Intolerances and allergies plague many people. It is good to know a few tricks to reduce allergens within the sanctity of your own home.
Discover our latest podcast
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about gluten intolerance, which is supposedly affecting more and more people. But not everyone should eat gluten-free indiscriminately. On the other hand, we don't hear much about a potato allergy. What is it all about?
An allergy triggered by raw potatoes
In fact, cases of potato allergy are quite rare or rarely noticed. This is because this allergy is triggered exclusively by raw potatoes. Boiled, fried or deep-fried potatoes hardly cause any allergic reactions.
One of the triggers of a potato allergy is the essential oils contained in potatoes. These evaporate and get into ambient air when heated above 100 degrees Celsius, along with other substances that may be responsible for the allergy.
People who suffer from a potato allergy, or people who are most likely to develop one, are often already affected by other allergies, such as hazelnuts, tomatoes, citrus fruits, birch pollen, etc.
Which foods contain raw potatoes?
Apart from dishes in which potatoes are obviously eaten raw, there are also dishes in which one would not necessarily expect to find raw potatoes. Special attention must be paid to dishes that may still contain such an ingredient.
This is especially the case with ready-made meals or other store-bought preparations containing potato pieces, as you never know whether all them have been sufficiently heated to be rid of allergens. Rösti and mashed potatoes are a classic examples of this.
However, allergy sufferers must also be careful when preparing potato dishes, as they come into direct contact with the raw tubers, and touching them can cause irritation.
By the way, with potatoes you also have to keep an eye on the green parts and the sprouts of potatoes so that the nightshade chemicals do not become poisonous.
What are the symptoms associated with a potato allergy?
Basically, as with other allergies, up to 45 minutes can pass between contact and reaction. In the case of stronger allergic reactions, it may then be necessary to take anti-allergic medication. In the case of a potato allergy, the following symptoms often occur:
- Itching and skin irritation, which can progress into full-on eczema
- Burning and swelling of the throat and pharynx, difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal cramps during digestion, diarrhoea, flatulence, vomiting
Besides these reactions, headaches, irritated eyes, sneezing or a runny nose may also occur. If these symptoms occur, then you can consider yourself as allergic to potatoes.
Seek the opinion of a specialist
If after all that, you suspect that you might be suffering from a potato allergy, it is best to consult a specialist in order to rule out any mistakes.
Other allergies or intolerances can also be accompanied by similar symptoms. After all, there is also an alcohol allergy.
