Nightshade Allergy Symptoms and Treatment 

red pepper with cut slices (nightshade allergy)

Have you ever broken out in an itchy rash after eating tomatoes or noticed your mouth swelling after devouring a plate of fries?

If this sounds familiar, you might have a rare allergy to nightshade vegetables, which are part of the Solanaceae plant family.

Throughout this post, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about –

  • Which vegetables are part of the nightshade family
  • Common symptoms of a nightshade allergy
  • Natural and effective treatments for a food allergy

Read on to learn more about how your body and immune system might react to the vegetables you’re consuming, help you gain more control over your allergic reactions, and how to treat your allergy symptoms effectively.

Nightshade Vegetables

‘Nightshade’ refers to a group of flowering plants that are high in naturally occurring alkaloids, such as solanine, nicotine, and capsaicin.

Some common edible nightshades include –

  • Green potatoes
  • Bell peppers 
  • Hot peppers and pepper flakes
  • Tomatoes 
  • Eggplant 
  • Goji berries

Causes of Nightshade Allergies

Food allergies are caused when the body’s immune system overreacts to a substance that is otherwise not harmful, treating certain ingredients as a ‘threat.’

In the case of allergies to vegetables such as potatoes or bell peppers, a person’s immune system often flares up in response to the alkaloids in nightshades, flooding the bloodstream with histamine and other defensive chemicals.

These chemicals then set off a cascade of allergic reaction symptoms, which protect the body from danger.

Due to the atopic march, you are more likely to develop food allergies if you also cope with eczema or asthma.

Common Symptoms of Nightshade Allergy

The symptoms of nightshade allergy tend to range from mild to life-threatening, with some common examples including –

  • Itchy skin and related skin rashes such as hives
  • Swelling of the face
  • Excessive mucus, including a runny or stuffed nose 
  • Achey, stiff muscles
  • Joint pain

Severe Reactions

In the case of an extremely rare, severe allergic reaction, eating nightshades may also lead to –

  • tightening of the airways
  • Struggles breathing
  • A sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Loss of consciousness.

Solanine poisoning may also occur when high levels of the alkaloid are consumed. For example, green potatoes are very high in solanine, so they’re best avoided.

The key symptoms of solanine poisoning include headaches, vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea.

What Is a Nightshade Intolerance?

While nightshade allergies are rare, more commonly, people may experience a nightshade intolerance.

The main difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance is that the latter does not involve an immune response.

Instead, food intolerances usually occur when your digestive system struggles to process a specific food type or compound, often leading to symptoms that are specifically connected to your stomach, such as –

  • Vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

Nightshade allergies and Autoimmune diseases – What’s The Link?

Studies have discovered that many of the chemical compounds found within nightshade vegetables have the power to exacerbate bodily inflammation and aggravate the immune system.

For people living with autoimmune disorders, therefore, this means that eating nightshades could worsen the symptoms of specific underlying health issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritisceliac diseaseor Crohn’s disease. 

For these same reasons, nightshade allergies may also be linked to a leaky gut.

How Do You Diagnose Nightshade Allergies?

If you or your loved one suspect you might have a food allergy, your first port of call is to speak with your doctor and arrange an appointment with an allergist

This will be the best way to help you decipher which foods are causing you trouble.

Like many other types of allergies, nightshade allergies will typically be diagnosed through various tests, including a skin prick test and blood test.

Nightshade Allergy Treatment Methods

Contrary to some people’s fears, living with a food allergy doesn’t have to be restrictive. There are many practical steps that you can take to help prevent further allergic reactions and to soothe your symptoms fast.

If this sounds relevant, we’ve got some tips to get you started –

Try An Elimination Diet

One of the most effective ways to help calm your immune system and prevent another allergic reaction is to begin an elimination diettrying to cut nightshade vegetables out of your diet.

For example, you might wish to swap out white potatoes for sweet potatoes or eggplant for mushrooms.

Don’t hesitate to consult a dietician if you’d like some support putting together delicious, nutritious meals that will feel kind on your gut, too.

Keep Your Skin Hydrated

If eating nightshades has caused you to break out in a full-body rash, keeping your skin well-hydrated will significantly reduce itchiness.

In particular, this Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream is packed full of the finest quality manuka honey, which is teeming with anti-inflammatory properties to reduce allergic swelling. Use this honey-kissed, sensitive skin moisturizer everywhere! From head to toe, from delicate parts like eyes and lips down to knees and feet, and every space in between.

Wear Hypoallergenic Clothing

Wear soft, breathable clothing made from hypoallergenic materials, such as 100% organic cotton, to avoid making itchy skin worse.

For example, to ensure you’re comfortable sleeping at night or relaxing around the house, try these 100% Organic Cotton Lounge Pants for Women or Men.

If you are coping with itchy hives across your chest (as is often the case with food allergies), why not try out this 100% Organic Cotton Camisole, a great anti-itch solution to wear under your clothes as a base layer?

Heal Your Nightshade Allergy Symptoms Today

Follow these tips to help you safely combat your nightshade allergy symptoms today.

TAGS:

Leave a Comment





Pin It on Pinterest

Share This