Tomato Allergies: Part I
By Michelle Fabio
If you’re reading this site it’s probably because you love tomatoes (although surely some tomato haters must have guilty pleasures too).
Sadly, though, some people cannot enjoy the tomato no matter how much they would like to because of a food allergy.
How do you know if you’re allergic to tomatoes?
Allergic reactions to tomatoes could include tingling of the lips or in the mouth or even a red, itchy rash. In extreme cases, anaphylactic shock, in which breathing becomes difficult, can occur—this of course requires immediate medical attention.
If you suspect a tomato allergy, you should see a doctor or licensed allergist for testing. Many of those allergic to tomatoes are sensitive to the IgE protein in raw tomatoes, which is sometimes destroyed when tomatoes are cooked.
Accordingly cooked tomatoes may be tolerated even by those with an allergy to raw tomatoes.
Notably, people with tomato allergies may also be allergic to other members of the nightshade family such as potatoes, peppers, and eggplant, so it’s always a good idea to get allergy testing done if any reactions to these appear.
Source: Got a Tomato Allergy?
March 1st, 2008 at 8:39 am
if i was allergic to tomatoes i might have to end it all. hands down its my favorite food.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:04 am
I hear you Gina. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t eat them anymore. It would be a sad day to say the least.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
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March 22nd, 2008 at 11:15 am
NOMATO.com is a great place to go if you find out you have an allergic reaction to tomatoes. I think I may have it, and will find out on Tuesday if it is indeed what I am allergic to. I have an allergist appointment. I would much rather have this allergy than to have a gluten one, which I am hoping that this is the case.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
What is the best over the counter allergy product that you have tried? Thanks…
May 14th, 2008 at 1:31 am
@ Doreena, I’m wondering if you ever found out what you’re allergic to?
@ Bobby, for tomato allergies, I haven’t tried any, but for pollen/hay fever personal experience, I like Alleve, if that helps
October 4th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Thank you. This article was very informative. My boyfriend I’ve been dating for about 2 years has a tomato allergy, and I had never heard of it, so at first I didn’t believe him..but after reading this article and many others, I am very happy to now understand my lovers culinary handicap.
October 4th, 2008 at 1:01 am
It does sound unbelievable to those of us who love tomatoes so much, but unfortunately not everyone is so lucky to be able to enjoy them! Glad you found us Natalie
October 8th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I’m so glad I found this site. My allergy is just as they describe (and confirmed by a doctor.) I can eat processed tomatoes just fine, such as tomatoe paste or even canned items, but I can not ingest a fresh tomato. I get a bright red skin rash and as my family says, actually turn “into a tomato” myself. But I’ve never loved them to begin with, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on that much
October 9th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Happy that you’ve figured out the allergy, and that we’ve been of some help. And don’t worry–I’ll eat your share of raw tomatoes
October 27th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
To those allergic to tomato & trying “cooked” tomato dishes. Be careful. I was warned by my allergist to stop eating all forms of tomato dishes with the warning that it would eventually get more severe, and possibly lead to more severe sensitization. In fact I tested “negative” to the allergist’s scratch-test tomato test-solution. Well, being the pizza, spaghetti & taco lover I am, I continued eating dishes w/o raw tomato and only cooked tomato sauces.
Well he was correct….it has been 10 years of foolishness and now even the “slightest” exposure to a tomato sauce and I get to use my “epi-pen” & then visit the e-Room. Beware!
October 28th, 2008 at 2:53 am
Thanks so much for this information, George! I’m sorry that you’ve become so sensitive
October 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Am older now allgery just started. Let me tell you that itching for days is not where it,s at!
October 30th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Mark, no, that’s not cool at all. I’m very sorry. Itching is *awful.*
October 30th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Michelle, outside of not eating them (ouch) is there anything else that can be done for this itching problem? Anyone else please join in on this, I never thought I.d need to go to tomatoe annon.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Mark, I went through the same “issues” for the past 10 years, taking antihistamines, benadryl, chlortrimitron, etc. to minimize my reactions, but they eventually became worse.
If you are allergic to environmentals such as pollens, dust, & molds you can try isolating yourself from these while eating tomato, since allergic reactions can be the result of accumulative environmental exposures PLUS the tomato exposure. This will minimize your tomato reaction.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Mark, I was going to suggest benadryl, antihistamines, but George has been through this…listen to him I say!
October 31st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Thanks guys, but I think it,s going to cold turkey for me. I can,t even look a tomatoe person in the face. Just like to say it,s nice to know there people out there like me, the world does need a support group. (laugh out loud)!!! Talk to you soon. Mark J Out!
November 1st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Thanks guys!
November 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Best of luck, Mark. I hope it’s easier than it sounds!
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hi, Mark -
Like you, my allergy progressed as I got older. I’ve been allergic to tomatoes in varying degrees for the past 20 years - to the point I can’t eat them at all the last 10 years or so.
