Tomato Allergy and related Symptoms

Most people actually have an intolerance to tomatoes rather than a tomato allergy. Severe reactions to tomato are unusual or rare but can cause anaphylactic shock and death. Many people who have a known tomato allergy or intolerance can actually tolerate well coocked tomatoes with little or no reaction. Other people can consume low acid tomatoes. Tomatoes are considered as part of the nightshade allergy family and also contain a high degree of a natural chemical known as salicylate which is related to aspirin and is a derivative of salicylic acid. Some people can not tolerate any amount of salicylate in their diet.

Possible reaction/symptoms:

Gastro-intestinal problems, acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion, abdominal pain, cramps or vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, burning sensation or tightness of the skin, swelling, urticaria (hives), tingling lips, rashes, Rosacea, dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, oral allergy syndrome, rhinitis or asthma like symptoms, tightening of the chest, difficulty breathing, dizziness, painful joints, headaches and depression and other symptoms. Can either cause or exacerbate arthritic condition. Tomato pollen may trigger rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis. Severe reactions to tomato can cause anaphylactic shock.

Possible Link: Histamine intolerance (HIT), Salicylate intolerance.

Nightshade
Plants include tomatoes, potatoes, aubergines, peppers, chili peppers, tobacco and of course the deadly nightshade Atropa Belladona. Nightshades contain solanine in some form, named as solanine (potatoes), tomatine (tomatoes), alpha-solanine (aubergine) or solanadine (chillies and peppers). They also contain nicotine in small amounts. Nicotine has a synergistic action with solanine as it stimulates the production of acetylcholine (whereas solanine inhibits it). This means that some people may be specifically allergic to tomatoes, but fine with other nightshades.

There are groups of people who cannot tolerate nightshades in their diets. Choosing to avoid them can help alleviate a variety of problems (including mental, emotional and physical). Especially people with arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, cystitis, lupus, gastro esophogal reflux disease.