OT: What could strawberries, pomegranates, and pineapple have in common?

I have started to notice that strawberries, pomegranates, and pineapples cause a reaction to my face every time I eat them. You can't really see it, but I can feel my cheeks and eye lids get warm. It is weird enough that I decided to ask here and see if anyone might have some clue on what is going on.

I LOVE strawberries, so it wasn't hard to ignore the fact that my cheeks would get warm when I ate them, especially if it was more than about 4. It took me a while, but I finally came to the conclusion after buying myself a little container of strawberries and having some with my lunch every day and realizing that without fail my face would warm up right after I ate them. I thought it was the pesticides so I made sure to wash them really well, but it still happened.

Last week my mom bought some pomegranates and I hate half of one. It was delicious, but half way though the warm cheek sensation came back again. I found it odd and thought maybe it was something in the redness of the fruit that was causing the sensation with both of them since I can eat pretty much any other fruit without a problem.

Finally today one of my co-workers gave me a fresh fruit cup with pineapple in it. After eating a couple of pieces the sensation came back. II had eaten some of the grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon and felt fine. It wasn't until the pineapple went into my mouth that my face immediately started to warm up.

What is up with that? Could it be the acid in the fruit? The sugar content? Or worse yet, that I might be allergic to something? I haven't had any tongue swelling, and as far as I can tell no one can actually see my cheeks get red, it is just me feeling it. Besides it only lasts for about 10 minutes or so after eating the offending fruit. Maybe I am just a freak of nature.

I don't get any stomach aches or problems from any of those fruits. If anyone has any theories of what could be going on I would really appreciate it. I am not losing any sleep over it, but I am just curious. Thanks!

Not real help here, but is there any chance you had taken your vitamins before you ate? I was thinking maybe niacin flush.

Weird, I have no idea.

I had the same question as Bearmom about if you had taken your vitamins recently each time.  If not an allergy, it sounded like niacin flush.

they are all acidic..maybe thats it?

It could be an allergic reaction, they aren't always severe.  Strawberries, pineapple, bananas, kiwi, walnuts, pecans, and a few other things I haven't quite narrowed down yet cause little sore bumps on my tongue and sulfites cause me to flush quite noticably.  I've actually tested as allergic to the items I named specifically, sometimes it happens when I'm eating foods that are a combination of things which makes it difficult to figure out whats causes the reaction.  For the most part I try to avoid those foods, but sometimes give in to the strawberries and pineapple. 

Nancy

Mar, I hate to tell you this, but it sounds to me like a burgeoning food allergy.

As an adult, I have developed several allergies to foods, including mango and pomegranate. The fruit allergies always started off as you describe. They didn't even register as allergies to me at first, I figured it must be something else. Then, upon repeat exposure to the fruit, the allergies got worse. Now, I can't eat them without going into anaphylaxis. 

I recommend paying a visit to an allergist/immunologist and getting a work-up. (Or at least carry some Benadryl with you if you plan to eat those fruits again any time soon.)

Ohh no!! That is what I was afraid to hear. I was hoping for a less drastic thing, like maybe the acidity or something. Especially with strawberries since I love them so much.

I researched niacin flush since everyone mentioned it, but I don't think that is it because I don't take niacin, and also I don't remember taking my vitamins any time close to when I ate the offending fruits.

I went to the allergist about a year ago and they tested me on a bunch of stuff and everything came back negative, but I don't remember if they tested me on fruits. They just said it was a test on the 40 most common allergens including eggs and stuff. I will have to check the paper they gave me and if the fruits aren't on there I might have to go back.

I am really hoping for freak of nature instead of actually allergic.

Not to rain on your parade, but even if you were not allergic last year, I'd get tested again. Allergies can develop at a drop of a hat.

All the foods I am allergic to used to be ones I ate all the time with no problem. I hope that's not it, as it really does suck. :-(