Strawberry Allergy: Signs and What to Do About It

If you react with a strawberry allergy to the red small and tasty fruits, you can do something about it. In this article we have summarized how the allergy manifests itself and what you can do.

The signs of a strawberry allergy

A strawberry allergy rarely comes alone. In most cases, a cross allergy occurs with another allergy.

• Pollen allergy sufferers, more precisely birch pollen allergy sufferers, often do not tolerate strawberries. The reason for this are certain proteins in the red fruits that are similar to birch pollen. There are some cross allergies between birch and food.
• For this reason, the symptoms of a strawberry allergy are similar to those of a birch pollen allergy. If you are affected, you have to expect a blocked or runny nose and sneezing attacks.
• Your mouth can also react by becoming swollen or burning.
• It is also typical that the eyes start to water and burn.
• As with any allergic reaction, a rash or at least reddening of the skin may occur. Another possible skin reaction is hives.
• Anyone who does not tolerate strawberries can react to consumption with vomiting or diarrhea.
• A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling of the face. In addition to the lips, the tongue and throat can also be affected.
• Another possible serious reaction is shortness of breath, which can lead to an asthma attack.
• As you can see, a strawberry allergy can cause mild, severe, and even life-threatening reactions.
• Since you cannot predict which symptoms will occur at the beginning of the allergic reaction, please consult a doctor immediately if you notice an allergic reaction.
• Attention: If you experience shortness of breath, call the emergency doctor immediately or go to an ambulance.

What you can do if you have a strawberry allergy

In principle, if you suffer from a strawberry allergy, you have to forego the enjoyment of the red fruits.

• If there is a birch pollen allergy and the allergy to strawberries is a cross-reaction, hyposensitization to birch pollen can be a long-term solution.
• Mild symptoms of a strawberry allergy can be controlled quite well with an antiallergic drug. However, the drug does not replace the previous visit to the doctor.
• Incidentally, the strawberries themselves or a birch pollen allergy do not necessarily have to be responsible for an allergic reaction.
• If strawberries are stored incorrectly, mold spores can form, which can also trigger an allergic reaction. The same applies to pesticides if the fruit has been treated with them.
• Basically, you should wash strawberries thoroughly before eating. If you want to avoid problems caused by incorrect storage or pesticides, buy the fruit from an organic farmer.
• Alternatively, you can plant strawberries yourself. However, this only makes sense if you don’t have a true strawberry allergy.