Fact Sheets

Allergic reactions to Quorn products are usually caused by an allergy to its mycoprotein content – a fungal protein derived from the fungus Fusarium venenatum.

There is more than one type of drug allergy. Here we focus on the rapidly-occurring allergic reactions that cause hives (nettle rash), swelling or anaphylaxis.

If after medical testing and investigation the cause of the reaction is not found, the reaction is then labelled as ‘idiopathic anaphylaxis’ (which means ‘cause unknown’).

For some people, the spores that moulds release into the air can cause allergic reactions.

Chlorhexidine is a chemical antiseptic and disinfectant that is known to cause allergic reactions. This article aims to provide information to help people who are allergic, or think they may be allergic, to this chemical.

Anyone stung by a bee or wasp is likely to suffer a painful swelling at the site of the sting. For most people, the sting is not dangerous.

A vegetable allergy is a type of food allergy. Food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system wrongly identifies a food as a threat. When this happens, the body releases chemicals, such as histamine, in response. It is the release of these chemicals that causes the allergic symptoms.

Edible oils commonly used in the UK can come from many different types of plants and seeds including rapeseed, sunflower seed, soya, maize, palm, coconut and palm kernel. Oils can also be derived from peanuts, sesame and tree nuts (such as walnut). Regulations state that the source of the vegetable oil used must be indicated on the label of pre-packaged foods. It is important to always thoroughly check food ingredient labels.

Allergic reactions to banana vary widely and can include itching of the mouth and throat, an itchy rash (known as hives or urticaria) and swelling of the skin (known as angioedema). In rare cases, there can be narrowing of the throat, wheezing and even collapse. In most cases, symptoms begin within seconds or minutes of eating the fruit.