Is my boyfriend allergic to mushrooms?

by Stacey
(Brampton, ON)

QUESTION:

Hey there! So, my boyfriend has been experiencing stomach pains lately, and I noticed it usually happens after we have mushrooms in our meals.

We even tested it out with pizza - he loves mushrooms on his pizza but he got those cramps after. Another day we tried a pizza without the mushrooms and he was totally fine. It seems pretty clear that it's the mushrooms causing the problem.

I'm wondering if this is a common allergy or if it's something else? Any insight would be appreciated, thanks!


ANSWER:

Hi, you’re not wrong!

Mushrooms can cause allergic reactions in some people. Common allergic reactions to mushrooms include…

Skin rash: Some people may develop a skin rash after coming into contact with mushrooms, especially if they handle or eat them.

Digestive symptoms: Eating mushrooms can cause digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps in some people.

Respiratory symptoms: Inhaling mushroom spores can trigger respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath in some people.

Anaphylaxis: Although rare, some people may experience a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, rapid pulse, and dizziness.

If you suspect that you may have an allergy to mushrooms, it is important to consult an allergist for proper diagnosis and management of your symptoms.

In your case, it seems your boyfriend is going to have to skip any meals that include mushrooms… which is a bummer, because it sounds like he enjoys them!