Have you experienced itching around the mouth, hives, and diarrhea after eating mushrooms? If your answer is yes, you might be suffering from mushroom allergies. Mushroom allergies are rare, affecting only about 1% of the population. However, they do exist and people with mushroom allergies should be careful.
Facts About Mushroom Allergy:
People whose work involves constant exposure to mushrooms are at high risk of allergies. This includes people working in the food industry and in hotels, where handling of mushrooms is required. Mushroom allergy can be developed suddenly. A person who has eaten mushrooms all his life may suddenly experience allergies.
Allergies to mushrooms can be caused due to consumption or due to inhalation. Some people overcome the allergy once the mushroom is cooked. This might be because, the mushroom proteins change their shape once they are cooked.
Symptoms of Mushroom Allergy:
- Oral Allergy syndrome: Itching or burning of the mouth and lips. Swelling of the lips and tongue.
- Hives/ itchiness all over the body
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Breathlessness
In rare cases, the above reaction can progress to loss of consciousness, dizziness and low blood pressure. These are the symptoms of anaphylactic reaction which can be life threatening. Immediate administration of epinephrine can prevent this reaction.
Allergy or Intolerance?
Mushroom intolerance can sometimes be misunderstood with mushroom allergy. An intolerance involves diarrhea, abdominal cramps and it results when the body is not able to break down the mushroom properly and digest it.
If you have doubts as to whether you have an allergy or intolerance, consult an allergist and take allergy tests. Skin prick tests or blood tests can determine if you have mushroom allergies.
If you have mushroom allergy, you should stay away from mushroom containing foods. While eating out, enquire about the ingredients and avoid mushroom-containing foods. Also read the food labels and avoid foods which have mushroom as an ingredient. Always carry a self-injectable epinephrine to prevent an anaphylactic reaction.
More information on Mushroom allergy
Mushroom allergy symptoms can occur by eating mushrooms, by touch, or even from inhaling particles. In some cases, your heart may race and your lips and tongue become swollen if you have eaten the mushroom. You may suffer rashes or terrible itching, if you touch the mushroom.
If the reaction is mild, remain calm. You can use a paper bag to breathe into. Take deep breaths. You can also take an antihistamine like Benadryl to ease the symptoms. In case of severe breathing difficulty, call 911 at once.
If you break into a rash over your body, take a topical steroid or Benadryl. Other medications are available to ease the rash, or the itching from hives. As a home remedy, you can try calamine lotion to deal with the itch. Or, add a small amount of oatmeal to the water in a warm bath and soak in it for a while.
