7 Rare Food Allergies
More than 170 different foods cause allergic reactions to people in the United States.
A food allergy is a condition of having an unpleasant health effect from a specific response by your immune system that happens when you eat a particular food. An allergic reaction (anaphylaxis for those medically inclined) is that unpleasant health effect.
Roughly 32 million Americans have a food allergy, and 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children live with one, according to the organization FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education).
Although more than 170 foods have caused allergic reactions among Americans, there are nine major food allergens, and all of them are usual suspects that you may be putting into your grocery cart.
Below are some of the rarest and most uncommon food allergies.
Uncommon Food Allergies
1) Oral Allergy Syndrome:
Having an allergic reaction to raw fruits and vegetables because the body thinks that the food is pollen. Individuals who have particular allergies to pollen have this condition.
Examples include:
Apples
Kiwi
Apricots
Cherries
Peaches
Plums
Pears
Avocados
Celery
Carrots
Melons
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Bananas
2) Mammalian Meat Allergy:
Having an allergic reaction to all mammalian meat. If a Lone Star tick bites you, it will give you an antibody to a carbohydrate (galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose) found in all mammals, making you allergic.
Examples include:
Beef
Pork
Lamb
Venison
Whale
3) Chamomile Allergy:
Having an allergic reaction to ragweed-based food and goods such as chamomile tea and chamomile lotions.
4) Gelatin Allergy:
Having an allergic reaction to gelatin due to the protein produced when connective tissue from animals is boiled.
Examples include:
Frosted Cereals
Some Vaccinations like the Flu Shot
Cream Cheese
Yogurt
Margarine
Marshmallows
Candy Corn
Fruit Snacks (Welches)
Jelly Candy (Sour Patch Kids)
JELL-O
5) Wine Allergy:
Having an allergic reaction to sulfating agents used in processing certain foods, beverages, and drugs, most commonly wine so be careful of foods that use wine! Here are some foods that may use wine as an ingredient: sauces, gravies, soups, wine vinegar, processed meats, dried/frozen/canned fruits, and vegetables.
6) Hot Dogs and Deli Meats Allergy:
Having an allergic reaction to the additives of highly processed foods such as hot dogs and deli meats.
7) Water Allergy:
Having an allergic reaction to water. Those with a condition called aquagenic urticaria have this allergy, causing them to itch and have hives.
Follow us on TikTok @wingspanhealth where we post snack-able healthcare content for you!
A Full Picture of Your Health
Food allergies are just one piece of your health.
Get all of your medical records in one place to see a bird’s eye view of your health by linking your patient portals on Wingspan.
Ready to take flight?