Carrots are a healthy vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals. Its use helps to lower blood cholesterol, improve skin condition, maintain normal vision. But some people are allergic to carrots. This phenomenon occurs in children and adults. Moreover, the reaction manifests itself from the vegetable in any form - in raw and after heat treatment. The causes and treatment of this phenomenon are described in the article.
Vegetable benefits
Carrots are very useful for vision and skin due to the content in the composition of a large number of nutrients, such as vitamins A, B, C, E, PP, K.
The vegetable is often used in folk medicine, as it fights with various gastrointestinal problems and nervous disorders. It also helps with colds, heart and vascular diseases, and helps normalize metabolism.
Causes of the appearance of pathology
An allergy to carrots appears in cases where the patient’s history has already revealed signs of such a reaction to pollen from ragweed, birch, wheatgrass, celery. Protein compounds of vegetables have a similar structure to the pollen of these plants. The immune system of allergy sufferers is not able to distinguish between allergens. Therefore, it perceives these proteins as foreign.
Raw carrots cause allergies in people with liver disease. The root crop in this case may be a factor in the development of fatty hepatosis. With heat treatment, a part of the protein is destroyed, therefore, in this form it is less allergenic. And in carrot juice, the concentration of hazardous substances is even higher than in raw vegetables. Consequently, the risk of allergies to carrots increases.
Often the reason is fertilizers, which are added in large quantities to the soil during the cultivation of root crops. It may also be associated with herbicides and other chemicals. Root crops that are brought from other countries are usually processed with products that retain their presentation during transportation.
There may be an allergy to carrots due to a number of other factors. Among them:
- heredity;
- enzyme deficiency;
- increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa;
- weak immunity;
- intestinal dysbiosis;
- chronic infection.
Could there be an allergy to carrots in adults? This phenomenon occurs at any age. As in children, the reaction requires timely treatment. However, after getting rid of allergies, it is necessary to adhere to preventive measures.
Varieties
Given the causes of allergies, it can be divided into several groups:
- Individual intolerance. This applies to the reaction of the body to the vegetable itself, which is used in its pure form.
- Allergy to supplements. It usually appears on canned foods that are sold in stores. During manufacture, various preservatives and dyes are added, leading to the corresponding reaction of the body.
- Cross reaction. At risk are people who suffer from hay fever. Often a symptom appears after eating a raw vegetable. But after the heat treatment, the reaction disappears.
When the first signs appear, caution is required and cessation of the use of the product until the causes are identified. This is especially true for children. Their reaction leads to severe symptoms.
Signs
Symptoms of an allergy to carrots occur after drinking juice, root vegetables and dishes from it. But there are situations when symptoms arise even from inhaling the smell of a vegetable during heat treatment. This reaction manifests itself in the form of intestinal disorders:
- pain and cramping in the abdomen;
- nausea and vomiting;
- upset stool.
As the photo indicates, an allergy to carrots is also manifested in the form of respiratory and skin reactions:
- hyperemia;
- allergic rhinitis;
- rashes;
- itching and burning;
- eczema;
- edema;
- dyspnea;
- bronchospasm;
- allergic conjunctivitis;
- anaphylactic shock.
Child intolerance
Does carrots cause allergies in children? The body of the child is considered more susceptible to various substances with which it is in contact. Often there is an allergy to carrots in infants. Care must be taken.
Although this root vegetable is a valuable product, it is necessary to introduce it into the diet carefully because of the risk of an allergy to carrots in a child. Special care should be taken with juice, since the concentration of allergens in it is greater.
Symptoms of carrot allergy in children are the same as in adults. But they appear more pronounced and sharply. The following phenomena occur:
- diathesis;
- redness of the skin;
- swelling of the tissues;
- intestinal disorders.
Often, children who have allergies are naughty, refuse to eat, sleep poorly. If a child ate a vegetable in large quantities, then this can cause carotene jaundice when the skin becomes a yellowish-orange tone. This condition is not life threatening, but it is considered a sign that the amount of carrots consumed should be limited, and it is better to exclude it from the diet altogether.
Diagnostics
Confirm the presence of allergies to carrots in adults and children allow various activities. Diagnosis is performed by an allergist. The doctor first conducts an examination and collects an anamnesis. Then appoints additional analyzes:
- a blood test to determine the f31 protein in it;
- skin allergy tests;
- elimination test.
Treatment rules
The therapeutic plan is strictly selected by the doctor, taking into account the age and characteristics of the body. If an allergy to carrots has been confirmed by a diagnostic method, the root crop is completely excluded from the diet. It is important to consider that with this disease, a cross allergy to the pollen of some plants appears. Therefore, when flowering birch, ragweed, wheatgrass and other structurally similar plant proteins, it is recommended to be away from them.
Medication
To improve the condition, medications are prescribed. Stopping the release of histamine and relieving symptoms of inflammation is due to drugs from the corresponding pharmacological group:
- "Singular".
