Sweet Potato Allergy Symptoms, Are you Allergic to Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet Potato belongs to the morning glory family. It is an herbaceous, dicotyledonous plant. The tuberous root of this plant is long and tapered. Sweet potato belongs to the genus ipomoea. It is originated from Central or South America. Here, this is called as cometo or kumara.  These sweet potatoes were domesticated about 5000 years ago. Furthermore, before western exploration, sweet potato was grown in Polynesia. This fruit is also popular in the Pacific Ocean. Sweet potato was introduced in 1764 in Korea. It is used in different dishes of Asia and America. However, local name of sweet potato is Shakarkandi. This is an important tropical and subtropical crop throughout the world. The nutritious fruit has much more nutrition in its leaves that are being eaten as a leafy vegetable.Here we are going to discuss Sweet Potato Allergy Symptoms and possible treatment options.

Although it is a highly useful and beneficial fruit, yet it contains many allergens that are causing symptoms. Therefore, it includes many inhibitors like trypsin. If this fruit is eaten in raw form then it will reduce the ability of the body to utilize protein an in the result of it sweet potato allergy symptoms occur. Most of the evidences show that sweet potatoes allergy symptoms may occur in sensitive individuals.

Sweet Potato Allergy Symptoms

Sweet Potato Allergy Symptoms in Adults:

When it comes to adults and special females they always think “Is it possible to be allergic to sweet potatoes?” before eating. Roasted sweet potato is a famous street fruit in East Asia. However, its juice is used to make dye for cloths. Sensitive children as well as adults, both are suffering from sweet potato allergy symptoms. Trace amount of this fruit may develop mild type of allergic symptom in adults.

Furthermore, some of the adults digest sweet potato fruit very easily without having any type of symptoms but on the other hand, this IgE mediated allergic response may trigger some of the serious issues in many adults.  Although sweet potato is said to be safe for the healthy diet yet it may cause mild to severe form of hypersensitive reaction in sensitive people. Another reason for mild sweet potato allergy symptoms in adults is using diet that is rich in oxalates and sweet potatoes are rich in oxalates that cause stiffness of the neck. Many of the allergic reaction dissipate with age but adults are also having allergies. The following sweet potato allergy symptoms occur:

  • Sneezing
  • Swelling of the lips
  • Skin problems
  • Dyspnea
  • Eczema
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Digestive problems

Atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis is a serious issue that occurs after handling of this fruit. Its peel contains certain harmful allergens that will directly affect on the skin of hands.

Another important allergen that has been detected in sweet potatoes is beta amylase. It is responsible for causing many adverse reactions in patients who have sensitive immune system. Therefore, our immune system will release antibodies to counter that allergen; histamines are released by these antibodies that are responsible for inflammation, redness and itching.

 

Sweet Potato Allergy Symptoms in Babies:

People loves and care their babies a lot so first question they raise in their mind is Can my baby be allergic to sweet potatoes? The sweet potato may be used in daily diet and in different dishes, but sweet potato allergy symptoms in babies occur If your baby is experiencing allergy and you notice baby vomiting after sweet potatoes this reaction will occur in a very short interval of time. Moreover, babies like their sweet taste and parents choose this fruit as a first diet but most of them are responsible for causing allergic symptoms in babies. Therefore, babies do not have strong immune system so they are prone to sweet potato allergy symptoms.Sweet Potato Allergy Symptoms in Babies

If you are giving sweet potatoes to your baby then he might have vomit or he may spit it up the food that is ingested. However, most of the food allergies may proceed to gastrointestinal manifestations that affect both young children and infants. It results in diarrhea and poor weight gain. Babies may develop different types of sweet potato allergy symptoms. The symptoms of gastrointestinal hypersensitivity involves acute onset of nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. They may develop some other Sweet potato allergy symptoms like:

  • Red diaper rash around the anus
  • Sand-paper like rash on mouth
  • Runny nose
  • Swelling of eyes

However, due to improper digestion, your baby may also develop diarrhea or constipation. On the other hand sweet potatoes may also cause infantile food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome. This syndrome is very common in Asian community. Families with the food allergic symptoms may rank lower in general health population.

 

Sweet Potato Allergy Symptoms Intolerance:

Sweet potato intolerance is also similar as that of allergies. But it is not as serious as allergic symptoms. However, sweet potato intolerance symptoms results after improper digestion of food, or eating fruit without washing it properly. Furthermore, fructose compound present in sweet potatoes in large amounts. If the person is having fructose malabsorption than he might experience symptoms of allergy. This fructose malabsorption may cause gut infections.

Moreover, sweet potatoes intolerance causes the patients having mild to moderate allergic reaction but most of the people may experience anaphylaxis. This is a serious issue that will lead to death if left untreated.

Sweet Potato Allergy Treatment:

Sweet potatoes are good for health, due to their nutritional value. But if they cause allergies then there are several ways to treat those allergic reactions. Sweet potato allergy treatment is an important task. However, prevention or avoidance of the fruit in your diet is the first step that is helpful to decrease the level of allergies. Sweet potato allergy treatment includes following points:Sweet Potato Allergy Treatment

  • If your baby is experiencing certain type of symptoms, you should have to consult with the pediatrician.
  • Several medicated creams and lotions are available in the market that will reduce the inflammation and redness of the skin.
  • Moreover, antihistamines are used to stop the release of histamine from antibodies.
  • If anaphylactic shock occurs or if the patient is having low blood pressure or lightheartedness then immediately call the doctor.

Sweet Potato Allergy FAQs

  1. Is it possible to be allergic to sweet potatoes?

Yes, it is possible to be allergic to sweet potatoes. However, potato allergy may both effect children and adults. Moreover, it is considered as one of the live-taking allergy. If you are the one who is allergic to sweet potatoes will witness the proteins, alkaloids, and other substances in immune system as powerfully dangerous attacker. Since the immune system will struggle against it, which can result in producing overabundance of histamine and antibodies. This can lead to deadly and uncomfortable reactions.

 

  1. What causes sweet potato allergy?

In our body, there are white blood cells and other elements such as lgE antibody that are present in the body to protect it. Nevertheless, those white blood cells and other substances release histamine. Due to this response from the immune system which causes allergy from the potatoes.

 

  1. Can sweet potatoes cause bloating and gas?

Most starches  such as potatoes, corns, and noodles, they break down in the large intestine which causes blotting and gas. While rice is the only starch, that does not produce gas in your stomach.

 

 

  1. What are the symptoms of Sweet potato intolerance?

    Following are the symptoms of sweet potato intolerance:

  • Running nose
  • Sneezing
  • Itching in hole skin and body
  • Swelling of the mouth, tongue and neck
  • Difficulty in taking breath

2 Comments

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  1. Even a small amount of sweet potato makes me extremely sick for several hours. Is there any reason why?

    1. Hi Mandy,

      Are you eating only sweet potato or mixing with something when it cause sickness every time?

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