Cross-reactivity

Cross-reactivity

Cross-reactivity may result in someone who is allergic to prawns also being allergic to shrimps, crab and lobster.

Quite often peanut allergic people are also allergic to lupin flour.

Hen's egg is cross-reactive with other eggs.

Cow's milk is cross-reactive with milk from goats and sheep.

Someone with a wheat allergy can also be allergic to rye and grass pollen.

Some cross reactions are less obvious:

An allergy to house dust mites may lead to an allergy to shellfish (molluscs and crustaceans).

An allergy to latex rubber increases your risk of becoming allergic to certain fruits and vegetables.

Those who are allergic to pollen, particularly birch or olive pollen, may develop allergic symptoms when they eat hazelnuts, apple, cherries, pears or carrots.