Posted on January 26, 2008 in Latest News
The coconut palm tree is a native of the tropics. The fruit of the palm is known as the “coconut”. Allergic reactions to eating coconut have been reported, but are relatively rare. By contrast, contact allergic dermatitis to coconut products is more common. Sensitisation to coconut pollen has been reported.
Coconut is a very different plant from peanut or tree nuts. The presence of the letters “nut” does not mean that coco-”nut” will trigger an allergic reaction in people allergic to peanut or tree nuts.
The relative frequency of allergy to peanut and tree nuts (relatively common) compared to those allergic to coconut (very rare) would suggest that the risk of coconut allergy in an individual known to be allergic to peanut or tree nuts is very low, so much so that allergy testing to coconut is not considered as “routine”. At the present time there are no published studies examining how often people allergic to peanut or tree nuts are also allergic to coconut.
Acquired mainly by ingestion, but also by inhalation and contact, coconut is difficult to avoid, as it is found in many processed foods and virtually all bar and liquid soaps. Thus treatment may have to be desensitization.
As with any contact dermatitis, an itchy blistering rash may arise a day or two after contact with the allergen, and take several days to resolve. If contact dermatitis to coconut products is suspected, then patch testing is an appropriate method for diagnosis.
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