Bananas are a popular, nutritious fruit, but for some people with food allergies, they may be one more food on the “can’t eat” list. Although a banana allergy is rare, it’s often accompanied by other food allergies. “I have been suffering for many years from excruciating stomach pain if I eat raw fruits and vegetables such as avocados, raspberries, bananas, etc. The list keeps on increasing every year and one food item gets added,” one MyFoodAllergyTeam member shared.

Learning more about a banana allergy may lead you to a better understanding about other foods to watch out for and whether you’re at risk for more serious allergic reactions from bananas. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one has a banana allergy, here are six key facts.

1. Banana Allergy Is Rare

A banana allergy is uncommon, with estimates stating that only 0.04 percent to 1.2 percent of the general population is affected. However, some people with underlying conditions may be more likely to have a banana allergy. For example, a banana allergy is more common among people with atopic dermatitis (the most common type of eczema) and asthma.

Although a banana allergy is relatively rare, other allergies may be at play. A banana allergy is often accompanied by other allergies as part of oral allergy syndrome or latex food syndrome, which we describe below. Some people are allergic to bananas not due to oral allergy syndrome or latex food syndrome, but this is rare.

2. Banana Allergy May Be a Sign of Oral Allergy Syndrome

People who have a banana allergy usually have other food allergies as part of oral allergy syndrome. If you have an allergic reaction to raw bananas and certain other raw fruits and vegetables, you may have oral allergy syndrome. Oral allergy syndrome, also known as pollen-food allergy syndrome, is when you have a pollen allergy and have an allergic reaction when you eat certain foods that are botanically related to that pollen.

Bananas are one of the foods that can cause oral allergy syndrome as they are botanically related to ragweed pollen. This means if you are allergic to ragweed pollen, which peaks in late summer or fall, you may have an allergic reaction to bananas.

Oral allergy syndrome happens because the proteins in some fruits and vegetables look so similar to the proteins in the related pollen that when you eat the food, the immune system gets confused, thinks it came into contact with pollen, and causes an allergic response. This is called cross-reactivity.

Other foods or plants that are botanically related to ragweed pollen and may cause oral allergy syndrome include:

• Melon, such as honeydew, watermelon, or cantaloupe
• Cucumber
• Zucchini
• Sunflower seeds
• Chamomile (an herb)
• Echinacea (a flowering plant)

In addition, one study from the journal Foods showed that people with banana allergies were also often allergic to the following foods:

• Kiwi
• Avocado
• Persimmon
• Grapes
• Durian

3. Banana Allergy May Mean You’re Also Allergic to Latex

Being allergic to bananas may be a sign that you’re allergic to latex, too. Bananas may cause latex food syndrome in people who are allergic to natural rubber latex. In this case, the proteins in the banana are similar to those in the latex, causing the immune system to confuse banana proteins as latex proteins and cause an allergic response.

“Well, I’m allergic to banana, too, and that was the first sign of my newly diagnosed latex allergy,” one MyFoodAllergyTeam member wrote.

A latex allergy can be more dangerous than food allergies due to oral allergy syndrome. Symptoms of a latex allergy can be mild or severe, such as respiratory symptoms, and should be discussed with a doctor or allergist.

4. Symptoms of Banana Allergy May Be Mild or Serious

Symptoms of a banana allergy caused by oral allergy syndrome or latex food syndrome are generally mild and show up where the banana comes in contact with the body, like the mouth and throat. These symptoms may include:

• Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Hives (itchy rash) around the mouth
• Itchy mouth and throat

“Bananas can cause issues but mild,” one member shared. Another member wrote, “I also get cramps in my tummy with banana and tongue tingling that turns into a burning sensation as the digestion goes on.”

Anaphylaxis — a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction — is rare in people with oral allergy syndrome or latex food syndrome. However, people who are allergic to bananas but not pollen or latex are more likely to have severe allergic reactions to bananas, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. Severe reactions, known as the ABC symptoms, include:

• Airway (A) — Swelling in the tongue, throat, or upper airway, which can lead to a hoarse voice, problems swallowing, or tightness in the throat
• Breathing (B) — Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or breathing that is noisy
• Circulation (C) — Faintness or dizziness, pale and clammy skin, confusion, fatigue, sudden sleepiness, or loss of consciousness

Anaphylaxis often involves a change in heart rate or blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Any one or more of the above symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor about your risk of anaphylaxis from a banana allergy so that you’re prepared to keep yourself safe.

5. People With Oral Allergy Syndrome or Latex Food Syndrome May Need To Avoid Eating Bananas

For people with oral allergy syndrome or latex food syndrome, managing the allergy may simply mean avoiding that food. If you do eat a banana and have a reaction, stop eating the banana and rinse your mouth with water. Symptoms happen immediately but go away quickly, usually in less than 30 minutes.

People with oral allergy syndrome or latex food syndrome may be able to eat cooked forms of raw fruits or vegetables that would normally cause them problems. This is because the protein that causes the immune system to cause an allergic reaction is deactivated by the heat. Thus, cooked or processed bananas may not pose a problem. A study in the journal Foods found that 15 percent to 59 percent of people with banana allergies experienced symptoms after eating processed bananas. Talk to your doctor or allergist about whether you may be able to eat cooked or processed forms of bananas safely.

Sometimes, oral allergy syndrome only causes symptoms during pollen season. For example, you might have oral allergy syndrome symptoms, such as an itchy mouth or throat, when you eat a banana in the late summer or fall but can eat a banana without a problem the rest of the year.

6. People With Serious Allergic Reactions to Bananas May Need To Carry an EpiPen

People with serious allergic reactions to bananas need to avoid bananas and take extra precautions, including:

• Making sure none of their medications have banana flavoring or banana essence
• Avoiding any foods or drinks that may contain bananas or be contaminated with bananas, such as fruit drinks or fruit salads
• Reading the ingredients list of all personal care products and toiletries for anything banana related

If you’re at risk of anaphylaxis, your doctor may prescribe you an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, Auvi-Q, or another brand. This device is essential to have on hand in case of an emergency. Make sure to ask your doctor how and when to use epinephrine.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyFoodAllergyTeam is the social network for people with food allergies and their loved ones. On MyFoodAllergyTeam, more than 41,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with food allergies.

Do you have a banana allergy? What symptoms do you have? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.