Allergies to citrus in adults and children: causes, symptoms and treatment

Allergic reactions are the body's intolerance to certain types of foods. The illness can start to bother both from childhood and in more mature age - in 30, 40 or even 50 years.

Any product can provoke it. Very often there is a reaction to the use of citrus fruits and other fruits. In this case, the causes of allergies, as well as its symptoms may differ in adults and children.

The causes of allergies to citrus in children

Any allergy develops due to certain failures in the human immune system, as a result of which mediators of inflammation begin to be developed . In the case of citrus, the situation is aggravated by the presence in them of salicylates, benzoates, amines, since they contribute to the release of histamine, which also provokes the body's reaction.

Allergies to citrus in children can be in the case of:

1. Heredity. In this case, the allergy to citrus fruits is transmitted to the child before his birth.
2. Failures in the functioning of the immune system. As a result of these failures, the body reacts incorrectly to the protein of the consumed product (antigen) and an allergic reaction occurs.
3. The consumption of a large number of fruits in a short period of time.

Usually, the allergy to citrus fruits is combined with intolerance to one or more types of foods.

The causes of allergy to citrus in adults

Allergy to citrus in adults is usually associated with other causes. Often intolerance of these fruits is associated with diseases of the stomach, liver or dysbiosis.

The only thing that can trigger the appearance of allergies in both the child and the adult is an overdose of citrus fruits. Therefore, eating them for food costs within reason.

Allergies to citrus: symptoms in children

In childhood, allergies in most cases occur due to food intolerance of certain foods. In this case, a combination of the following symptoms (all or several at once) can be observed:

• The appearance of a rash on the face or body. It can be in the form of small dots or spots.
• Diathesis. It appears as a strong reddening of the cheeks (in some cases, the chin).
• Sneezing and mucous discharge.
• Redness of the eyes.
• Pain syndrome.
• Severe itching on the skin.
• The appearance of a dry cough that has the nature of seizures.

In more complex cases, flatulence, colic in the abdomen, vomiting or diarrhea, and lack of appetite can be observed .

In order not to aggravate the situation even more, it is necessary immediately to exclude from the diet the product that caused the allergic reaction.

How does allergy to citrus in adults

Allergies can occur not only during eating in citrus food, but also during the inhalation of their odor. Fetal enzymes settle on the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth and cause irritation, which manifests itself as a dry cough or sneezing.

Allergy to citrus on the face can occur in people suffering from contact dermatitis. This occurs as a result of contact of the fetus with the skin or while using natural cosmetics with citrus extracts.

In most cases, the allergy to citrus in adults is manifested in the form of conjunctivitis or acute rhinitis.

If the allergy was triggered by malfunctions in the digestive system, then reactions to the skin in the form of a rash and severe itching can be observed.

If the allergic reaction causes an attack of suffocation, dizziness, swelling in the face, severe weakness, you must immediately call an ambulance!

Diagnosis of allergies to citrus fruits

Diagnosis is based on the collected history, laboratory research and clinical picture.

It is necessary to trace the relationship between eating the possible allergen (in this case citrus) and the occurrence of allergic reactions. In addition, samples are taken from the skin, which are compared with the enzymes of orange, mandarin and lemon, to make sure that the allergy has arisen on these, and not any other products.

Allergy during pregnancy

Any allergy in pregnant women requires special attention and treatment. During this period, self-medication is both strictly prohibited by both medicamental and folk remedies! Only an experienced doctor will be able to prescribe antihistamines that will help a future mother and not harm her baby.

At the same time, one should not forget about the important fact: excessive consumption of citrus during the pregnancy can in the future cause allergic reactions to them in the child. This does not mean that you need to give up this product. Just use it in moderation - no more than two fruits at a time.

Medicinal treatment of allergies to citrus fruits

Before you begin to treat allergies, you should remove the product that triggered her appearance. It is important not only not to eat it, but also to remove it completely from the house, since allergic reactions can occur not only as a result of application to food, but also during the inhalation of the fruit's fragrance (this has already been mentioned above).

After this, you need to see a doctor who will confirm that this is really allergic to citrus fruits. Treatment is carried out with the help of the following drugs:

1. Antihistamines.

Most often, drugs based on cromoglycic acid ("Cromoglin", "Narcon") are prescribed. In addition, such drugs are widely used against allergies, such as Zirtek, Claritin, Kestin.

The course of therapy with the help of these drugs can reach three months.

2. Enterosorbents.

Their reception is obligatory in case of occurrence of an allergy against the background of disorders of the digestive system. The drugs will help quickly remove toxins from the body and reduce the inflammatory response.

The most famous and inexpensive sorbents: activated carbon and Smecta.

3. Ointments.

Medicinal ointments and creams help to remove irritation from the skin, reduce itching and redness, and have a healing effect.

Most often it is appointed "Celestoderm" or "Elokom".

4. Hormonal means.

They are used only on prescription of the doctor and in exceptional cases. This refers to situations when antihistamines did not bring absolutely no effect.

The course of treatment with hormonal drugs is chosen the most minimal.

In addition to the basic means for eliminating allergic reactions, an additional course is carried out to correct the immune reaction of the body with the help of immunomodulators and vitamins.

Folk remedies for the treatment of allergies

The main treatment for allergies should occur with the help of medication and with the complete exclusion of the stimulus. At the same time, there are folk remedies that will help to get rid of the accompanying signs of the disease faster and strengthen the immune system as a whole.

1. Japanese honeysuckle.

For the treatment of boiled broth from the plant. Take it necessary course.

2. Nettles.

The spoon of nettle should be filled with a glass of boiled water and insisted for one hour. The resulting broth should be drunk throughout the day. It helps to cleanse blood, reduce the rash on the skin and strengthen immunity.

3. Honey, propolis.

Allergy to citrus fruits is often treated with the help of bee products. But in this situation it is important to consider that they are also strong allergens, so it is important to carefully monitor changes in health during treatment.

4. Mumiyo.

One gram of mummy must be diluted in a liter of water and drink the resulting solution within one day. Children will have a maximum of two glasses a day.

Such therapy takes one month.

Treating allergies with folk remedies often takes a long time. Therefore, between the courses of taking infusions and decoctions of herbs it is important not to forget to make at least minimal breaks of 1-2 weeks in length.

Usually the allergy completely passes in case of absence of contact with citrus for 6 months. You can check this by eating a few flesh. As a rule, allergy symptoms no longer occur. It remains only in the future to monitor the amount of product used.

If the allergy is returned, it indicates any hidden problems of the body, so for their detection it is necessary to undergo a complete examination.