Some people with dust mite allergies may develop cross-reactivity to certain foods, such as shrimp and snails, which can worsen allergy symptoms. (1)

However, cross-reactivity with food is less common in people with dust mite sensitivity than with other allergens, such as pollen. (1)

It's important to note that these foods may be triggers, and not everyone with dust allergies will have the same reaction.

That said, here are 5 foods you may want to eat with caution if you have dust allergies:

1. Shellfish

People with dust mite allergies may have an allergic reaction when they eat shellfish such as shrimp, crab, and lobster.  Dust mites are indoor allergens that thrive in warm humid environments and can cause allergies year round.

Some experts believe this reaction is due to a protein called tropomyosin, which is found in both dust mites and shellfish (especially shrimps). (2)

If your immune system makes an antibody against tropomyosin when exposed to dust mite allergens, then when you eat foods like shrimp, your immune system may recognize that protein as equally dangerous and attack it, causing allergic symptoms. (3)

2. Snails

Just as in shrimps, some studies show that there is also a cross-reactivity between house dust mites and snails, but not to the same degree as in shrimps and other shellfish. (4)

Snails and house mites are both invertebrates (animals without a backbone) and may therefore share similar proteins. 

As a result, your immune system may mistake them for each other. If you notice increased allergy symptoms after eating snails and other mollusks such as clams, oysters, and mussels, you should consult a doctor.

3. Contaminated flour products

Eating flour products and grains contaminated with dust mite droppings, such as pancakes, bread, and pastries, can also trigger an allergic reaction. (5) This is sometimes called pancake syndrome or oral mite anaphylaxis.

In this case, it's not cross-reactivity, but rather your body reacting to the dust mites in the flour, not the flour itself.

If you experience an allergic reaction after eating a flour-based product, especially wheat flour, you may want to check whether you are storing the flour properly, ideally in the refrigerator at low temperatures. (5, 6,7)

4. High Histamine foods

Some foods, such as aged cheese, wine, fermented foods, spinach, and cured meats, are high in histamine, which may worsen an allergic reaction in people already sensitive to house dust allergens. (8) This is sometimes referred to as histamine intolerance and is different from cross-reactivity, as seen with shrimp and snails.

Histamine is a natural chemical released by the body's immune system to help defend against foreign invaders. While histamine is generally helpful, when it detects an allergen, it fights against it and this allergic response can trigger allergic symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes or a stuffy nose.

High-histamine-releasing foods may appear to worsen allergy symptoms in allergy patients because they can increase histamine levels in the body, the same chemical your immune system releases when reacting to allergens like dust mites. (9)

5. How to Tell If You’re Reacting to These Foods

If you have a dust mite allergy, you may be reacting to shrimp, snails, and high-histamine foods if you notice the following symptoms after eating them:

• Itchy mouth or throat

• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face

• Hives or skin rash

• Stomach pain

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Difficulty breathing (rare)

However, the sure way to know if you have an allergic reaction to certain foods is to do an allergy test. Keeping a food allergy diary and noting any symptoms you experience can help.

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That said, if you notice difficulty breathing after eating any food, seek medical attention immediately.

Take Control of Your Dust Mite Allergy Symptoms with Quello Allergy Drops

If you have food allergies due to dust mite allergies, allergy treatments like Quello drops, a form of allergen immunotherapy, can retrain your immune system to respond better to dust mite allergens. 

Over time, your immune system will generate less severe reactions on exposure to dust mites, and you may be able to enjoy your favorite foods without worsening allergy symptoms.

To get started, Quello offers a free allergen test to find out exactly what you are reacting to.  After a free test to confirm dust mites as your allergen trigger, our team will formulate a personalized allergy drop containing carefully controlled doses of dust mite allergen.  

Start overcoming your allergies.

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