Furry, itchy mouth after a banana, or hives after a smoothie? Banana reactions usually follow one of two routes: through latex or through pollen. Our test checks for IgE antibodies to two single banana proteins, as part of 300 allergens and allergen components including latex, avocado, kiwi and grass pollen, so you can see which route your results point to.
The first route is latex. Mus a 2 is a class I chitinase, a plant defence protein that resembles the latex proteins hevein (Hev b 6.02) and Hev b 11. Mus a 5 is a beta-1,3-glucanase, a type of protein latex also contains. People sensitised to latex often show IgE to banana, and banana is one of the foods named most often in latex-fruit syndrome, together with avocado, kiwi and chestnut.
The second route is pollen. Banana contains a profilin, Mus a 1, a protein found in almost every plant. People with strong pollen allergies, especially to grass or birch, can make antibodies to profilin that also recognise banana. That pattern is usually linked to itching in the mouth only. Mus a 1 is not on the panel, but timothy grass profilin (Phl p 12) is, and it signals whether you carry profilin IgE in general.
Reactions people describe after banana range from itching or tingling of the lips, mouth and throat to hives, swollen lips, stomach cramps and vomiting. They usually start within minutes. People with latex sensitisation tend to describe stronger reactions than people with a profilin pattern.
Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or feeling faint after eating is an emergency. Call 112 (EU) or your local emergency number. Do not wait for a test.
Banana IgE without symptoms is common, especially in people with latex or pollen sensitisation. A positive result shows that your blood recognises banana proteins. It does not tell you that you will react.
If you eat bananas without problems, do not cut them out on the strength of a result. If you have reacted, take the report to a doctor. Seeing banana next to latex, avocado, kiwi and grass profilin helps them place the result.
Your finger-prick sample goes to the lab, which measures IgE to two single banana proteins (molecular components). There is no whole banana extract on the panel. Your lab report gives each a measured value and class, from Negative to Very high. A positive result shows sensitisation, not a clinical allergy. Discuss the result with a doctor before you change what you eat.
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One finger-prick sample checks IgE to 300 allergens and allergen components, from birch and peanut to cat and house dust mite. Post it to the lab, and about 5 days after it arrives you get a value for every one. Our plain-English guide shows you how to read them. €399 in total, €1.33 per allergen.
Two common reasons are latex sensitisation and pollen-related profilin sensitisation. The first often shows up next to avocado and kiwi; the second is usually linked to hay fever. The test shows banana, latex and grass profilin side by side, so a doctor can see which pattern fits.
Often, yes. Banana proteins resemble some latex proteins, so people sensitised to latex frequently show banana IgE. Not everyone with both results reacts to bananas.
Some people report fewer symptoms with cooked banana, as heat can change some proteins. That is not true for everyone. If you have reacted, ask a doctor before trying banana in any form.
