There are 7 allergens associated with tomato allergy - the main allergen in tomato is Sola l 4 which is similar in shape to the Bet v 1 allergens which can cause oral allergy type symptoms.

Three of the proteins found in tomato are lipid transfer proteins, Sola l 3, 6 and 7. These proteins are panallergens with the potential to cause serious allergic reactions.

Sol l 1 is a profilin protein, these proteins are also panallergens and can cause problems across lots of groups of fruit and vegetables.

Sola l 5 is a plant cyclophilin, which are multi functional proteins.

If you are experiencing an intolerance or sensitivity to tomato ketchup or red sauces rather than raw tomato this can be associated with a salicylate sensitivity or histamine intolerance rather than an allergy to tomato.

You may have Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome if you suffer from tomato allergy with oral allergy symptoms to 3 or more of the foods mentioned in cross reactivity section.

Allergy to tomato is sometimes linked to Celery-Mugwort-Spice Syndrome as the sensitising allergen is a profilin protein called Art v 4, these proteins are also sometimes also called Bet v 2 proteins.

The lipid transfer proteins in tomato may cause problems if you suffer from LTP Syndrome.

To a lesser extent tomato allergy has been linked to Latex Food Syndrome, which is caused by the body confusing the proteins it encounters in food to that of the profilin proteins found in latex to which it is already sensitised.

If sensitised to birch tree pollen you may have Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome and may also react to apple, kiwi, pear, peach, plum, nectarine, apricots, cherries, potato, celery, carrot, parsnip, pepper, dill, cumin, peas, coriander, fennel, hazelnut, walnut, almonds, peanuts, lentils and beans.

If sensitised to grass pollen you may also react to melon, potato, oranges and peanuts.

Common foods involved in LTP allergy include kiwi, strawberries, sunflower seeds, walnut, apple, mulberry, banana, pea, apricot, cherry, plum, almond, peach pomegranate, raspberry, tomato, grape, celery, peanut, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, chestnut, lemon, tangerine, orange, hazelnut, lettuce, lentils, lupin, green bean, pear, mustard, wheat and maize.

Other foods containing plant profilins are kiwi, pineapple, celery, peanut, chilli, watermelon, orange, hazelnut, melon, strawberry, soya, barley, walnut, lychee, lupin, apple, banana, date, cherry, almond, peach, pear, mustard, carrot, aubergine and wheat.

The only other foods to contain cyclophilins are peanuts, but the protein has been acknowledged as an airway allergen in mould, birch tree pollen, dust mites, olive tree pollen and magic mushrooms.

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