Member of the Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Assoc. Dr. Zeynep Şengül Emeksiz underlined that an allergy specialist should be consulted in order to evaluate the situation correctly in the problems that develop after citrus consumption. What Is A Citrus Allergy? What Are Citrus Allergy Symptoms and Treatment Methods?
Although the consumption of citrus fruits such as lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, orange and citrus fruits is often recommended for health reasons due to their antioxidant properties and intense vitamin C content, allergic reactions belonging to this food group can reduce the quality of life of the person and put his health at risk.
Stating that the complaints usually occur in a short time after contacting or eating citrus fruit, Turkish National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association Member Assoc. Dr. Zeynep Şengül Emeksiz stated that allergy mostly manifests itself in the form of itching, tingling and slight swelling in the mouth, lips, tongue and throat.
Emeksiz, who stated that although rare, allergic shock situations that require severe and urgent treatment can also be seen, said: Findings such as abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, and feeling of drowsiness develop.
Emphasizing that allergic complaints that occur after consuming raw forms of citrus fruits are more common in people with pollen allergy, Emeksiz said that this condition called Oral Allergy Syndrome is seen as a result of chemical similarity between citrus fruits and pollen, and this situation is explained by cross-sensitivity.
Underlining that those with pollen allergy can consume the cooked form of these fruits without any problems, Assoc. Dr. Zeynep Şengül Emeksiz continued her speech as follows:
“It is known that citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and lemons also show cross-sensitivity among themselves, that is, even if they are allergic to one of these fruits, patients can also give an allergic response to the others. Cross-sensitivity has also been reported between citrus fruits and peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts and cashews in children. Again, in those with orange allergy, cross-sensitivity was determined due to common protein sharing with fruits such as plum, cherry, apricot, especially peach, which are called rosaceae. Patients with a history of allergic reactions to citrus fruits should be examined whether they are really allergic to citrus or an allergy to other foods that show cross-sensitivity.”
On the other hand, Emeksiz also stated that not every situation that develops with citrus fruits can be an allergy.
Emeksiz explains that in the problems that develop after citrus consumption, an allergist should be consulted in order to evaluate the situation correctly. He also underlined that diagnostic skin tests or nutritional challenge tests based on the consumption of food under observation can be performed.