Potato Allergies

A Potato.

The potato, or Solanum tuberosum, is part of the solanaceae family, which includes such foods as tomatoes, eggplants, cherries, melons and pears. Potato allergies are relatively rare; however, people who have potato allergies can suffer from a number of symptoms.

Significance

Potatoes are a staple in many American diets. People eat them baked, mashed and fried. Consequently, potato allergies potentially affect numerous people, especially those with a predisposition toward allergies and those with immunological problems.

Identification

Potatoes are vegetables and contain alkaloids, proteins and glycoproteins. One of these proteins, called Sol t or patatin, may cause dermatitis or eczema. These allergic skin reactions cause burning and itching.

Effects

A person can have a more serious allergic reaction to potatoes, including severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, a swelling of the throat and asthma.

Considerations

Those with potato allergies should consider cooking their potatoes. According to Health24.com, many potato allergens will loose their effectiveness when exposed to heat.

Prevention/Solution

The best way to prevent potato allergy symptoms is to reduce exposure or to avoid them completely. Those with severe potato allergies should consider seeing a doctor specializing in allergies, asthma and immunology.

References

• Health24: Allergic to potatoes?
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Resources

• Infomall: General Information
• Medicinenet: Eczema