An allergic reaction typically occurs once an individual consumes the pulp or skin of fresh or dried figs, fresh fig fruit or commercial extracts. Remember that it is also possible to trigger a reaction if the individual inhales pollen from fig trees or fig as well as directly handling the fruit. It is important to note that some individuals are highly sensitive to the latex from unripe figs and any part of the tree.
What is fig?
The fig tree is indigenous to western Asia where it has been cultivated for centuries and even traced back to Neolithic sites as early as 5,000 B.C. There are over than 700 varieties of fig trees that are grown for their fruit, for their rubber or as ornamental plants.
The pear-shaped fig is actually a swollen flower stalk. Figs can be eaten raw or fresh, unpeeled or peeled. Today, they are commercially dried and canned for use in baked products and jams as well as in puddings, pies, bread and cake.
What are the causes of allergic reactions?
Exposure of the skin with figs or fig plants can trigger an allergic reaction among highly sensitive individuals. The root sap and leaf of the fig tree are responsible for triggering more allergic reactions than the unripe fruit or other parts of the tree. This is due to the presence of bergapten and psoralen which are capable of producing phototoxic dermatitis.
Handling of the latex from unripe fruits utilized in producing meat tenderizers as well as clarifies beverages and renders fat can also trigger allergies. Those who work in the fig industry particularly harvesters, packers and workers face a higher risk for this form of sensitivity. Even though most of the allergens in fig extracts are lost due to heating, some are allergic to all forms of figs. Once fig is eaten, the skin might be responsible for triggering allergies than the pulp.
Cross allergies
Individuals who are allergic to figs are likely to be hypersensitive to all members of the Moraceae family which includes breadfruit, banyan, Osage-orange and mulberry. It is important to note that fig shares some common antigens with birch pollen, grass and weeping fig. Some cases of fig allergy are attributed to this cross-sensitivity.
Among those who are allergic to birch pollen, many are allergic to fresh fig while a small percentage was only sensitive to dried fig. Some also reacted to jackfruit, mulberry, Rosaceae fruits and hazelnut. As for fresh figs, they are not well tolerated as dried figs.
What are the symptoms?
Ingestion of figs can trigger allergic symptoms that can include the following:
- Sore throat
- Sneezing episodes
- Coughing
- Abdominal pain
- Colic
- Stuffed nose
Individuals who have a low tolerance to salicylates present in the latex from figs can also end up with asthma-like symptoms, itchiness, headaches, nasal congestion, skin rashes or hives, abdominal pain and swelling of the hands, face or feet. In severe cases, anaphylaxis which is a severe allergic reaction can develop which involves an abrupt drop in the blood pressure, loss of consciousness and even death.