Cross allergy

When you bite into the apple or apricot, the mouth suddenly begins to itch. Shortness of breath becomes noticeable after the chocolate cake. These signs indicate a Cross allergy down. But what exactly is it all about?

What is a cross allergy?

A Cross allergy always occurs when there is already another allergy.The symptoms of cross allergy can be similar to those of pollen allergy.

Sneezing fits, watery eyes, itchy rashes, and shortness of breath. However, since the allergen gets into the body when eating and is not only absorbed through the air like pollen, a cross allergy can also be dangerous. The swelling of the mouth or the windpipe can threaten asphyxiation.

In the worst case, a cross allergy can lead to anaphylactic shock. This state of shock is life-threatening and requires emergency medical care.

causes

The cause of Cross allergies are clear: The patient has an allergy and is now reacting to other substances. A cross allergy has developed. The reason: Due to the similarity in the structures of certain allergens, the patient suddenly also reacts to previously well-tolerated foods.

A cross allergy is very common in pollen allergy sufferers. Almost half of the birch pollen allergy sufferers also react to stone fruit, soy, celery and nuts. People allergic to grass pollen can develop a cross allergy to peanuts, potatoes, cereals, soy and tomatoes. An allergy to house dust mites can also easily develop a cross allergy. Suddenly, those affected can no longer tolerate marine animals.

Sometimes it is enough if, in the case of a cross allergy, the threatening foods are only removed from the dining table during the pollen season. Sometimes, however, only a consistent and decades-long waiver helps.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

The cross allergy can manifest itself in different symptoms. They depend on the one hand on the main allergen and on the other hand on the way in which the allergenic substance comes into contact with the patient. Contact with the skin, contact with the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and throat, with the respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract come into question.

The symptoms of cross allergy in this context are not always the same as in the case of the main allergy. While the birch pollen allergy is one of the allergies that irritate the mucus stimuli and cause itching of the eyes and runny nose, the cross allergy to apples or nuts can be recognized by tingling and swelling in the mouth and throat area.

Symptoms in the area of ​​the mucous membranes can affect the eyes, nose, throat, and airways in general. Allergic conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) of the eyes manifests itself as itching, reddening and swelling. The mucous membranes of the nose react with secretion and sneezing fits occur. An allergic cough is also possible. Complication that can occur with almost all cross allergies is anaphylactic shock with shortness of breath and loss of consciousness.

Allergens that get into the mouth with food cause tingling and swelling there and can become apparent in the further course of digestion with gastrointestinal complaints. Allergens that react on contact with the skin are contact allergens. Here the skin forms itchy, sometimes weeping wheals.

Diagnosis & course

The suspicion of one Cross allergy must be confirmed by the doctor. If allergic symptoms have occurred, the allergist will examine the blood to identify any allergens. In a conversation he will discuss how to proceed with the patient.

In addition, the doctor will inform you about all allergens that can also trigger a cross allergy. If there is only one allergy to pollen and no cross allergy has yet occurred, those high-risk allergens should still be avoided as a precaution or at least their consumption restricted.

The ingredients of finished products should also be read carefully. Because with a cross allergy, even the slightest traces are enough to trigger an allergic reaction.

Complications

Since the allergic reaction to a cross allergy is essentially the same as to a common allergy, the cross allergy can have just as serious consequences as any other allergy. Cross-allergies can lead to different symptoms depending on their severity. If, for example, the cross allergy exists in addition to a pollen allergy in the form of a food allergy, complaints in the mouth and throat area, but also in the gastrointestinal tract, are to be expected when eating certain foods.

Severe symptoms of a cross allergy can be very dangerous. As with general allergies, cross allergies can lead to serious complications, such as allergic shock. The allergic shock as a life-threatening complication can impair the blood circulation and, in extreme cases, lead to cardiac arrest. Since allergic shock is an emergency, it must be treated by a doctor with medication or CPR for cardiac arrest.

Another complication is dyspnoea, which can occur in both the original allergy and the cross allergy. The allergic reaction can swell the mucous membranes on the larynx, in the windpipe and in the bronchi. By narrowing the inner cross-section, the flow of air is hindered, causing shortness of breath. If contact with the respective allergen can be avoided, the occurrence of possible complications can be minimized.

When should you go to the doctor?

Those affected who suffer from an allergic reaction should always get detailed information from a doctor about possible cross-allergies. As soon as the presence of an allergy has been confirmed via medical tests, extensive information must be obtained about cross-links to other allergic triggers. If, however, watery eyes, itchy skin or discoloration of the skin's appearance occur when eating food, a doctor should be consulted. A runny nose, reddening of the eyes or a sore throat immediately after eating are further indications of an intolerance.

