Avocado allergy can quite easily be determined

It is a fact that most people who suffer from avocado allergy are known to be prone to allergies like Type 1 or contact allergy.

Why this allergy?

Avocado contains certain proteins and these are responsible for triggering an immune system reaction. In order to try to neutralize the protein, antibodies and histamines are released into the blood stream. But, these chemicals also trigger many allergic symptoms. And thus when the case is severe, Epinephrine, also call Adrenaline, has to be given to control the anaphylaxis reaction.

How do you know of the reaction?

If you get a reaction after being exposed to avocado, the reactions normally start within the next couple of minutes or the next few hours. Skin redness, hives, or itching are the mild symptoms that are associated. But, even the respiratory system is involved when the case is more severe. In such cases, wheezing, coughing or difficulty in breathing is experienced. If there are breathing problems or if any of the other symptoms are more pronounced, then one has to get immediate emergency treatment.

Even sensitivity could develop

Over a period of time, sensitivity could develop and may not appear when you are exposed to the irritant for the first several times. A typical example of this is the increase in the number of healthcare workers that are becoming allergic to latex after regular and prolonged exposure to latex examination gloves. But, rescue is there in the form of diagnosis of avocado allergies.

This is almost always performed by the use of a skin prick test, done in a laboratory. A person could also do a self-diagnosis of avocado allergies, if he or she has the same reaction every time after eating avocado.

The Food Challenge test to determine avocado allergy

To determine if a person is allergic to avocado, there is another test which is carried out and this is known as - The Food Challenge. In this “Test”, you have to avoid all avocados for several weeks.

You will then be made to eat avocados under the close supervision of the doctor. If the symptoms appear after eating the avocado, this would then confirm that you are definitely allergic to avocado and you will have to stop eating avocado in the future. In the event that you do suffer from avocado allergy, you must find a good health care professional, to take care of the issue.