Mushroom Allergy Test in Kolkata

Mushrooms are a nourishing and delicious addition to the diet, whether used to enhance dishes or as the main course. While many people like mushrooms, commonly known as fungi, a small proportion of consumers may experience adverse responses. Since skin contact or breathing in airborne spores, which are akin to minuscule seeds, can also result in symptoms, allergies to mushrooms are rare and unusual.

Even if a person has regularly eaten mushrooms for a long time, a mushroom allergy can develop at any age. A person's immune system reacts when they have a mushroom allergy. The body creates Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against some pollutants because it perceives them as hazardous. An allergic response is indicated by the release of histamine, which is induced by these antibodies.

Depending on the person, mushroom allergy signs can range from minor to severe reactions and might appear minutes to hours following exposure. One or more of the below-mentioned signs may be one or more common side effects of a mushroom allergy:

• Diarrhoea, vomiting, and nausea 
• Mouth, throat, and lip swelling 
• Watery eyes or nasal congestion  
• Wheezing 
• Hives or rashes  
• Bloating or stomach pain

The following symptoms of a mushroom allergy may be more substantial and hazardous:

• Fainting 
• Breathing difficulty 
• A fall in blood pressure

If a person has a mushroom allergy, it is advised to stay away from portobellos, chanterelles, black truffles, morels, shiitake mushrooms, and button or white mushrooms.

To establish whether mushrooms are allergens without the discomfort of conventional skin prick tests, Apollo Pharmacy offers a simple, nearly painless Mushroom Allergy test. The test is beneficial in:

• Determining the presence of a mushroom allergy 
• Identifying the allergen that causes the symptoms and indications 
• Confirming sensitivity prior to initiating immunotherapy 
• Investigating the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens 
• Examining the specificity of allergenic responses to medications or chemicals

Taking an antihistamine will typically help treat a mushroom allergy by reducing the outward symptoms. This medication can be either orally or applied topically as a nasal mist.

However, one should seek medical attention at once if the patient exhibits extreme symptoms such as anaphylactic shock. To calm the respiratory tract, doctors recommend taking the appropriate medication at a suitable dosage.

Take preventative steps to stop the disease from recurring after the signs are under control. 

Medically reviewed by Dr. Saibal Moitra, Allergist and clinical immunologist, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata.