Ok. Maybe I am just not seeing it, but why do most people think it weird that I am allergic to oranges? I go to the doctor to for a visit and they ask what I am allergic to, I say oranges, the MA's or nurses look at me like I am nuts or like they have never heard of that before.
People have allergies to weird things but whats so weird about oranges.
Also, can anyone answer this for me because I keep getting 2 different answers:
1 pediatrician has told me that my allergy to oranges will be passed to my son, the next pediatrician says that there is no chance.
Who should I believe?
I am believing my motherly instinct and not letting him have oranges until he can tell me that he does not feel well after eating an orange. If I ingest any type of orange, I break out in severe hives, get an excruciating migraine, vomit, pass out, the works. So of course I am going to be protective of my son. Sorry, I had to vent about that, I am just frustrated because nobody seems to believe me about the allergy to oranges.
Actually, I was doing some reading on food allergies a few days ago. From what I've read (sorry, I don't have a source here with me at the moment), orange/citrus allergies are quite common. So, I don't think that it's at all weird. If I come up with the source, I'll will share it with you. In fact, now that you mention it, it's driving me a little nuts so hopefully I'll find it this evening and give you the source.
It might have been Prevention magazine, but I could be wrong.
I'm allergic to oranges and pineapple, I know how you feel about the weirdness. Though I don't have such severe symptoms, I get hives and my lips swell up ridiculously big after a small amount of oranges and pineapples. It really sucks because they're both really yummy fruits!!!!
It is an odd and uncommon allergy. Why not accept that and let other people react as they may without worrying about it? Enjoy being unique!
Probably a good idea to not give your kid oranges just yet.
I think that sounds like grrrreeeeeaat advice.
And as for passing it on to your son, here is something to think about. My wife is allergic to cashews, she gets VERY sick to her stomach and aches all over for several hours if she gets even a SMALL piece of one. Her son is anaphylactic (we've had it happen 2x) to cashews, pistachios and a couple of other closely related TREE nuts, neither has a problem with peanuts (which are not nuts actually), almonds, or walnuts. Even though it is anecdotal, it certainly seems wrong to say the allergy CANT be passed on.
My daughter in law has an anaphylactic reaction to tomatoes. You would be amazed at how many mixes and prepared foods have a tiny bit of tomato hidden deep in the ingredient list.
And as for passing it on to your son, here is something to think about. My wife is allergic to cashews, she gets VERY sick to her stomach and aches all over for several hours if she gets even a SMALL piece of one. Her son is anaphylactic (we've had it happen 2x) to cashews, pistachios and a couple of other closely related TREE nuts, neither has a problem with peanuts (which are not nuts actually), almonds, or walnuts. Even though it is anecdotal, it certainly seems wrong to say the allergy CANT be passed on.
I just got back from taking my daughter in for skin testing (she didn't react to peanuts - YAY!!!). The MD and I talked about heritability of allergies at length because for whatever reason people always say they are not inherited, but there is a strong, strong trend for it to run in families. He said there is no proof that they are genetic, but that there is a strong correlation in that families that are allergic are often all allergic to the same things. They don't know if this is genetic or environmental, but the trend is definitely there.
For anyone considering skin testing, let me just tell you, it's come a long way. It was a very easy process and I'm so relieved to have done it.
Maybe continue watching for any symptoms even after the allergy testing. I wasn't allergic to anything during my very early years, but somewhere during elementary school developed allergies to citrus fruits, avocado and walnuts- my lips swell up and I get hives. Only had one serious reaction - to a tomato accidentally not left out of a hamburger when I was 18 or so, but I had plenty of time to get to urgi-care. I do carry an epi-pen after that, just in case. Anyway, these are the exact same food allergies that my mother has, except for the walnuts.
Maybe continue watching for any symptoms even after the allergy testing. I wasn't allergic to anything during my very early years, but somewhere during elementary school developed allergies to citrus fruits, avocado and walnuts- my lips swell up and I get hives. Only had one serious reaction - to a tomato accidentally not left out of a hamburger when I was 18 or so, but I had plenty of time to get to urgi-care. I do carry an epi-pen after that, just in case. Anyway, these are the exact same food allergies that my mother has, except for the walnuts.
Thank you for that heads up. I will continue to watch her closely, but I do feel a little better now sending her off to preschool. I'm not going to be serving any PB sandwiches, but at least I don't have to panic if she's around someone else with one.
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My sister is allergic to oranges and tomatoes. When white pizza became such a hot item on restaurant menus, we had to laugh, because my Mom had been making it for us since we were little! My sister never mentioned funny looks at the doctor's office; if I remember, I'll have to ask her about that.
I never thought of food allergies as being weird because of personal experience. As a child up until approximately age 19, I was allergic to oranges and orange juice-which I loved. (no other citrus fruits) I broke out in a terrible rash on lips and behind my ears and neck and antecubital space. I was also allergic to cow's milk as an infant (so I'm told)
I had a schoolmate who was allergic to tomatoes, which she loved and ate whole and raw. She broke out in a dark spotted rash on arms and legs.
BabyRN2Be
1,987 Posts
Actually, I was doing some reading on food allergies a few days ago. From what I've read (sorry, I don't have a source here with me at the moment), orange/citrus allergies are quite common. So, I don't think that it's at all weird. If I come up with the source, I'll will share it with you. In fact, now that you mention it, it's driving me a little nuts so hopefully I'll find it this evening and give you the source.
It might have been Prevention magazine, but I could be wrong.