be an allergy to watermelon in young children
In this case, allergic reactions also occur. Most often, after eating the berry, children begin to suffer from a skin rash, foci of which appear on the limbs, chest and cheeks. Just like babies, babies can get stomach cramps. In addition, some complain of nausea and diarrhea.
In children, allergic reactions always proceed in a more acute form than in adults. At the same time, the child can become very moody, lethargy and poor sleep are observed.
Before you include a delicious berry in your child’s diet, it’s worthwhile not only to determine whether there is an allergy to watermelon in a child, but also that nitrates are often used to grow this crop. In an incompletely formed organism, they can be absorbed much worse.
How does the disease manifest in adults
Allergic reactions can be not only in children. Although the body of an adult is highly resistant, this does not mean that a delicious berry cannot harm it. He may also suffer from rather unpleasant symptoms. If, after eating food, abdominal pain, gas formation and skin rashes are observed, then it is possible that the natural dessert is to blame.
However, talking about whether a watermelon can cause an allergy in an adult, it is worth considering that all these symptoms can be the cause of a number of other diseases. Therefore, in case of unpleasant sensations, it is worth contacting a specialist and listening to his opinion.
Diagnostics
To determine if a person is allergic to watermelon, the doctor takes special skin tests from the patient.
For self-diagnosis, you need to try to attach a piece of watermelon pulp to the skin on the inside of the elbow. If redness appeared on the skin, then the sweet berry should be discarded. It is also worth monitoring your well-being. If it worsens after consuming watermelon, then this may indicate an allergy.
Treatment
First of all, you need to exclude this fruit from your diet. Usually this is quite enough for the symptoms of the disease to go away. If the discomfort does not disappear, then experts prescribe the following drugs:
- Antihistamines. Means of this category help to quickly get rid of itching, swelling, respiratory manifestations and skin rashes. Among these drugs, Suprastin and Zirtek are the most popular.
- Local exposure. Such drugs include cromoglycic acid based products . Spray "Cromoglin" allows you to quickly get rid of allergic rhinitis. If the disease manifests itself in the form of conjunctivitis, then it is better to use drops called "Cromohexal." With the manifestation of bronchospasm, the Intal aerosol is suitable.
- Hormonal Drugs of this category are recommended to be used only if other methods of treatment have been inactive. In this case, it is recommended to use Prednisolone tablets. When reddening the skin, doctors prescribe Elok ointment.
- Enterosorbents. Preparations of this group are aimed at neutralizing toxins accumulated in the body. These funds contribute to faster elimination of allergens. In order to get rid of an allergic reaction and unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to use activated carbon. Breasts are prescribed Smecta.
Buying drugs without first consulting a doctor is not recommended. The specialist must conduct diagnostic studies, only on the basis of them he will be able to choose the necessary dose of medication for a particular patient.
Also, experts recommend adhering to special diets and exclude a number of components from the diet.
What foods to eat during the treatment
It is necessary to exclude from your diet:
- oranges
- celery;
- bananas
- papaya
- peaches;
- Tomatoes
- avocado;
- kiwi.
You should try to introduce as many vegetables that contain fiber as possible into the diet. Also, experts recommend daily use of high-quality dairy products. Thanks to this nutrition, the intestines will be cleansed faster.
After that, you need to use watermelons very carefully. Pregnant women should not introduce watermelons into the diet, which were used to grow nitrates and other chemical stimulants for the growth of fruits and vegetables.
In the event of an acute reaction to a sweet berry, you need to call an ambulance as soon as possible. In some situations, allergies can cause anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema, which is fatal.