Lentils are legumes that are extremely nutritious and include high dietary fiber. Lentil allergy is an adverse reaction caused by the immune system of the human body to foods and lentils containing lentils. Histamine and Immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody is produced by the immune system of the body when the body comes in contact with lentil. The symptoms caused because of lentil allergy may fluctuate considerably.
Lentils are packed with vitamins and minerals comprise rich protein. These are categorized as beans and appeal to family of beans and peanuts. Consequently, if a individual is allergic to a kind of lentil, then he could also be allergic to other kind of lentils. If a individual is allergic to lentils, then an individual has to have a look at the indicators and decide to consume other plant based proteins.
This allergy is caused due to high protein content within the legumes. According to the USDA, 1 cup of cooked legumes comprises about 18 grams protein, 15 g fiber, 3.5 g sugar, 40 grams carbohydrates, less than 1 gram fat and 230 calories. The report discusses about the principal symptoms brought on because of lentil allergy as well as its remedy in the next lines.
Symptoms of Lentil Allergy
Allergy to legumes or lentils manifest the very same symptoms for all types of legumes. They may vary from oral allergy, rhinitis, urticaria, angioedema and asthmatic catastrophe to anaphylactic shock and sometimes, it might even result in death. There’s a high amount of immunological cross reactivity and that’s been shown by scientists involving beans and involving different legumes.
Some of the common symptoms caused by lentil allergy are as follows:
- Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
- Swelling on lips, mouth and tongue
- Skin reactions like rashes, hives, intense itching and redness
- Common cold or hay fever like symptoms can lead to watery eyes and clogged nasal passage with runny nose and wheezing
- Anaphylaxis: Severe symptoms can be caused like dizziness, breathlessness and sudden decrease in blood pressure
The most commonly seen symptoms of lentil allergy include skin reactions and respiratory symptoms. The above mentioned signs of the condition can be diagnosed by carrying out skin test and blood tests like RAST. They reveal the allergen causing this state and the severity.
Treatment of Lentil Allergy
Lentil soup ought to be prevented and it also needs to be prevented in any other type to reduce recurrence. It’s stated that drinking the lentil can weaken the allergen, but the issue can nevertheless persist. In some individuals, even the steam arising out of the lentil cooking pot can lead to severe allergic reactions. A number of these effective ways to Deal with lentil allergy are:
- Some mild to moderate symptoms of lentil allergy can be effectively controlled by applying medicated skin creams (corticosteroids) and antihistamines
- Severe and anaphylactic symptoms such as dizziness and breathlessness requires emergency intervention and epinephrine injections. These can also be self-administered through Epi-pen
- An allergic person can still get plant protein staying away from legumes due to lentil allergy. There comes up the need to introduce beans, edamame, sprouts, soy nuts, alfalfa and certain nuts in the diet to meet the daily requirement of protein. Nuts like walnuts, cashews and almonds are a great source of fat and protein
One must be very careful while eating outside and also while shopping for the food. Make sure, the restaurant food does not contain any lentil and also read the label of the food product carefully before buying.
