Fig allergy
Fig allergy, sometimes linked to latex.
About fig allergy
Figs are the sweet fruit of the fig tree (Ficus carica), eaten fresh or dried and widely used in cereals, bars and baked goods. Allergy to fig is uncommon but well recognised, and it is caught by IgE antibodies that the immune system has mistakenly made against certain fig proteins. When these antibodies meet the food they trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals, producing an allergic reaction. Some cases are linked to sensitisation to the latex-fruit group or to airborne exposure to the ornamental weeping fig houseplant.
Symptoms usually appear quickly, within minutes to around two hours of eating. Milder reactions include an itchy mouth, hives, an itchy rash, or tummy upset, while more marked reactions can involve swelling of the lips and face, wheezing or, rarely, anaphylaxis. People allergic to natural rubber latex may notice cross-reactions with fig, and there can be overlap with other fruits such as banana, kiwi and avocado. Dried figs may be tolerated differently from fresh, depending on the individual.
Diagnosis rests on your history backed by skin-prick or specific-IgE testing, and occasionally a supervised food challenge where the picture is unclear. Management means avoiding fig and checking labels on fruit mixes, snack bars and confectionery. Carry any medicines your allergy team advises. A severe reaction, with breathing difficulty, throat tightness or collapse, is a medical emergency: call 999 without delay and use a prescribed adrenaline auto-injector.
Common triggers
- Fig and products containing it
Symptoms
- Itching or tingling in the mouth
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat
- Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
- In severe cases, anaphylaxis
Avoidance & management
- Read ingredient labels every time
- Ask about ingredients and cross-contamination when eating out
- Keep the food out of shared cooking areas
- Carry prescribed antihistamines or an adrenaline auto-injector
- Seek emergency help for any severe reaction
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.