Cucumber Allergy Test

£40.00

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Description

Cucumber Allergy Test

Code: f244
Latin name: Cucumis sativus
Source material: Fresh fruit
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Common names: Cucumber, Cuke, Gherkin, Cowcumber

Cucumber is a food which may result in allergy symptoms in sensitised individuals.

Cucumber Allergy Test: Allergen Exposure

Originating in the Himalayas, cucumber has been cultivated by humans for over four centuries. The cucumber is a long, cylindrical, green-skinned fruit which is a member of the gourd family. It has edible seeds surrounded by a mild, crisp flesh.

Today, production is global, with the main cultivation of cucumbers taking place in Britain, China, India, Iraq, Java, Kurdistan, Turkey, and Venezuela.

Cucumber is among the most widely grown vegetables, common in home gardens, on truck farms and as a greenhouse crop. It grows year-round, with the peak crop from late spring to late summer.

The cucumber is used for fresh consumption, or for preservation, marinated with vinegar, salt, or spices. It is known as a gherkin when small and used in preserves and pickles, often with dill-flavoured vinegar.

Some cultivars have significantly higher levels of vitamins A and C. Many people find the fruit to be indigestible: this is due to the high cellulose content. Oil from the seed is used in salad dressings and French cooking.

The leaf juice is emetic and used to treat dyspepsia in children. The fruit may be used as a natural remedy.

The fruit is applied to the skin as a cleansing cosmetic to soften and whiten it. The juice is used in many beauty products.

Cucumber Allergy Test: Allergen Description

One allergen present in cucumber has been characterised, a profilin.

Cucumber Allergy Test: Potential Cross-Reactivity

An extensive cross-reactivity among the different individual species of the genus could be expected, as well as to a certain degree among members of the family Cucurbitaceae, such as watermelon, melon, and cucumber.

An association between ragweed pollinosis and hypersensitivity to Cucurbitaceae vegetables and banana has been reported.

There is cross-allergenicity among celery, cucumber, carrot, and watermelon.

Cross-reactivity was demonstrated among pumpkin, pumpkin seed, muskmelon, watermelon, cucumber and zucchini.

Cucumber Allergy Test: Clinical Experience

Cucumber can induce symptoms of food allergy in sensitised individuals. Oral allergy syndrome and pruritis of the lips, tongue and throat have been reported. Contact with cucumber may result in atopic dermatitis or contact urticaria.

In one Indian study of 24 children analysis for a range of food items found that 21 children with documented deterioration in control of their perennial asthma had IgE antibodies directed at cucumber.

Anaphylaxis due to Cucumber is rare but has been reported.

Cultivation of Cucumber in greenhouses may lead to occupational allergy caused by the vegetable or tetranychus mites living on the plants among other mites.

Other reactions

Contact dermatitis to Cucumber has been reported. Cucumber plants produce elevated levels of phytoalexins in their leaves in response to treatment of powdery mildew with a fungicide. Phytoalexins are important causes of contact dermatitis.

Red spider mite found on carnation, Cucumber and vegetable marrow growing in greenhouses may result in occupational asthma and rhinitis.

High levels of nitrate are found in Cucumbers and may be a risk, especially to young children.