Potato allergy is uncommon, but it can cause mild to severe reactions in some people.
People with allergies to pollen,latex, or certain plants like tomatoes andeggplantsmay also react to potatoes.
This happens because their immune system confuses similar proteins in these substances and mistakenly treats them as harmful.
Daniel Llaó Calvet / EyeEm / Getty Images
Daniel LlaA3 Calvet / EyeEm / Getty Images
What Is a Potato Allergy?
A potato allergy happens when theimmune systemmistakenly reacts to proteins in potatoes, especially the protein patatin.
Some people react only to raw potatoes, while others have symptoms after eating cooked potatoes or touchingpotato starch.
Repeated exposure to potato proteinsthrough food or skin contactmay worsen the allergy over time.
For example, some may only havemild skin irritationfor years and then later develop more severe allergic reactions.
Signs to watch for include:
Most food allergy symptoms appear within two hours of eating the allergen.
In many cases, they begin within minutes and can progress rapidly.
Though rare, severe allergy to potato can triggeranaphylaxis.
It cannot be treated withover-the-counter antihistaminesor other at-home remedies.
If you or someone else shows signs of anaphylaxis, call 911 right away.
For example, people with peanut allergies sometimes react to tree nuts like almonds or cashews.
The allergist can performallergy teststo confirm whether potatoes are causing your reaction.
Treatment
The only way to prevent an allergic reaction to potatoes is to completely avoid eating them.
However, if a reaction does happen, the right treatment depends on how severe the reaction is.
After using it, call 911 right away, as symptoms can return.
Foods and food products containing potatoes to avoid include:
Many processed foods also contain hidden potato ingredients.
Many of these can be mashed, fried, or roasted just like potatoeswithout triggering an allergic reaction.
An allergist can diagnose a potato allergy using a skin prick or blood test.
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