Peanuts, soy beans, peas, lentils are some of the legumes which cause an allergy. The allergy is caused due to the proteins present in the legumes. People with allergy to a particular legume may also be allergic to other legumes. However, it is observed that only 5% of people with peanut allergy are allergic to other legumes.
What causes Legume Allergy?
The immune system mistakenly identifies the proteins present in the legume as harmful and reacts against it. Legumes also share a similar protein structure. Hence, if you are allergic to a particular legume, there are higher chances that you are allergic to other legumes too. An allergic test can be helpful to check if you are allergic to other legumes or not.
Symptoms of Legume Allergy:
Following are some of the symptoms of allergy to legumes
- Swelling of the mouth, lips and tongue
- Skin reactions such as hives, rashes, redness, itching
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Severe symptoms such as breathlessness, dizziness, low blood pressure. These are the symptoms of anaphylaxis -severe allergic reaction
Legumes which can cause an allergy:
Peanuts, soy beans, lentils and peas are some of the allergy causing legumes. Lupine is another legume which is ground into a flour. It is widely used in European countries and can cause an allergy.
If you suspect legume allergy, you can consult your allergist. A skin prick test or blood test can be done to find out the legumes to which you are allergic to.
Treatment:
If an individual experiences severe allergic reaction such as dizziness, breathlessness, he/she should be administered epinephrine immediately. For milder reactions, antihistamines or corticosteroids can be used.
Legume allergy can be prevented by avoiding the particular allergic legume. Being careful while cooking, eating out, and while shopping for food are the few ways in which you can prevent an allergy.
