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What Are Rare Allergies and
What to Do
Educational information only — always follow your clinician’s guidance and your personalized action plan.
Rare food allergies are less common sensitivities that can still cause serious reactions, including anaphylaxis, and require careful management. They include alpha-gal syndrome (an immune response to red meat often linked to tick bites), corn allergy affecting ~1 in 50,000 people, fruit/vegetable reactions like oral allergy syndrome, and nightshade or mollusk allergies. Triggers may be hidden in foods and labels, so strict avoidance, emergency epinephrine, and professional diagnosis are essential for safety and quality of life.
Flashcards
Fast, high-retention summaries for food-allergy safety.
Also known as Cheat Sheets
Rare doesn’t mean mild.
Plan- Symptoms can include anaphylaxis.
- Take “new” reactions seriously.
Corn is everywhere.
Urgent- It’s hard to avoid in processed foods.
- Diagnosis is often delayed.
- Write down what happened (what you ate, time, symptoms).
OAS is pollen-linked.
First-line- Often affects raw fruits/veg.
- Symptoms usually stay in the mouth.
Mollusks can be severe.
Always- Mollusks can be severe.
- Ask clearly about seafood types in broth, sauce, or seasoning
- Ask clearly about seafood types in broth, sauce, or seasoning
Nightshade Allergy
Hidden risk- You may react to some nightshades, not all
- May not react to EpiPen
- Don’t assume “nightshade Non-IgE Allergy” always means “all nightshades.”
What Not to Assume
Plan- It’s rare, so it can’t be serious.
- Labels always tell the full story.
- I was fine once; I’ll be fine again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Sources
- Rare and Unusual Food Allergies — Learn About What They Are, What Causes Them, and the Associated Symptoms
- Food Allergy and Alcohol
- Alcohol Allergy – Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
- Food allergy and alcohol – Allergy Facts
- Alcohol Allergies and Intolerance – Verywell Health:
- Ask the allergist about Alcohol Allergy– December 2023 – Food Allergy Canada:
- Allergy Insider by Thermo Fisher Scientific: Support for lesser-known or “orphan” allergies.
- 8 Rare Food Allergies: Red Meat, Sesame Seed, Avocado, Corn, Mango, Marshmallows,Dried Fruit, Hot Dogs
- FPIES and EoE: Sometimes referred to as a delayed food allergy, is a severe condition causing vomiting and diarrhea