Beetroot Allergy - 6 Things You Need To Know About This Rare Allergy

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Who would have thought this super healthy, tasty, purple vegetable could cause an allergic reaction? Ever heard of beetroot allergy? Yeah, me neither! who has? absolutely no one, but it’s happening, even right now.

1. What is beetroot allergy

Beetroot allergy is an allergic reaction that manifests after coming in contact with or ingesting beet plants or products made from it.

Beetroot allergy, also called beet allergy is real, even as unreal as that sounds, but this vegetable allergy has sent a lot of people to the ER than you’d think. Beet allergies are very rare, but then again, the human body is a complex organism, full of surprises and in a constant mutation that one may suddenly become sensitive to an allergen that didn’t pose any dangers in the past.

According to Food Allergy Research and Education, 32million Americans are living with a potentially life-threatening allergy to some food, and food allergy symptoms are sending people to ER’s every 3 minutes! 

Well if the above statistics don’t scare you, then I have no idea what would, maybe, a super-sized meteor approaching earth?

2. Uses of beetroots

If you didn’t know what beets are or of what uses they are, then prepare to get your mind blown because beetroots are used in many ways. These sweet, nutritious, reddish-purple bulb has served mankind in many different ways, not just in the kitchen but also in medicine, as a beet plant is considered a medicinal plant.

Beets are used to making of:

• beet juice
• beet sugar
• beet soup
• pickled beet 
• food coloring
• medicinal uses
• beet powder
• many assorted kinds of food

I’m originally from a small eastern European country, called Latvia, and I must admit that back there, beetroots are huge! Like we have a lot of beet recipes that make tasty cuisines in my country. One of my favorites being pickled beets!

Apart from pickled beets, my mom’s beet beef soup hits home, that and our national soup, the beetroot cold soup is a soup worth mentioning. I’ll probably make a recipe section later when I get the chance.

Ever heard of kvass?, I mean, I love kvass, but beetroot kvass takes its deliciousness to another level(I found a simple but GOOD beetroot kvass recipe here on Wellness Mama definitely worth a taste)

Beetroot powder is also quite popular among gym-lovers and athletes for its circulation-boosting ability.

3. Causes of beetroot allergy

The number one cause of beetroot allergy is the consumption of beet plants – that includes, (cook and uncooked) beetroot bulbs, leaves, and beet sugar.

There has been a reported case of an allergic reaction that was triggered by inhalation of steam/vapor from cooked beet.

4. Beetroot Allergy symptoms

If beetroot allergy was ruled out of the equation, It’s no doubt that one could clearly see the importance and benefits of beetroot in today’s world. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy.

Currently, only a tiny fraction of the world’s population is allergic to beets, though some people might show some “level of intolerance” after consuming it sometimes, that doesn’t mean they are having an allergic reaction to beets. 

Beet allergy symptoms can vary, depending on the sensitivity of the sufferer.  As with all food allergies, its symptoms may become present within a few minutes, even up to several hours of coming into contact with an allergen. 

Beetroot allergy unlike some metal allergy, are generalized. A typical allergic reaction to beetroot includes

• hives
• itchiness
• tight throat
• bronchospasm

Other symptoms which are common to most food allergy may also present itself, and these may include:

• runny nose
• wheezing
• swollen eye
• watery eyes
• swollen lips

It’s important, even life-saving to notice and interpret these reactions and act quickly, because allergic reactions, though may start mildly, may quickly proceed to a more severe and life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis, in a matter of minutes.

5. Are there any treatments for beet allergy?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a proven or is 100% effective method of beet allergy treatment, or other food allergies either. The only cure for is abstinence, that is avoiding its triggers and staying clear of any product that might consist, even in trace amount, the allergen.

Avoid beets and all of its related items and products, but if in the unlikelihood you or your loved ones come in contact with it, and it, unfortunately, leads to an allergic reaction, you HAVE to go to the ER immediately, especially if you don’t have a doctor’s prescription of an allergy steroid.

At the doctor’s office, there you’ll be properly diagnosed and prescribed with any of the allergy-combating steroids like Epinephrine, Zantac, Zyrtec, etc.

It is also recommended to book a doctor’s appointment as soon as you have used an Epinephrine, as a rebound reaction may follow after your steroid wears off, and a rebound reaction might happen faster than you think and even more, maybe worse than the previous reaction.

6. How To Avoid Beetroot Allergy Triggers

When shopping, read the labels and understand what every ingredient is and what it is made of.

When dining out, make sure the waiter knows of your allergy condition, further ask what’s in the food which you’re about to order.

Stay away from your allergy triggers, avoid physical contact with it, as it may accidentally cross-contaminate your food, or get in contact with your mouth, eyes, or nose.

Wash your hands immediately after you have come in physical contact with a trigger allergen.

In conclusion,  allergies are more common than we know, and more people are becoming allergic to rare and “unheard” allergens. However, remember that an allergic reaction can be very unpredictable, they might initially appear as a mild reaction but can return in and become severe the next time.

What are your comments about “beetroot allergy?” 

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