- Telfast.
- "Tsetrin."
- "Erius."
In the presence of skin manifestations of allergies, ointments and creams are used:
- "Gistan."
- "Solcoseryl."
- Fenistil.
- Desitin.
For respiratory manifestations (nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis), drops or sprays for topical use are used:
- "Allergodil."
- Zirtek.
- Levocabastine.
- Avamis.
- "Nazonex".
If signs such as hyperemia, swelling and tearing of the eyes appear, then eye drops are used:
- Cromohexal.
- "Zadit".
- "Opatanol."
Desensitization
This is the only way to treat allergies. It involves the introduction of a small amount of allergen into the body. At first, the smallest dose is used, but gradually it increases. This therapy is quite long in time, but is effective.
Desensitization is based on the fact that the body is forced to get used to the allergen, as a result of which it loses sensitivity. As a result, a person will become immune to it.
The disadvantage of this immunotherapy is the need for secondary treatment after some time. It is usually held every year. As a result, it will be possible to consume foods with a food allergen, but there will not be a negative reaction.
The need to use this method is determined by the doctor based on the diagnosis and condition of the patient.
First aid
In acute allergies to carrots, which leads to Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock, urgent medical attention is required. Usually a person knows about a complex form of allergy, therefore, carries with him quick-acting drugs in the form of an injection. The active component of these injections is adrenaline.
With symptoms of a complex allergy, a person is laid on a horizontal surface. He needs to unfasten his clothes to protect against tightness of breath and increase access to fresh air. Urgently call an ambulance.
Folk remedies
Alternative methods of treatment are used only as an addition to the main therapy. They contribute to a noticeable relief of the human condition and accelerate recovery. The following recipes are considered effective:
- It is necessary to prepare a mixture based on nettle, wormwood, strawberry leaves (4: 2: 3). It will take 1 tablespoon of raw material, which is poured with boiling water (1 cup) at night. In the morning, the product is filtered and drunk during the day for 3 doses.
- If there are strong rashes on the skin, then an infusion of deaf nettles is used (1 tablespoon of the raw material is poured into a glass of water). Drink 3 times a day before meals.
- If you are not allergic to beekeeping products, you must chew honeycombs for 15-20 minutes 3 times a day.
Prevention
If an allergy to carrots is detected, then the best means of prevention is to limit the use of root crops. Avoid not only reception, but also stay in the room where it is prepared. Even after heat treatment, the vegetable can cause allergies. Therefore, it is important to study the composition of dishes, especially in cafes and restaurants. Carrot juice is also prohibited.
People who are not allergic to this vegetable should also follow the recommendations to eliminate the risk of its occurrence:
- Do not eat root vegetables and juice in large quantities.
- It is important to timely diagnose and treat infections.
- It is necessary to take medicines only as prescribed by the doctor.
- It is useful to strengthen immunity by hardening, vitamin therapy, and sports.
Carrot allergies are common, especially in children. Like other allergens, it leads to various unpleasant symptoms. For a successful fight against an ailment, an exact determination of its cause and the exclusion of contact with an irritant are required. A competent specialist will help to adjust the nutrition and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Danger
Allergy is considered a serious disease, therefore, at its first manifestations, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose and prescribe effective treatment. Otherwise, the regular manifestation of allergies can greatly weaken the immune system.
In the future, serious pathologies, for example, bronchial asthma, are allowed. Pathologies may also appear when an allergy will occur not only with the use of a product, but will become permanent.
Diet
During treatment, an exception to the diet is required:
- bread and white flour muffins;
- sausages;
- smoked meat and fish;
- sweets and confectionery;
- sweet carbonated drinks;
- salted and pickled products;
- fruit.
The menu should include:
- Soups of green vegetables - broccoli, green beans, green peas.
- Durum wheat porridge and pasta.
- Boiled and baked beef or chicken.
- Cottage cheese and sour-milk drinks.
- Stewed fruit and tea without sugar.
Experts advise to adhere to this diet for lactating women if the baby has allergy symptoms.
In dogs
There is an allergy to carrots in dogs. This can manifest itself in the form of:
- sneezing
- lacrimation
- coughing
- respiratory failure;
- diarrhea / vomiting;
- Dizziness
- otitis externa.
Allergies in dogs manifest as an itchy rash on the body or on the ears, face, stomach. In difficult cases, ulcers, eczema appear. Sometimes paws, face, tongue, and larynx swell in pets.
For feeding, medicinal food for dogs with allergies is suitable, but you need to choose it carefully. It is advisable to perform a sensitivity analysis. Dog treatment is not limited to diet. The doctor prescribes symptomatic drugs that reduce the level of histamine, eliminate itching, swelling, inflammation. A course of immunomodulators is likely to be required.
Carrots, although a very useful product, but can lead to allergies in humans and animals. Therefore, it is important to respond to this phenomenon in a timely manner, so that you can quickly eliminate the symptoms and treat the disease.