Here are some things I’ve learned throughout the years that you may or may not find helpful - you will learn that it can be challenging at times to avoid them…but you can - I do it every day.
Don’t forget to check your food labels on everything you eat. It’s painful the first few trips to the grocery store but worth it. Doritos (all kinds including Ranch), French dressing, Thousand Island dressing, etc. all contain tomato powder, which can cause an equally painful reaction. The worst food for me is baked beans - I can eat certain brands/flavors, but sometimes my family forgets or adds ‘just a little bit of ketchup’.
Also something to consider is that your allergy can span green tomato, tomatillo, and pimento as well so green salsa is not necessarily your best friend.
You probably know this, but be cautious of eating out - I love pizza so everyone says go for the alfredo version. That’s great until they use the same cutter to cut someone else’s tomato sauce pizza in front of mine. Also not knowing what meat has been seasoned with also pushes me towards ’safe’ foods like baked potatoes when I’m eating out. I completely avoid Pizza places, Italian, and Mexican - too much cross-contamination possible. Great alternatives though are Chinese and Cajun foods. I think Thai foods might be a possibility as well, but that’s not an option in my area.
As far as medication to help with itching/reactions- Zyrtec is the one my doctor recommends. I take it daily as a precautionary treatment. I also keep children’s liquid benadryl on hand - it works into your system faster to help relieve symptoms. The bottle does have the adult dosage listed on it as well. I carry an epi-pen always as a precaution and also keep children’s fast-melt benadryls in my purse while I’m out and about.
As far as topical relief, Aveeno makes a soothing oatmeal bath and makes a baby bath wash product for itchy skin - I highly recommend both when you need some additional relief. Remember that hot water makes it worse because it adds to the swelling/irritation - lukewarm is best. Believe me - chills on top of hives are awful.
If you have severe reactions, please consider getting a medical bracelet/id. I never thought I’d need one, but when you’re having an allergic reaction, sometimes you can’t talk. People around you need to know what to do and will feel better if you have one.
Best of luck to you.
November 4th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Thank you *so* much for taking the time to add this information, Mandy. You will help many, many tomato allergy sufferers!
November 27th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Well, reading what Mandy wrote was an eye-opener. I have been dealing with my tomato allergy for 20 years, and until now I never thought to look online for others like myself! I don’t know why it took me so long!
I have found some of the same foods as Mandy spoke of, also bother me. I had to learn the hard way. Doritos chips are a big one which most people wouldn’t think of as containing a tomato product. It is nice to hear I’m not crazy - that there are others out there that feel the way I do. Here are some others which bother me: Ketchup (of course), BBQ sauce, taco sauce, taco seasoning, peppers, onions, Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Sweet and Sour Chicken, (lots of Chinese food if there is peppers, etc in it) and Meatloaf (if there is onions, ketchup & certain types of seasoning). There is much more to list, so I will have to sit down and really think about it.
My symptoms include, itching or burning lips; red and itchy spots on my legs and face; itchy eyes; and most of all, my hands get red and itchy. If you look real close, you can see tiny little blisters under the skin. My hands get so broke out that they crack and bleed. It gets worse if I’m hot. Heat is the enemy when my allergy is at it’s worse.
November 27th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Wow Alicia, thanks so much for running down some of the things you’re allergic to; I’m sure this will help lots of people avoid all that burning, itching, and uncomfortableness!
February 18th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I’ve read all the posts on this site. I hate to say it, but I was just diagnosed with a tomato allergy yesterday. I’m still shocked. I’ve eaten pizza, spaghetti, tacos, you name it, for years and years (I’m 36). I’ve also been diagnosed with eosophilic esophagitis. I have scar tissue in my esaphagus now that will never go away, a stricture caused by eating obviously these foods (I’m also allergic to eggs, most tree nuts, and chicken) and now have to radically restrict what was already a pretty restrictive diet. To say I’m a little scared is an understatement. Some people tell me I must have a nervous condition that’s caused all this to happen, but that doesn’t seem to be supported by the research.
February 18th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Anybody have some good non-tomato salsa or italian recipes they can share? A non-tomato spaghetti or pizza sauce recipe, or salza would sure be nice to try.
Thanks
April 10th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
i,m just starting to find out what is wrong with me, now that i,m under an immunologist..hazelnut and kiwi fruit, housedust mites and cats and dogs, and grass pollen seem to be the culprits…but i don,t eat these things and i,m still having very bad reactions…sore itchy skin ..please help.
April 28th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
GMO - tomatoes
Symptoms small water blisters, itchy on hands, areas appear reddish in color. Blisters are small, clear…
Eventually dry to produce dry flaky skin on hands.
Though cracking around finger joints.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Thank you all for the information. I just found out that I’m allergic to tomatoes and all tomato products. In my case, seems to be familial, my father and sister both developed a tomato allergy in their 50’s (like me). However, after about 10 years they were able to eat tomatoes again. Is that common??
I know people have much worse medical problems, but a tomato allergy is really annoying!
