This IgE antibody allergy test uses a blood sample to determine if you are allergic to Apples. 

Who Does an Apple Allergy Affect?

Anyone can have an apple allergy. Apples have various potentially allergenic proteins, but an apple allergy typically comes in two main types. 

Some people have an allergy to a protein in the apple which is closely related to a protein also found in peaches. 

On the other hand, some apple allergies can be related to oral allergy syndrome (pollen fruit syndrome). In this case, the problem may be a birch pollen allergy. Certain fruits like apples, peaches, pears, and cherries share similar proteins with the ones found in pollen. When your immune system has antibodies specific to a particular pollen, they may cross-react with the apple and trigger an allergic reaction. 

Common Foods with Apple 

Apples are a common fruit often eaten fresh, as well as in processed foods and drinks.

Foods containing apples include:

• Jam
• Jelly
• Applesauce
• Juice
• Cider
• Pies
• Cakes
• Pastries 

Depending on the nature of your apple allergy, apples and/or certain foods containing apple should be avoided. People allergic to certain proteins in apples may have reactions to raw apples, as well as processed foods like juices, purees, and nectars because their allergen is very stable. In contrast, people with a birch-related apple allergy may react to eating raw apples but be able to eat apples that have been cooked or processed. This is because the allergens may sometimes be eliminated when heated or pasteurized. 

Peels of Rosaceae fruits such as apples have been reported to have a higher amount of allergens in the peel than the pulp.  Some people can tolerate eating the pulp, but not the whole fruit including the skin. 

Be aware that other allergies or sensitivities can be linked to apple allergies, including foods like celery, carrots, and apricots.

Apple Allergy Reactions

A food allergy happens when you eat something and your body mistakenly identifies the food as a threat. To defend itself, the body makes antibodies to fight the intruders, and the immune system triggers an allergic reaction. Reactions depend on the person and can range from mild to severe.

Apple allergy symptoms include:

• Itching of mouth and throat
• Redness, swelling, and itching of the lips
• Stomach discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Trouble breathing
• Rash
• Runny nose (rhinitis) / Sneezing
• More rarely, anaphylaxis (a severe, life threatening reaction).

To help determine if you have an allergy, HealthLabs.com offers a quick blood test to measure IgE antibodies in response to a potential allergen. This means you don’t have to suffer the irritation of traditional skin prick tests.

• No painful skin pricks
• No fasting required
• Accurate results within 1 to 3 days

Sources

1. “Allergy information for: Apple (Malus domestica). The University of Manchester. http://research.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/informall/allergenic-food/index.aspx?FoodId=2
2. “Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) or Pollen Fruit Syndrome (PFS).” American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/outdoor-food-allergies-relate
3. “Peels of Rosaceae fruits have a higher allergenicity than pulps.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10469033