Consult a doctor for medical treatment. The sudden and rapid appearance of pustules and poplars on the skin indicates irregularities that should be investigated. If there is a tightness in the throat or shortness of breath, consult a doctor as soon as possible. In the event of interruptions in breathing, a feeling of suffocation or the loss of breathing activity, an ambulance service must be alerted. People who have severe anxiety or panic attack due to decreased breathing need a doctor immediately. If the person concerned experiences anaphylactic shock, their life is in danger. An emergency doctor must be called and first aid measures must be initiated immediately by those present so that survival is ensured.

Treatment & Therapy

Remains one Cross allergy and the associated pollen or house dust mite allergy, if left untreated, threatens to worsen the symptoms. A gradual shift from watery eyes and fits of sneezing to shortness of breath, skin reactions and even cardiovascular collapse takes place.

If the dreaded anaphylactic shock occurs, a cross allergy can even lead to death if untreated. Treatment for a cross allergy begins with figuring out the original allergy. If this allergy is combated, the cross allergy often also disappears. If an allergy is left untreated, there is a risk of further allergies and cross-allergies. The life of those affected is becoming more and more restricted.

In the first place, allergens should be avoided. This includes all foods related to cross allergy. Medicines are used to relieve symptoms. Acupuncture, autologous blood therapy, the consumption of black cumin oil, nettle tea or homeopathic globules have already led to some healing. However, these alternative forms of treatment do not help all patients.

Desensitization is recommended in conventional medicine. Here tiny amounts of the allergen are injected under the patient's skin. Once the pollen allergy is treated, the cross allergy to the food often also improves.

Outlook & forecast

There are experience reports from those affected in whom allergies and thus cross allergies have grown together, in which they suddenly disappeared. This is not the rule. Those who manage to consistently avoid the allergen have the best prognosis for not suffering any health damage from a cross allergy. If this is possible, there is usually no further allergic reaction that would be considered hazardous to health.

Since it is not always possible to consistently avoid an allergen, desensitization also has a good prognosis for many people affected. Anyone who attends all the appointments at which weakened pathogens are injected for increasing desensitization has a good chance of not experiencing any or at least only weakened allergic reactions.

If this is also not possible, those affected have to live with medication that is administered as needed to interrupt the allergic reactions caused by the cross allergy. Today's drugs are very safe and so well tolerated that children can usually be treated well with them. If the medication is taken as prescribed by the doctor, the prognosis is good that the cross allergy can be brought under control.

prevention

A Cross allergy cannot always be prevented. However, it is important to avoid the allergy triggers. Indoor molds should be eliminated. Tobacco smoke is also harmful to the body. A mother should only breastfeed her child for at least six months to reduce the risk of allergies.

If there is already an allergy, certain foods should be consumed with caution. These include nuts (allergy to hazel pollen), stone fruits, carrots, celery (allergy to birch pollen), spices (allergy to mugwort) and tomato, kiwi, melon (allergy to grass pollen).

Aftercare

The question of aftercare depends on the success of the initial therapy. Basically, there is a chance to achieve a cure with the help of desensitization. If this succeeds, no aftercare is necessary. The recurrence of the cross allergy is excluded. In all other cases the disease persists.

Follow-up care aims to avoid acute contact with allergens and to train the patient for everyday life. This happens in a conversation. Scheduled follow-up examinations, such as those known from tumor diseases, are not provided. The person concerned therefore has a high degree of personal responsibility. When preparing meals, certain foods are to be avoided or prepared in such a way that they do not cause intolerance.

Nutritional advice promises long-term freedom from symptoms. The prevention of complications is also a mainstay of the follow-up care. It can happen again and again that an allergic reaction occurs due to carelessness. In this case, the patient needs to know how to behave. He will be informed about this as part of the initial diagnosis. By default, those affected should have an allergy passport and an emergency bag with medication with them. However, these measures are only suggested by doctors. Implementation falls to the sick themselves.

You can do that yourself

If you have a cross allergy, there are some helpful tips that allergy sufferers can use to make everyday life easier. The preparation can help if you have allergic reactions to fruit or vegetables. Instead of raw apples or cherries, cooked alternatives such as apple or cherry pie or apple compote can be more tolerable. Carrots are also more tolerable when cooked. Often, individual varieties already make the difference.

For allergy sufferers, largely avoiding alcohol can also be very helpful, as alcohol can intensify the allergic reaction. The same applies to stress. It is therefore important to avoid possible stressful situations and stress in everyday life. When it comes to nutrition, individual nutritional advice is recommended in order to find possible food alternatives.

Basically, drugs help to alleviate the various symptoms of an allergy. These can be tablets, sprays for inhalation, creams or ointments or injections. A balanced diet is also important, as is avoiding the allergen. In the case of strong allergic reactions, those affected and the people around them should be informed about how to deal with severe circulatory problems in the event of an allergic reaction. This includes an allergy pass and an allergy emergency kit with appropriate medication. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle can relieve allergies and reduce symptoms.