Possible Banana Allergy?

[2angelsinheaven]

The past two nights I've eaten a Banana for a snack within a moment my tounge is itchy and then a bit later I have terrible cramps and tonight I vomitted. From looking online this seems like it could be related to the banana but I also thought maybe it just was a coincidence. But the pain tonight was really awful and I have a few welts on my left arm as well. Any ideas?

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Forgot to mention I have never had an issue before with bananas however I have not had one in about 6 months or so.

 

[C.Ann]

It's entirely possible to develop an allergy to absolutely anything - at any point in your life.. Did you google "banana allergy" to see if there is a list of possible reactions?

 

[Doe]

It could absolutely be banana allergy. My dd has several food allergies but a weird one (and serious one) she has is kiwi . I'd avoid it and see your doc. Some fruits/vegetables cause what's called oral allergy which only affects mouth and is almost never serious but it's totally possible to have an allergy that could be more serious.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I did and it sounds like it but I am shocked that it would come out from the blue.

Here is what I found:
"Others develop banana allergy because of the similarity between the allergens in banana and natural rubber latex (e.g. gloves, condoms, balloons) a condition known as the latex-fruit syndrome. Symptoms developed by these individuals comprise generalised urticaria, abdominal pain, vomiting and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. These individuals often develop adverse reactions to chestnut, avocado, mango and kiwi."

 

[Cool-Beans]

I did and it sounds like it but I am shocked that it would come out from the blue.

Here is what I found:
"Others develop banana allergy because of the similarity between the allergens in banana and natural rubber latex (e.g. gloves, condoms, balloons) a condition known as the latex-fruit syndrome. Symptoms developed by these individuals comprise generalised urticaria, abdominal pain, vomiting and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. These individuals often develop adverse reactions to chestnut, avocado, mango and kiwi."

I can't eat any of that and a slew of other crap. Have not, as of now, developed a latex allergy. I worry about that all the time. But so far, so good!

Bananas were the first food of many that I had to cross off the list due to allergies/intolerances. I miss bananas. I miss bananas so much.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Wow Cool Beans did it just develop out of the blue with you? I use to eat them EVERY day, two times a day (was a vegan for awhile). But it has been 6months or so since I last eat them and the past two nights were the first two and both nights I felt HORRIBLE afterwards, serious stomach pains, etc. Did your allergy start the same way?

 

[Imzadi]

I'm allergic to many raw fruits & veggies.
I can have them cooked, canned or baked. Somehow the heating process breaks down whatever I'm allergic to. I really miss melons. What the heck is there in a watermelon to be allergic to?

 

[mvazul]

I am very allergic to bananas. I am also allergic to pineapple, coconut and walnuts - but not nearly as much as the bananas.

It started when I was younger - maybe late grade school/early high school. But, I would still eat them. It started out as just an itchy tongue. As I got older, the symptoms got worse. At this point, I can't even have bananas in the house. I tried to buy some for my kids' lunches last year, but I had to make sure my hands did not come in contact. Then, once they were home, the more they ripened the more sick to my stomach I got - just from them being in the house. I just avoid them at all costs now. It's hard walking through the produce section. I have to practically sprint past the bananas.

I learned the hard way - while on vaction at Disney in August - that I also can't eat mango and papaya. I had macadamia nut crusted chicken with mango and papaya at Wolfgang Puck's. It was my very first contact with either fruit. I was so sick the rest of the night. To be safe, I avoid all tropical fruits now.

I am so sad to not be able to eat bananas anymore. I absolutely loved them. Plus, my grandmother makes some of the best banana nut bread around. No more for me.

Definitely take this seriously. Good luck!!!

Michelle

PS - my allergy started when I was younger, but it has progressed to exactly what you are describing. I am usually doubled over in pain with cramps, nausea and horrible diarrhea. Blech!! So not worth eating them anymore.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Like almost all the foods I can't eat, bananas started bugging me by making the roof of my mouth tender and "swollen." Of all the things I can't eat, I miss bananas the most.

Sounds to me like you have an allergy or intolerance. They're different, but most people refer to intolerances as "allergies." Talk to your doc.

Good luck!

 

[wowsmom]

I agree with everyone else...it definitely sounds like an allergy. I had a neighbor who was first allergic to latex, then banana, then apples and peaches. She couldn't even cut up an apple for her kids without having a reaction.

For you, for now, I'd say avoid the bananas - and take some Benadryl - that should help with the welts.

By the way, you can have different reactions to different foods you are allergic to. For example, clams make my throat swell shut. Scallops make all food/stomach contents exit my body rapidly in both directions (sorry, TMI!) - and made my face all congested - not just my nose but my whole face. Crab gives me horrible stomach cramps. So I avoid all shellfish and also things like Chinese food, where they use sauces that contain shellfish.