July 1st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Today I had a reaction to tomato. Afew days ago I had some cherry tomatoes and noticed a little itching and a few hives. They come up and they go down. Today was different I go all itchy and the hives came up and red itchy skin all over.
Tonight not thinking we had pizza a few hives came up and itchy again. I’m getting worried about this and am going to buy that benadryl on Thursday.
I have a doctor’s appt on Monday so I will mention it to him as well.
My main fear after reading about what can happen is we live 20 minutes outside the only town with a hospital and that has me worried.
I have the tingling around the mouth as well, I don’t know if a worse episode is on the way or not.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Dottie -
It’s definitely scary to feel so far away from medical attention. When you see your doctor on Monday, I would ask him about a prescription for an Epi-Pen. I, too, live outside of town, and I feel so much better knowing I have that available to help me until I can get to the ER. You may carry it and never have to use it, but just the peace of mind is well worth it.
I would definitely keep Benadryl on hand - liquid Children’s Benadryl will get into your system faster. I also suggest Fast-melts (or they have the tubes of liquid now) to carry in your purse. You just need to take an adult dose of it - Children’s Liquid Benadryl will have the adult dosage instructions on it.
If you suspect a reaction, the sooner the Benadryl is into your system, the better. A late-night stomach ache can be a tell-tale sign for me of a reaction (I often have what I call ‘delayed’ reactions), so unless I just know I have the stomach flu - I take Benadryl immediately if I wake up with any kind of stomach ache.
You may have a ‘pre-warning’ sign so that might help you figure out when you are about to have a reaction. I have a couple. During the day if it is an immediate reaction, my hands will turn red and start itching. Like I mentioned earlier, if it’s a delayed reaction, I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with a stomach ache.
If it is a tomato allergy, I posted some things earlier that I have to watch that might be good for you to review. I know it is not pleasant or easy to give up so many foods that you love, but I’ve discovered doing without is much better than the alternative.
The other thing I highly recommend is a med id - when having a reaction, you do not always have the capability to speak. You may never need it, but it may give you some peace of mind to know that information is available to medical personnel if needed.
Best of luck to you.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Thank you Mandy I bought the benedryl but not the childrens liquid i’ll pic that up today. Never thought liquid, but yes that would be much faster. I haven’t seen the fast-melts as of yet, maybe their not here yet. I’m in Canada.
Definitely will mention that prescription to the doctor on Monday. I’ll look into the med id as well.
Thanks and I’ll read through the things you have posted as well.
dottie
August 1st, 2009 at 2:48 am
age 72. right leg started itching me recently. very red from all the scratching. possible cause-tomato sauce although I also take medications which may have something to do with it. My suspicion is that the tomato sauce may be the culprit even though I have never been bothered by it previously. Any ideas?
August 4th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Has anybody had sinus issues flare ups as a result of a tomato intolerance? I have chronic sinusitis, and I am starting to see a pattern when ingesting tomato products and fresh tomatoes
August 24th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
My daughter has been diagnosed with tomato allergy. As well as strawberry, orange, carrot, watermelon and apple. Although her allergies appear to be only to raw products and her symptoms include itchy,tingly mouth lips and tongue, we were told this is unlikely to get worse. I would love feed back on anyones thoughts regarding the possibility of these allergy symptoms getting worse. She does also suffer extreme sinusitis, hayfever and mild asthma
August 25th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Every August my face breaks out with small hard blemishes I wonder if it is tomatoes out of my garden or just August.
September 24th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Lena,
I have also had chronic sinusitis as a result of a tomato intolerance. As soon as I cut them out of my diet I was completely fine. No more swolen eyes! I suggest you do the same. I think there may be something else as I still get a few flare ups after eating. Trying to work out what it could be.
January 13th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
I became allergic to tomatoes shortly after the birth of my first child. I can not have even a drop of fresh juice, or about 8 hours later, I’m am extremely sick. I can have sauce if it is cooked to nothing. (Like I can have Ragu, but not Prego…cuz it’s not cooked down to pure sauce.) I have been told that maybe I shouldn’t have those because it could get worse. For years, I would sometimes get sick after cross contamination…but now I ask subway etc to change gloves/knives…and they will also often get a fresh bag of lettuce if it is placed to close to the tomatoes in the prep area…and things have gotten better. I’ve also taken some mangosteen, and it’s supposed to help allergies, although I’m not faithful about taking it. I’m not sure what the difference is, but it’s been better, after 15 years of misery. I also learned to take anti-histimines if I think I MIGHT have gotten some cross-contamination…or I bite into something and see a tomatoe even when an item was ordered without….and that has helped a lot. I still get sick, and it lasts for a couple days instead of hours…but I can function, instead of being about dehydrated on the bathroom floor! I can’t believe it took years for doctors to tell me anti-histimines would help…I just thought they were for ‘nose’/hayfever type allergies! So, in case anyone else didn’t figure that out…there ya go. I also think the mangosteen might be worth a try.