Content
Allergy to oranges is common in both children and adults. Intolerance to citrus fruits can be partial, which manifests itself only when overeating, and absolute, when it is better not to even try the fruit.
Why are you allergic to oranges?
Any allergy develops according to the same pattern. The immune system perceives a certain substance that has entered the body as a pathogen and releases antibodies into the blood - immunoglobulins E. By combining with mast cells and basophils, these cells provoke the release of histamine. This mediator affects the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system and does not cause harm in small quantities.
Excessive amounts of histamine lead to the development of negative processes. In particular, capillaries in the body expand, and the permeability of their walls increases, swelling appears, and the blood thickens. The adrenal glands actively secrete adrenaline, which provokes a narrowing of small arteries, a person’s heart rate increases and the production of digestive enzymes increases.
A negative immune reaction to oranges can be caused by several reasons:
- heredity - if the parents have an allergy, then with a high probability it will manifest itself in the child;
- weakened immune system - intolerance to citrus fruits often develops in people living in unfavorable environmental conditions;
- autoimmune, cardiovascular and digestive disorders - the body spends a lot of resources to maintain normal well-being, and when external allergens enter, a negative immune reaction occurs;
- changes in hormonal levels - intolerance is caused by foods that were previously digested normally;
- intestinal parasites - allergies to citrus fruits and other fruits often develop due to helminthic infestations.
Pregnant and lactating women often experience orange intolerance. Allergies often develop in children under three years of age, so it is generally not recommended to offer citrus fruits to children.
Immunostimulants or immunosuppressants can provoke a temporary allergy to oranges
What does an orange allergy look like?
Symptoms of an allergy to oranges are approximately the same in adults and children. They develop almost immediately after citrus enters the body, and in some cases even skin contact with the juice of the fruit is sufficient.
Symptoms of an allergy to oranges in a child
Young children have sensitive immune systems and vulnerable digestive tracts. Therefore, their allergy to oranges is especially pronounced and occurs after consuming a minimal amount of citrus pulp.
Individual intolerance in young children is expressed in the following symptoms:
- dermatitis and urticaria - redness quickly spreads over the skin and is accompanied by severe itching;
- swelling of the eyelids and tearfulness;
- diarrhea and nausea;
- frequent urination;
- sneezing, allergic runny nose or nasal congestion;
- drowsiness and weakness;
- flatulence and severe belching;
- bronchospasm and asthmatic attacks;
- Quincke's edema.
Children aged two to seven years old are especially likely to suffer from allergies to oranges. In older age, intolerance often goes away or becomes less severe.
Signs in adults
The symptoms of allergies in adults are not much different from the signs of intolerance in children. But they are usually less pronounced. Only in rare cases do serious negative consequences develop from the consumption of citrus fruits.
Symptoms of an allergy to orange fruits in adults are:
- skin rashes - both moderate and very severe;
- severe itching of the epidermis;
- swelling and redness;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- nausea and vomiting;
- allergic rhinitis and cough;
- lacrimation and inflammation of the conjunctiva;
- spasm of the respiratory tract and voice disturbance;
- dizziness;
- fainting.
With a severe allergy to oranges, adults may experience heart rhythm disturbances, as well as angioedema.
An allergy to oranges can lead to a sharp decrease in blood pressure
How to treat an allergy to oranges
There are no reliable treatment regimens for food intolerance. Typically, therapy is limited to eliminating symptoms and preventing the development of complications.
First aid
When the first symptoms of an allergy appear, it is necessary, first of all, to assess their severity.If a child or adult feels generally fine, but suffers from rashes or digestive upset, you can limit yourself to any antihistamines at home.
If the signs of an allergy are severe and a person requires medical attention, the first step is to give him activated carbon or another sorbent. This will slow down the absorption of the pathogen into the blood and improve the condition slightly. Immediately after taking the sorbent you need to call an ambulance. Specialists will give the patient an injection of adrenaline or give corticosteroids that can relieve severe symptoms of allergies.
Treatment at home
Severe allergy attacks may require hospitalization. But more often, the consequences of a negative reaction of the body are treated at home.
The fight against orange allergy symptoms is carried out comprehensively. To eliminate manifestations of intolerance, use:
- antihistamine ointments that relieve redness, swelling and itching of the skin;
- cold drops;
- allergy tablets or syrups;
- antibiotics that prevent the development of secondary infections;
- probiotics that help restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
If the allergy is accompanied by an increase in temperature, the doctor may prescribe an antipyretic drug. But usually such drugs are not resorted to unless the fever becomes really severe.
In case of severe allergic rhinitis, it is necessary to rinse the nose with saline solution to avoid the development of sinusitis.
Diagnostics
If you have a serious allergy to oranges, you should first get diagnosed. Research will help ensure that it is citrus fruits that cause intolerance, will help determine whether this is a real or false reaction, and will also bring us closer to understanding the causes of the immune response.
Diagnosis of allergies consists of two main stages:
- external general examination of the patient and history taking;
- clinical diagnosis.
There are three ways to accurately determine whether you are allergic to oranges:
- Using venous blood analysis. A sample of biological fluid is examined for specific antibodies, and a search is also carried out for cells characteristic of certain allergic reactions.
- Through a skin test. Small punctures are made on a small area of the back or forearm and lubricated with several liquids containing potential allergens. If one of the compositions really causes intolerance in a person, then after 30-60 minutes noticeable redness will appear at the application site.
- Using food challenge. This method is the most dangerous, and diagnosis is usually carried out in a hospital setting. The bottom line is that after two weeks of a strict diet, the patient is offered a capsule with a possible allergen, and then the body’s reaction is observed throughout the day.
It is especially important to undergo a diagnosis if intolerance to oranges appears suddenly, although it did not exist before.
Prevention
The most reliable way to prevent an allergy to oranges is to completely avoid citrus fruits. It is necessary to resort to it if even a small amount of pulp causes a sharp negative reaction from the body.It is possible that along with oranges, other citrus fruits will have to be removed from the diet, since the composition of such fruits is largely the same.
If the allergy is mild, then the fruits are excluded from the menu temporarily, and after a certain period of time, the pulp is carefully tasted again. Symptoms of intolerance especially often appear and disappear on their own in children and pregnant women. To understand whether the allergy has been neutralized or not, you can also undergo laboratory diagnostics again.
In case of mild intolerance, it makes sense to resort to the following practice - oranges continue to be eaten, but in microscopic quantities, gradually increasing the volume. In this case, the body must get used to the citrus fruit and stop perceiving it as a pathogen.
An allergy to oranges is often accompanied by intolerance to other fruits with brightly colored peels.
Conclusion
An allergy to oranges can lead to serious consequences for the body. At the first negative signs, you need to provide urgent assistance to an adult or child. In some cases, the body reacts to citrus fruits so severely that medical intervention is required.