 

[CJBaby]

It's interesting that you should mention being allergic to bananas. I had no idea that they were allergenic, but I recently stopped eating them (amongst a million other things) trying to figure out what was really hurting my breastfed baby! He stopped shreking in pain, but I'm not sure which food did it, or if it's his reflux medicine that's helping him. I've been too afraid to reintroduce anything, but I was eating a lot of bananas, and now I'm thinking they may be the key.

Good luck.

 

[bumbershoot]

To the OP, just to make sure for your sake, were they organic? I know bananas have a thick skin, but you might as well try to see if it was a pesticide thing or an actual fruit thing.

Twice while living in South Carolina I bought peaches from a roadside stand, and twice my mouth and lips went completely and totally numb, and I felt ill. Very very freaky. I had a strong feeling it was a pesticide issue, and I've never had a non-organic peach since. Never had that reaction again, either.

It's interesting that you should mention being allergic to bananas. I had no idea that they were allergenic, but I recently stopped eating them (amongst a million other things) trying to figure out what was really hurting my breastfed baby! He stopped shreking in pain, but I'm not sure which food did it, or if it's his reflux medicine that's helping him. I've been too afraid to reintroduce anything, but I was eating a lot of bananas, and now I'm thinking they may be the key.

Aw, good for you! You're getting lots of support through LLL, family and friends, message boards and the like, I hope? If not and you want someone to bounce ideas off of, feel free to PM me. Let's put it this way, I quit LLL b/c I knew more from growing up than I could ever have learned from those women...I am my own nursing support group.

When DS was new I was taking grapefruit seed extract for a yeast issue, then for some unknown reason ate a HUGE grapefruit, and for the next 2 days DS had the nastiest (non-yeast) diaper rash...poor kid. I cut out the grapefruit after that, just wasn't worth having it go through me in such quantities!


Good luck all in figuring out your reaction! My aunt is allergic to avocados, and no one ever believes her!

 

[dbogen]

Finding this thread is wierd because last week I asked my DS(12) why he didn't have a banana. He told me because it makes the roof of his mouth itch. I didn't know what to say to that, who the heck is allergic to bananas??? Well now I know it is possible. We don't have any other food allergies although DS(15) doesn't like peanut butter. Whoes kids are these?????

 

[LaraK]

On of my son's allergies is to bananas...if you have a tropical fruit allergy, be realy careful with any latex products. If you ever need medical care, be sure to mention a banana sensitivity so they can give you latex free products.

 

[Christine]

My DD's friend who is 16 just developed a severe banana allergy this year.

She LOVES bananas and eats several per day. She noticed that she was starting to get little "bumps" on her torso after eating them. She told her doctor and he said that it was probably a mild allergy and she need not worry about it. She kept eating them and finally went into anaphylaxis and spent the night in the hospital.

So be careful.

 

[mickeysgal]

DS now 17 used to eat a ton of bananas when he was younger (Jungle Book's Mogli was his favorite character at the time). Now he says they make his throat itch which goes away when he drinks something. We told the doctor and he confirmed it was an allergy, but only in it's raw state. In other words, he could eat cooked bananas. I'm always sure to mention this now when he is at the doctor or a dentist now in case of a latex allergy. I have to wonder whether eating so much of it when he was a baby/toddler triggered this reaction?

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Thank you so much for all your replies. I will avoid them tonight and see if I have any issues, I'll have DF pack his in a different lunch bag than my lunch. This would be an awful allergy to develop especially since I've read banana allergens are also found in avocados. They are my favorite!

 

[KariC]

I did and it sounds like it but I am shocked that it would come out from the blue.

Here is what I found:
"Others develop banana allergy because of the similarity between the allergens in banana and natural rubber latex (e.g. gloves, condoms, balloons) a condition known as the latex-fruit syndrome. Symptoms developed by these individuals comprise generalised urticaria, abdominal pain, vomiting and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. These individuals often develop adverse reactions to chestnut, avocado, mango and kiwi."

yep....

Add me to the list.....(not of foods to avoid, but the list allergic to bananas) My mouth itches, I have a bit of wheezing, and, if my daughter eats one and kisses me hours later, my cheek will itch (this just discovered).

I AM allergic to Latex, the foods above, other tree nuts, and peanuts.

Just buy me a bubble....

 

[Imzadi]

Sounds to me like you have an allergy or intolerance. They're different, but most people refer to intolerances as "allergies."

Cool-Beans, what's the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?