azurelunatic: Kid in pink lying on orange couch with hen on their foot. (Nine)
Azure Jane Lunatic (Azz) 🌺 ([personal profile] azurelunatic) wrote2003-05-23 08:35 pm

Allergies, sensitivities

Ever since I can remember, I've had this problem with walnuts and bananas. Walnuts and bananas, if the bananas aren't 100% softripeyellow, will take off the inside of my mouth.

I don't know what the exact problem is. I am guessing that it's some chemical in them. Raw broccoli and slightly underripe tomatoes and dark chocolate in large enough amounts will do the same thing. In fact, I took a glance at the list my father had of foods to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder, and glared, since that seemed to be composed of entirely foods that could do that to me...


What happens when I eat something that's not quite right, like too many walnuts, or a greenish banana, is that the upper layer of the inside of my mouth peels off, leaving my mouth somewhat sore and raw. This is irritating and painful, but not life-threatening. Nothing swells up, and there are no digestive aftereffects. Just -- raw mouth. No fun.

My father was skeptical of my claims, since it didn't appear to be an allergy or anything. Since I couldn't claim allergy, and since it was so subtle, I started claiming to just not like walnuts and bananas (those being the foods with the greatest effect that way).

One day my father tried to make bread with ground-up walnuts mixed in. He is very good at the making of assorted breads, and was startled when the bread became a soggy, inelastic lump. It should have been sticking to itself. He decided that perhaps my comments about walnuts taking off the inside of my mouth had more merit than just bratty kid-whining.

[identity profile] tyrantmouth.livejournal.com 2003-05-23 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I get that with shrimp. Not even quite so severe, but a definite itching and irritation in my mouth. Not so bad that I'll avoid them entirely, but I won't eat a whole lot at one sitting.

Re:

[identity profile] tyrantmouth.livejournal.com 2003-05-24 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
Not that I'm aware of. But I don't eat huge amounts of it very often, either...

[identity profile] thrames.livejournal.com 2003-05-23 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
It's better then my crab allergy. I'm pretty certain that if I even have a bite of crab now, I will go into anaphelectic shock. I'd prefer sore mouth any day of the week.

[identity profile] thrames.livejournal.com 2003-05-24 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
CRAB BAD! (http://www.campchaos.com/cartoons/napsterbad/napsterbad_56k.html)

it IS an allergy

[identity profile] icanreadyourmnd.livejournal.com 2003-05-23 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I started out being allergic to orange and yellow fruits and vegies and then switched over to nuts and shellfish in my mid-30s. Still can't eat bananas unless they're spotty with brown; and can only have cooked carrots. I can now eat watermelon but no other kinds of melon.

When I was a kid, I used to have to eat whatever mom gave me. I always whined about not wanting to eat bananas. One day it was worse than any other - my throat was slightly swollen. I complained that the banana was stuck in my throat. She didn't believe me. "That's impossible" But I wanted her to call the doctor. Well, by the time the doctor came (yes, back in the days when they still made house visits), the swelling was down and I got yelled at. Whem I tested severly allergic to bananas in my teens, I made sure to rub both their noses in it.

I almost died from eating half a bag of pistachio nuts in my mid-30s. I woke up in the middle of the night with severe gas and my throat closed. Fortunately I thought fast and drank half a bottle of Benedryl - the right thing to have done.

You don't get anaphalactic shock - yet - but I wouldn't push it if I were you (or I would keep around some benedryl - the liquid works faster than the pills - on soothing the allergic reaction). I also wouldn't mess with it; the more you eat these foods the more allergic you'll be. Maybe you should get tested just to make sure of the food allergies. Cause there's nothing they can give you to prevent food allergies so it's just good to know what you can't have up front to preserve your life...

good!

[identity profile] icanreadyourmnd.livejournal.com 2003-05-24 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
it's just best to know in the long run...

[identity profile] powerhand.livejournal.com 2003-05-23 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
my both siblings had allergies as a child, i guess i'm the lucky one with no allergies at all. i've seen how difficult it can be when mother has to make separate foods for the allergic ones and rest of the family. one discovery that has improved my home cooking is olive oil... lol i just love to put olive oil in every food and i even take it two spoons each day from bottle :)

[identity profile] cissa.livejournal.com 2003-05-24 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
I have a friend for whom walnuts do exactly the same thing...

[identity profile] cissa.livejournal.com 2003-05-24 03:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I think because pecans are about three times as expensive. They're also at least three times as good, of course! -even though I can eat walnuts.

[identity profile] kdorian.livejournal.com 2003-05-25 08:39 am (UTC)(link)
For me it's ripe tomatoes, and eggplant is worse, but basically anything from the nightshade family will get me to some extent. I went from the 'strip my mouth raw' thing to getting sores in my mouth when I ate 'bad food'.

[identity profile] kdorian.livejournal.com 2003-05-25 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

The worst thing is I love good, ripe, garden tomatoes, but I can't eat them. I can only eat flavorless store tomatoes - but why would I want to?

[identity profile] kdorian.livejournal.com 2005-05-06 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
It depends on how bad the problems are. I only have problems with nightshade fruit - tomatoes, eggplant, Capsicum (sweet and hot peppers), and paprika, but can eat potatoes* (never eat green parts of a potato). Tobacco is also a member.

The best list I've found so far is here: look for the section titled "What foods belong to the nightshade family?"