GUAVA ALLERGY
Key Allergens
Guava is in the Myrtaceae family of plants. Other plants in this family include cloves, allspice and eucalyptus.
Guava fruit has been linked to Latex Allergy, the exact allergen which causes this link is not currently known.
Guava is a less common food allergy, there are no recorded allergens for guava by the World Health Organization (WHO), because there have not been enough study into allergic effects from this food. If you are interested in what is needed by the WHO before they add an allergen to their allergen database you can check that out HERE.
Guava fruit has been linked to Latex Allergy, the exact allergen which causes this link is not currently known.
Guava is a less common food allergy, there are no recorded allergens for guava by the World Health Organization (WHO), because there have not been enough study into allergic effects from this food. If you are interested in what is needed by the WHO before they add an allergen to their allergen database you can check that out HERE.
Food Intolerances
Guava fruit is high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.
You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.
Associated Syndromes
Allergy to guava is linked to allergic contact dermatitis, especially for those who are already sensitised to latex.
Guava allergy is linked to Latex Food Syndrome. This is where someone who has already been sensitised to latex has allergic reactions when eating foods that are linked with latex allergy.
Guava allergy is linked to Latex Food Syndrome. This is where someone who has already been sensitised to latex has allergic reactions when eating foods that are linked with latex allergy.
Cross Reactivity
Foods linked to latex allergy are those containing hevein or hevin like proteins and include apricot, beetroot (leaves), cassava, dill, goji berry, potato, swede and turnip.
Chitinase proteins are also linked to latex allergy, foods containing chitinase which have not already been mentioned are avocado, banana, cashew nut, chestnut, coffee, corn, kiwi, mango, pomegranate and tamarind.
Note that these food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Chitinase proteins are also linked to latex allergy, foods containing chitinase which have not already been mentioned are avocado, banana, cashew nut, chestnut, coffee, corn, kiwi, mango, pomegranate and tamarind.
Note that these food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
Anaphylaxis Campaign - Allergy to Fruit
ATP Science - Salicylate Foods
Articles and Journals
Psidium guajava: An Insight into Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology, 2024
Plant Food Dyes with Antioxidant Properties and Allergies—Friend or Enemy? 2023
Jackfruit Anaphylaxis in a Latex Allergic Non-Healthcare Worker, 2021
Latex Allergy: An Update, 2003
Allergic contact dermatitis due to guava tea, 2002
''Latex-fruit syndrome": frequency of cross-reacting IgE antibodies, 1997
Allergy to latex, avocado pear, and banana: Evidence for a 30 kd antigen in immunoblotting, 1995
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