STRAWBERRY There are two variety of ... - Prism Web Pages

STRAWBERRY
There are two variety of strawberry available, red and white. Strawberry allergy is caused by eating red
variety. The color red is due to a natural protein present in this variety. Researchers consider this protein is
responsible for causing strawberry allergy in hypersensitive persons. The immune system in such individuals
recognizes this color giving protein as foreign and harmful substance. It initiates an allergic response
producing various signs and symptoms.
Causes:
Strawberry allergies are caused when our body’s immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in
strawberries as harmful and reacts to them. This reaction of the immune system to protect our body results
in various allergic symptoms. Scientists have recognized a protein in strawberries which may be responsible
for triggering allergies. This protein is associated with the red color of the strawberries. Due to this reason,
scientists report that white strawberries may be safer for people with strawberry allergies. The allergycausing
protein in strawberries is similar to the allergy-causing protein in the birch pollen. Hence, if you
have birch pollen allergies, you may be allergic to strawberries as well.
Symptoms and Complications
Symptoms of allergy to strawberries include
• Itching, tingling, swelling of lips and tongue.
• Itching in eyes.
• Sneezing and running nose.
• Urticaria, itching all over body.
• Skin rash.
• Diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
• Asthma like symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty in breathing, cough.
• Anaphylactic shock which is very rare, but it is life threatening and requires immediate medical
attention.
Treatment:
The main thing is to avoid contact with the allergen. So, dietary modification is necessary to exclude
strawberries. Other useful treatments include:
Nasal sprays, including antihistamines and topical steroids, for allergic rhinitis.
Eyedrops – olapatadine, ketotifen, levocabastine and ketorolac for allergic conjunctivitis.
For asthma, take inhaled corticosteroids and inhaled beta agonists.
Take oral steroids for moderate allergic symptoms, with skin conditions or asthma.
Desensitization to get used to the allergen.
In case of anaphylactic reaction, hospitalization may be necessary.
Salt water gargling is an effective method if your tongue feels swollen.

Species Allergen Biochemical name
MW(SDS-
PAGE)
Food
Allergen
Entry Date
Modified Date
Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
Fra a 1
Pathogenesis-related
protein, PR-10
18 Yes
2010-04-29
16:57:55
0000-00-00
00:00:00
Fra a 3
Non-specific lipid transfer
protein 1
10 Yes
2010-04-29
16:57:55
0000-00-00
00:00:00
Fra a 4 profilin 13 Yes
2010-04-29
16:57:55
0000-00-00
00:00:00
Fra a1:
Allergen name: Fra a 1
Lineage:
Source: Plantae Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Species: Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
Biochemical name:
Pathogenesis-related protein, PR-10
MW(SDS-PAGE): 18
Food allergen:
Yes
+/- Isoallergen and variants GenBank Nucleotide UniProt PDB
Fra a 1.0101 AY679601 Q5ULZ4

Fra a3:
Allergen name: Fra a 3
Lineage:
Source: Plantae Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Species: Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
Biochemical name: Non-specific lipid transfer protein 1
MW(SDS-PAGE): 10
Food allergen:
Yes
+/- Isoallergen and variants GenBank Nucleotide UniProt PDB
Fra a 3.0101 AJ315844 Q8VX12
Fra a 3.0102
DQ066728
Fra a 3.0201
DQ066727
Fra a 3.0202
DQ066731
Fra a4:
Allergen name: Fra a 4
Lineage:
Source: Plantae Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Species: Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)

Biochemical name:
profilin
MW(SDS-PAGE): 13
Food allergen:
Yes
+/- Isoallergen and variants GenBank Nucleotide UniProt PDB
Fra a 4.0101