TOPLINE:

Potato allergies may appear in infancy, typically as skin reactions, and more often with cooked than raw potatoes. Many children with potato allergy eventually were able to eat potatoes without symptoms, data from one center showed.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers described clinical features, diagnostic findings, and outcomes in 43 children (60.5% boys) diagnosed with potato allergy between October 2022 and June 2025 at a pediatric allergy center in Turkey.
• Potato allergy was diagnosed based on clinical history, skin prick tests using raw and cooked potatoes, or measurement of potato-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Oral food challenges were performed when clinically indicated.
• Children were identified as having developed tolerance if they could eat potatoes without experiencing any clinical symptoms under supervision at least 6 months after their first allergic reaction.

TAKEAWAY:

• The children had a median age of 6 months at diagnosis; 76.7% had atopic dermatitis, and 67.4% had at least one other food allergy, such as egg, milk, tree nut, or tomato.
• Overall, 97.7% of children presented with skin involvement and 4.6% developed anaphylaxis. Reactions were more commonly associated with cooked potatoes than with raw potatoes (74.4% vs 25.6%).
• The median potato-specific IgE level was 7.44 kU/L, and 83.3% of those who underwent skin prick testing with raw potato showed positive wheals with a median diameter of 5 mm.
• At the most recent evaluation, 55.8% of children could eat potatoes without any symptoms. 

IN PRACTICE:

“Although tolerance develops in a considerable proportion of patients over time, structured follow-up and periodic reassessment remain essential to ensure safe dietary guidance, prevent unnecessary long-term avoidance, and minimize the risk of unexpected severe reactions,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

Zeynep Gulec Koksal, MD, with Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on April 2 in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.

LIMITATIONS:

The study was retrospective and relied on data from a single center. Not all children could undertake oral food challenges during follow-up.

DISCLOSURES:

The study did not receive any funding. The authors declared having no conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.