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Potato Intolerance – Can Potatoes Cause Stomach Pain?

An allergy to cooked potatoes is rather rare. Most people allergic to potatoes react to the essential oils in the tuber. These are destroyed during cooking. Therefore, even allergy sufferers can consume potatoes when cooked.

The allergen is destroyed by heating the potato above 100 degrees. The allergy-causing substance is damaged, allowing even allergy sufferers to consume the tuber. 

What is a cross-allergy?

Many people who suffer from a potato intolerance are also affected by intolerances or allergies to other foods. Usually, these foods belong to the same family. This means that people who are allergic or intolerant to the brown tuber may react with the same symptoms to tomatoes. 

Vegetables and fruits from the same family usually contain the same proteins. A common cross-allergy related to potatoes is the allergy to birch pollen.

In general, allergy sufferers are more susceptible. Cross-reactions triggered in connection with potatoes include, besides birch pollen, allergies to hazelnuts or latex. 

If, conversely, you suffer from a latex allergy, for example, it is possible that you are also allergic to cooked potatoes. 

For this topic, it’s best to contact your doctor. Together, you can find out which foods you are particularly allergic or intolerant to. 

The symptoms of a potato intolerance

Can you handle and eat the potato without any problems or symptoms? In that case, you are not affected by a potato intolerance.

Affected individuals already experience initial symptoms while processing the potato. Usually, the hands start to itch or a rash develops. If the symptoms appear immediately after contact, it is most likely a potato allergy.

The disease symptoms of an intolerance appear only later. Sometimes it can take several days before the symptoms show up. An intolerance is therefore very difficult to diagnose. 

Do your symptoms keep recurring? See a doctor. Together, you can get to the bottom of the cause.

Typical symptoms of an intolerance usually include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, but also fatigue or tiredness. The symptoms should definitely be checked by a doctor. The cause of your symptoms may also be an organic problem. Therefore, be sure to consult a doctor. 

The symptoms of a potato allergy

In an allergy, the symptoms are usually much more intense than in an intolerance. They mostly appear first orally. This means the symptoms usually first occur around the mouth area.

This can involve itching around the mouth or the lips beginning to swell. The tongue is often affected as well. 

Headaches, a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, and skin rashes are classic symptoms of a potato allergy. 

If you suffer from symptoms like those mentioned above, you must urgently see a doctor. The symptoms of a potato allergy are usually much milder than those of a nut allergy, but they can still quickly become life-threatening. 

This can trigger life-threatening symptoms. Your throat may swell, or there may be general swelling in the pharyngeal area. This leads to shortness of breath. 

After the symptoms have occurred once, you should definitely get an allergy test. This will clarify which foods you are actually allergic to. 

This also gives you the opportunity to prevent it from happening again. You are on the safe side because you now know what you are allergic to and can specifically avoid these foods. 

How dangerous is a potato allergy?

Any allergy that can lead to shortness of breath is dangerous. In the worst case, it could lead to a life-threatening situation. Especially if the throat and pharynx are affected, breathing can be impaired by the allergic reaction. 

Potato allergy can also cause symptoms like hives. The symptoms can worsen at any time. The severity of the symptoms cannot be influenced by anyone. 

If you know that you are allergic to potatoes, you should definitely avoid them. Your doctor can also prescribe a preventive antiallergic medication that you can carry with you for safety. 

An allergic reaction only becomes an emergency in very few cases. The advantage of the reaction is that it develops slowly and the symptoms gradually worsen. Usually, an allergic reaction begins with symptoms such as itching, tingling in the body, headaches, or difficulty swallowing. 

However, there are some symptoms that require you to call emergency services immediately. If you notice your pulse flattening, your airways tightening, your lips turning blue, or your skin becoming cold and pale, call an emergency doctor right away. 

No one can predict how severe the symptoms might become. So it’s better to be safe and call a doctor. 

What can you do if you have a potato allergy?

Do you suspect you are allergic to potatoes? Be sure to get tested by a doctor. They can find out if you really have an allergy. Do not try to test food intolerance on your own.

An allergic reaction can be much more severe than you might expect. An allergic reaction can become life-threatening. This applies to all allergies, not just potato allergy. 

Testing for potato intolerance

It’s best to contact your doctor if you feel you have an allergy or intolerance. 

The doctor can perform a physical examination. This allows them to directly rule out other organic or physical causes. 

The most common form of allergy testing is a skin test, also called a prick test. This can detect a reaction to a specific food. During the test, the doctor applies a small amount of the allergenic substance to your skin. A needle is used to prick your skin to introduce the substance just under the surface. Don’t worry! The amount is small, and you are medically monitored at all times so that immediate action can be taken in an emergency. The test is painless and quick. 

In addition, a water solution is applied to you, along with a histamine solution for control. The test is considered successful if there is no reaction to the watery solution. The area where the histamine was applied should show a reaction.

The doctor can determine if there is a hypersensitivity by checking for redness or hives in a specific area. This confirms your allergy.

Another option is an oral test. A small amount of potatoes is given to you. You remain in the doctor's office the entire time and are medically monitored. If you show no symptoms during this time, you can continue to consume potatoes. 

The blood test can provide information about various allergies and intolerances. After the blood is drawn, it is examined in the lab for antibodies. Another advantage of the blood test is that several foods can be tested at once.

What is the elimination diet?

With the elimination diet, it can be determined whether you suffer from a potato intolerance. For this, you must follow a specific diet plan. You need to be especially consistent here.

Avoid all foods that contain potatoes. This can strengthen the suspicion of an intolerance. The elimination diet must be followed for at least two weeks. A period of at least four weeks is better. 

However, an elimination diet cannot distinguish between an allergy and an intolerance. Therefore, it is not conclusive and can only be used as support to get a clue about the problematic food.

What you should consider with a potato intolerance

If you have a potato intolerance, you need to read every label very carefully when shopping. Potatoes are found in many foods. The starch is often used as a thickening agent in sauces, bread, or other processed foods. 

In a restaurant, you must definitely inform the staff about your intolerance. Be sure to make it clear that you suffer from an allergy or intolerance. 

Potatoes appear in many processed foods. They are used as a binder in stews, soups, or sauces. In baked goods, wheat flour may be replaced by potato flour. 

Did you know that even sweets sometimes contain potatoes? Potato starch is used as a thickening agent in the confectionery industry. Cheese can also contain potato starch. 

By the way, with a potato intolerance, you not only have to watch out for solid foods. Potatoes can even be found in vodka. Many vodka varieties are actually made from potatoes. 

Depending on how severe your hypersensitivity or intolerance is, you also need to make sure that your meals are not prepared in the same pan where potatoes were previously fried or cooked. If you have a high sensitivity, even a leftover trace of potato can be enough to trigger symptoms.

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