Banana allergy, a cautionary tale.

davep1

I've always cycled, but over the last 3-4 years have really got into it, gradually upping my annual mileage, losing weight, laughing inwardly at commuters in their cars when I am breezing along enjoying my journies.

Anyway, about 2 years ago, I got a new job, heavy industry, exposed daily to metals, chemicals, vapours etc that I would have only rarely encountered before. I was also touching an industrial glue which made my skin go red and itchy, so was moved to a different area of the company.

All this time I was also getting a reaction to my upper lip (comedy Simpson overbite!) and the inside of my mouth behind my top row of teeth always seemed sore, like I had eaten 20 bags of crisps after each other.

The problem was this would come and go, and it wasn't that of much an issue to me, but I got sick of people asking me what had happened. I finally went to the doctor when it also happened on holiday in Italy; having been away from work for 2 and a bit weeks I thought it couldn't just be work or the work environment.

It took a while to get to the stage where I was sent for skin testing, and the biggest reaction I had was to...banana. Over this period, I have probably had a banana a day plus 2 or even 3 when on longer bike rides, and I have been weaning myself on to muesli for breakfast too. The doctor explained my body has got saturated with banana and to stop completely. So if anyone is feeling a bit allergic to something, it could be the cyclist's default snack choice...

lakesluddite

I couldn't stand bananas for about the first 42 years of my life, but then on one century sportive 18 months ago I decided to just hold my nose and chuck a few down, as the benefits seemed to offset the bad taste. I've been on at least two a day ever since.

Thankfully never had any sort of reaction, and I think I'm pretty saturated by now!

Baby Trek

I had this happen to me when I was eating rice for lunch every day. I ended up with a reaction like IBS...very painful for several weeks and a source of problems ever since if I don't watch what I eat, cycle lots and keep my stress down. Just make sure I don't max out on anything now and have a variety of food in the week.

giant_man

very interesting, always had one every day too.

wheeledwidewebb

Shit, I eat at least six a day and I would hate to have to stop, I luv em.

Wish I hadn't read this now

team47b

People who have symptoms when eating bananas might also react to avocado, kiwi and chestnut, and less often other fruits and vegetables such as tomato, bell pepper, olive, potato and custard apple.

Reactions to bananas are most often associated with an allergy to natural rubber latex (sometimes referred to as ‘fruit-latex syndrome’). The reason for this is that latex is produced from the sap of the rubber tree, which contains similar proteins to bananas and other foods such as kiwi and avocado. Around 45% of people who are allergic to latex are also allergic to these fruits.

Cyclist with Latex allergy!

wheeledwidewebb

That's a relief, I use latex all the time

TheHound

I tried a banana for the 1st time today since I was about 5yro (27 now), I immediately started gagging and had to spit it out. How anyone eats those things I don't know.

Greenbeetle

TheHound wrote:

I tried a banana for the 1st time today since I was about 5yro (27 now), I immediately started gagging and had to spit it out. How anyone eats those things I don't know.

You know you have to peel it, right?

Nick Cod

Greenbeetle wrote:

TheHound wrote:

I tried a banana for the 1st time today since I was about 5yro (27 now), I immediately started gagging and had to spit it out. How anyone eats those things I don't know.

You know you have to peel it, right?

And chew it, don't push them down whole

nferrar

Was anyone else disappointed this didn't end in a brown shorts moment?

chrisannear87

sounds like bull to me, IMO. i eat 20 to 30 a day! CARB THE F**K UP!

davep1

You might explode then - someone told me it takes 3 days to fully digest a banana! :shock:

team47b

It would only take 3 days to digest if you include the two days and 20 hours it was in the fruit bowl

Rubbing a banana peel on your forehead can help cure a headache.

ianspeare

I occasionally get chest pains after having a banana smoothie and I'm wondering whether this is the case with me. I love bananas though!

I think it's more when I have green or very hard bananas, but not if they're spotty. This may be the key!

feelgoodlost

I can't stand the bloody things but force myself to eat them nearly every day. They're a brilliant food to have when out on the bike or to mix in with your cereal before a ride. I'm going to try and make a banana milkshake tomorrow morning too! I figure if I just keep eating them I'll start to like them eventually!

damocles10

Reading the OP.....my initial thoughts with the reaction is to do with the exposure to metal, chemicals and vapours....that cannot be good for the human body

I have assume you are well protected from these. The link to bananas seems odd given the above.

Wirral_paul

Just wear this - it'll all be ok then......

chris_bass

feelgoodlost wrote:

I can't stand the bloody things but force myself to eat them nearly every day. They're a brilliant food to have when out on the bike or to mix in with your cereal before a ride. I'm going to try and make a banana milkshake tomorrow morning too! I figure if I just keep eating them I'll start to like them eventually!

other fruits are also available