Citrus fruits are good nutritious foods. They are rich in Vitamin C and with rich source of carbohydrates, sugars, vitamins and minerals. They are recommended by many doctors as a must-take inclusion in the diet. But for some people citrus fruits can adversely affect their health by inducing allergic reaction. These people are allergic to citrus and thus citrus fruits are “No-No” for them.
However, one should know the difference between citrus allergy and citrus intolerance. Citrus allergy is the adverse reaction caused due to proteins present in the citrus fruit, where as citrus intolerance is outcome of indigestion of citric acid by the stomach. Citric intolerance symptoms take more time to manifest than that of citrus fruit allergy.
Pineapples, oranges, grapefruit, plums, clementine, tangerine, ugly, musk melons, lime and lemon are some of citrus fruits that are commonly taken in diet. It is not that all the fruits have the same symptoms being allergic to it. The symptoms vary person to person. Here are the symptoms of the allergy:
Mouth and Tongue:
- Ulceration of tongue
- Lesions in mouth and lips
- Tingling sensations in inner cheeks
Throat:
- Itching and irritation in the throat
- Constriction of throat due to swelling
- Wheezing
Digestive system:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
Respiratory System:
- Asthma attack for asthmatic patients
- Difficulty in breathing
Other symptoms:
- Watery eyes that are itchy sometimes
- Sneezing and coughing
- Hives
- Lowering of blood pressure
The above symptoms can range from mild to serious. Mild reactions can be treated in home with some precautionary measures. They generally do not require medical attention.
Severe allergic reactions to the citrus fruits need immediate medical attention. In very severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis, which can be a potentially fatal condition.
