Hives after a glass of wine, or an itchy mouth after a bunch of grapes? Grape reactions are less common than peach or apple, but grape shares its main allergen type with them. Our test checks for IgE antibodies to grape's lipid transfer protein, Vit v 1, as part of 300 allergens and allergen components including peach, cherry and apple.
Grape has two major allergens. Vit v 1 is a lipid transfer protein (LTP). LTPs are sturdy: they survive heat, digestion and processing, so reactions linked to them are not limited to fresh grapes. The other is a chitinase, a plant defence protein that researchers identified as the allergen in some wines.
Grape also contains a minor thaumatin-like protein. Only Vit v 1 is on the panel; the chitinase and the thaumatin-like protein are not.
LTPs look alike across many plants. People sensitised to Vit v 1 often show IgE to peach's Pru p 3, cherry's Pru av 3 and apple's Mal d 3, and sometimes to nut LTPs. LTP sensitisation is more common in southern Europe, but it does occur in Finland, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Not every reaction to wine is grape allergy. Sulphites added as preservatives and histamine in wine can cause flushing, a blocked nose or headaches through other mechanisms. Those are not IgE, and this test does not measure them.
Reactions people describe after grapes or wine include itching of the mouth and throat, swollen lips, hives, stomach cramps and, less often, wheezing. Some people with LTP sensitisation only react when a cofactor such as exercise, painkillers like ibuprofen, or alcohol itself is involved. Symptoms usually start within minutes to two hours.
Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or feeling faint after eating or drinking is an emergency. Call 112 (EU) or your local emergency number. Do not wait for a test.
Your finger-prick sample goes to the lab, which measures IgE to one single grape protein (molecular component). There is no whole grape extract on the panel. Your lab report gives it a measured value and class, from Negative to Very high, next to peach, cherry, apple, hazelnut, walnut and peanut LTPs. A positive result shows sensitisation, not a clinical allergy. Discuss the result with a doctor before you change what you eat or drink.
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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.
Wine reactions often have other causes, such as sulphites or histamine, which are not IgE allergies. IgE reactions to wine are rare and have been linked to a grape chitinase that is not on the panel. The test shows whether your blood recognises grape's LTP, Vit v 1.
Vit v 1 is a heat-stable protein, so drying is unlikely to remove it. If you have reacted to grapes, ask a doctor before eating raisins or sultanas.
Both contain lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) that look alike. Antibodies to one often recognise the other. The test shows grape, peach and other LTPs on one report.
