Why does my tongue itch when I eat pineapple

Research by experts has determined that the consumption of pineapple should be included in a proper diet, because it is very nutritious and refreshing, in addition to its excellent diuretic effects. However, pineapple has certain components that can cause an itching sensation in people, in addition to redness and burning:

Oxalic acid

The presence of oxalic acid can cause itching of the tongue during the intake of pineapple . This acid is also found in chard, beets or other types of ingredients, being the culprit of itching. The exact amount of oxalic acid present in pineapple is unknown, but it has been shown to be the culprit in causing itchiness. The pineapple that generates the most heat is the green one, because it has a higher concentration of oxalic acid and, therefore, generates more reaction on the person’s tongue. If there is a wound on the tongue, the oxalic acid in pineapple can make the situation worse.

Bromelain

Pineapple contains bromelain which is a proteolytic enzyme, that is, it destroys proteins. This substance alters the surface of the tongue due to its effects, causing the sensation of itching, as well as tingling or burning. The reaction produced by bromelain despite being annoying is not dangerous, because the effect arises from the destruction of proteins. It can also produce an itching or burning reaction not only on the tongue, but also on the throat and palate. Bromelain is present in high concentrations in pineapple, especially in the stem.

Allergy to pineapple

It is a reaction that appears when the immune system responds excessively to the components of pineapple, which is not usually something very common. People allergic to pineapple will experience itchy tongue, burning, and swelling . It can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Itching in the mouth.
• Swelling of the face and other parts of the body.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Nausea or vomiting .
• Taste like metal in the mouth.
• Nasal congestion.

Currently there is no solution to avoid the alterations in the tongue that the consumption of pineapple produces, however, there are a series of recommendations that you can take into account during the intake of this healthy and tasty fruit, these are:

• First of all, if you want to reduce the sensation of itching on the tongue when consuming pineapple, you should consider eating the fruit as ripe as possible , because there will be a lower concentration of oxalic acid and therefore less likely to suffer from itchy tongue or to worsen any wound present in the mouth. .
• If the itching persists for several hours and, in addition, you notice swelling or itching in other parts of the face, it is advisable to attend the doctor urgently because it may be due to an allergy. It may be necessary to control the situation with antihistamines or other antiallergics, in addition to carrying out the relevant tests to detect if you have an allergy to this fruit.

If you suffer from any kidney disorder it is important to consult with your doctor if you can consume this fruit, because despite being very good for your health, in this type of disease it can only worsen the condition.

It should be taken into account in people who suffer from kidney disorders, be very careful when consuming this fruit, because in addition to the itching of the tongue due to its components, one of them as is the case of oxalic acid, when consumed with other foods that they are rich in calcium can bind, and create calcium oxalate crystals, which are deposited in the kidneys forming stones, which turn out to be extremely painful and annoying.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my tongue itch when I eat pineapple , we recommend that you enter our Teeth and mouth category .