Tomato allergy: from causes to treatment

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Tomato allergy is an immune reaction that can cause even serious symptoms. This condition can significantly affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it, making it necessary to avoid the consumption of tomatoes and their derivatives. In the article, its causes, specific symptoms, diagnosis methods and strategies to deal with it effectively.

Index

1. What is tomato allergy
2. Symptoms of tomato allergy
3. Causes of tomato allergy
4. Diagnosis of tomato allergy
5. Can tomato allergy be cured?

L’allergy with tomato it’s a food allergy, that is, a abnormal reaction of the immune system towards a specific food.

Il immune system is made up of specialized cells and organs whose main task is protect the body from external agents potentially harmful, such as bacteria and viruses. THE’allergy manifests itself when the immune system mistakenly recognizes a normally harmless substance as harmful that comes into contact with the individual (called allergen), and activates a inflammatory response to eliminate it, releasing large quantities of it into the bloodstream histamine and other inflammatory molecules. In case of food allergy, some specific proteins contained in foods are recognized as allergens and they can trigger a exaggerated reactionsometimes harmful to the body same.

To learn more about the mechanisms underlying allergic reactions, read our article “Allergic reaction: causes, types and management in case of anaphylaxis”.

It is estimated that thetomato allergy poke around the 4.9% of the European populationand scientists believe that several proteins contained in this vegetable can be recognized as allergensunleashing a abnormal immune response in allergic subjects. Since the chemical structure of proteins degrades when subjected to high temperatures, the cooking of the tomato can, for some people, make this food less allergenic.

Furthermore, some proteins contained in tomatoes have a similar chemical structure to that of the proteins contained in the pollen of some plants and herbs. This can give rise to cross-reaction phenomena, in which a person allergic to pollen can manifest symptoms of that allergy even when coming into contact with tomatoes.

It is important to note that allergy is different from food intolerance: the latter occurs when the ingestion of a food causes unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and stomach ache, but does not cause activation of the immune system.1-4

Also read our article “Lactose intolerance: what it is and how to manage it” to find out more about one of the most common intolerances of all.

I symptoms ofallergy with tomato they can have intensity Very variable. The main ones are:

• urticariarash cutaneo;
• swelling of the lips, tongue or eyelids;
• feeling of burning of mouth, throat and tongue;
• difficulty of swallowing;
• hoarseness e cough;
• respiratory difficulties;
• abdominal pain, diarrheavomit;
• dizziness and loss of consciousness;
• in the most serious cases, anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock.

Allergy symptoms usually appear within two hours from ingesting the tomato, but sometimes they simply manifest themselves upon contact with the vegetable.1-4

A very common allergy, especially in children, is that of strawberries: to find out more, read our article “Strawberry allergy: symptoms, causes, remedies and management advice”.

L’allergy it’s one abnormal reaction of the immune system to tomato proteinswhich occurs only in predisposed subjects. Like other food allergies, tomato allergy tends to run in familieswhich is why it is believed that there may be underlying causes of this disorder genetic causes. Food allergy is also more common in people who suffer from asma e atopic dermatitis (eczema). Environmental factorssuch as poor exposure to foods in the early years of life, could contribute to the development of allergies, but this theory has not yet been established.

Il pomodorofinally, it is a vegetable that naturally contains histamine. For this reason, the ingestion of large quantities of tomato can cause symptoms similar to those of allergies, especially in people who have, due to genetic causes, a limited ability to metabolize this molecule.1-4

The diagnosis ofallergy with tomato happens through:

• clinical interview that analyzes the clinical history and evaluate themedical history patient’s allergy;
• medical examination;
• allergy tests like the prick test and the patch test;
• blood tests with search for IgE specific (antibodies involved in allergic reactions).

A correct diagnosis, which precisely identifies the type of food allergy present, is important to set the diet and the therapy more suitable for the allergic patient.1-4

How much does it cost to have an allergy test? Find out by reading our article “The costs of food allergy testing”.

The more effective treatment for theallergy with tomato consists ofcompletely avoid this vegetable and its derivatives. The tomato is a common ingredient in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, present in many foods and recipes, such as sauces, sauces, soups, stews, snacks, salads, etc. It is therefore important to make sure to avoid it read the labels carefully of food products before consumption. In the kitchen, tomato can be used for the preparation of sauces replaced by other vegetables such as peppers, pumpkin, carrots and beets, or from alternative condiments such as yoghurt, cream or fruit-based sauces.

In case of allergic reactions one is administered drug therapywhich, based on the severity and duration of the symptoms, may include the use of:

• antihistamines;
• corticosteroids;
• adrenaline.

Finally, people who suffer from severe allergic reactions should inform your loved ones of this condition e Always carry an adrenaline auto-injector with you to be used in case of emergency.1-4

Also read our article “Shellfish allergy: complete guide to recognize and manage it”.

1. Cleveland Clinic, Food Allergies;
2. Włodarczyk K, Smolińska B, Majak I. Tomato Allergy: The Characterization of the Selected Allergens and Antioxidants of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)-A Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Mar 28;11(4):644. doi: 10.3390/antiox11040644. PMID: 35453329; PMCID: PMC9031248;
3. Patel BY, Volcheck GW. Food Allergy: Common Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015 Oct;90(10):1411-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.012. PMID: 26434966;
4. Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués MT, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou MDC. Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art. Biomolecules. 2020 Aug 14;10(8):1181. doi: 10.3390/biom10081181. PMID: 32824107; PMCID: PMC7463562.