An allergic reaction to pineapple can be triggered by eating a small amount of the fruit or drinking pineapple juice. You may even have an allergic reaction from touching pineapple.

Allergic reactions to fruits, including pineapple, are less common than allergies to other foods, but they can be serious when they occur.

The most common food allergies include:

nuts (tree nuts and peanuts)
wheat
milk
fish
soy
shellfish
eggs

You may have the symptoms of a pineapple allergy immediately after being exposed to the fruit, or it could take up to several hours for your first symptoms to appear.

Intense itching and hives are often the first symptoms of an allergic reaction. Hives may show up on one or more places on your body.

You may also have digestive symptoms, including stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These digestive symptoms are your body’s way of trying to rid itself of the allergen.

In addition to digestive symptoms, pineapple allergy symptoms can include:

swelling of the face, tongue, throat, and lips
difficulty breathing
flushing of the face
intense itching or hives
constipation
sinus congestion
metallic taste in the mouth
dizziness
fainting
anaphylactic shock

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help if you have difficulty breathing or think you may be going into anaphylactic shock.

In one study from 1993, 20 out of 32 people who tested positive for pineapple allergy went into anaphylactic shock after eating the fruit.

If you have a pineapple allergy, you should avoid both canned and fresh pineapple. You also shouldn’t drink pineapple juice if you’re allergic to pineapple.

Pineapple may also lurk in other foods. Some of these products include:

canned fruit salad or cocktail
pineapple salsa
pineapple rum
pineapple jam
fruitcake
banana bread
pineapple soda or soft drinks
tropical fruit punch
tropical alcoholic beverages, such as margaritas and piña coladas
fruit candies

Make sure to check the ingredient labels on food before you buy it to make sure it doesn’t contain pineapple. Also, when you eat out at restaurants, let your server know that you have a pineapple allergy. This will help you avoid accidental exposure to the fruit.

Pineapple enzyme may also be an ingredient in skin care products, such as soap and face cream. You should always check the ingredient list and not use the product if you have any doubt about what’s in it.