It seems at this point in time, you can be allergic to anything and everything. But if you ask me, one of the worst things to be allergic to is avocados. Although an allergy specific to this #basic af fruit is rare, many people who suffer from a latex allergy can also experience an allergic reaction to avocados.
An allergy to avocados is considered an oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Those with OAS are allergic to plant pollens, and the body's immune system can mistake the fruit's proteins for plant pollens, as they're often similar. Dr. Carah Santos, an allergist at National Jewish Health in Denver told NPR that's called a "cross-reactivity."
"Your immune system sees something as looking very similar to something it already reacts to," she said.
On the other hand, if you are already diagnosed with a latex allergy, it's important to learn more about possible cross-reactivity. Similar to OAS, individuals that suffer from latex-allergies are likely to be allergic to avocados.
If you're allergic to latex or plant pollen, you're probably allergic to multiple types of fruits and veggies — reactions can also arise with other produce such as bananas, kiwis, chestnuts, carrots, melons and more.
Oral symptoms include itching and inflammation (or a tingling feeling in the mouth). The symptoms induced by a latex allergy vary slightly. They include itching, skin redness, hives, and the more severe symptoms include wheezing, trouble breathing, watery eyes, scratchy throat, coughing, runny nose and sneezing, or even going into anaphylactic shock.
Although avocados are delicious and found in many recipes, there are substitutes. Avocados are often added to vegan or vegetarian recipes as a substitute for butter, as they have a similar creamy consistency. If you're not vegan, you can always go back to butter or margarine.
Don't feel like you have to miss out on chips and guac, either. Instead, you can make an asparagus guacamole. Although the texture of asparagus varies from an avocado, with the right spices, you can make it taste similar to classic guacamole.
Most obviously, the best way to avoid symptoms is to avoid avocados all-together. But if you find yourself with a reaction, you can take an oral antihistamine (like Claritin) to relieve mild symptoms. You can also try cooking or baking an avocado to break up proteins and eliminate the cross-reactions, but of course, always make sure to talk to your doctor.
Food allergies can be difficult to handle and hard to avoid. It can be especially difficult to avoid a popular food like avocado as lately, they're hidden in everything from salads to brownies. But those who are allergic shouldn't fret — at least they'll be able to save the money they might have spent on an avocado toast addiction to buy a house someday.