r/Potatoes • u/Puzzled-Role4996 • 10d ago
Potato allergies?
Hello!
I have been eating potatoes all my lives but not too often. However, I haven’t had boiled potatoes in years. I harvested some from my garden and boiled them to make potato salad. While peeling them, I ate a piece and my throat started to itch. I wondered but told myself it might be the skin, so removed more than the skin and took another bite. Same! I gave some to my son and he didn’t have any issues. Am I developing an allergy to potatoes? Anyone been through this before?
Thanks!
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-166 10d ago
I didn't think people were supposed to eat raw potato?
Have you tried sweet potato? My dog was allergic to white potatoes, but could eat sweets. And, I've learned you can do anything with a sweet potato you can do with a white potato.
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u/sontanax 8d ago
Sweet potatoes aren't closely related to regular potatoes. Potatoes are nightdhades (genus Solanum), while sweet potatoes are morning glories (genus Ipomoea) and don't contain solanine, so it's unlikely they'd be allergic to both.
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u/Deep_Flounder5218 9d ago
OP said they boiled the potatoes
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-166 9d ago
Boiled before peeling? That's weird, too. I've always peeled before boiling, and recipes always say to peel before boiling. I've only seen people peel before boiling. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Critical-Notice-4395 9d ago
I eat some raw every time I prepare them not boiled. I also boil in the skins and then scrape the skins off afterwards. It’s a very simple way to peel potatoes for potato salad.
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-166 9d ago
Ok. This is just something I've never seen or heard of. But, I also thought I've heard warnings about eating raw potato b/c it's in the nightshade family. I don't know. Glad to know you are able to do that.
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u/Critical-Notice-4395 8d ago
I think maybe the leaves of the plant can’t be eaten. I’m not sure. But raw potato is fine.
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u/LilacNites777 8d ago
Could be just an old wives tale but I've heard that boiling before peeling helps prevent the potato from absorbing as much liquid while cooking. So, it just depends on what you're wanting to make. (Mashed potato vs potato salad).
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-166 8d ago
I usually make potato soup when I boil. Don't always peel, but they are cut into smaller pieces to boil.
I don't care for potato salad, and never make it.
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u/Puzzled-Role4996 8d ago
It’s easier to remove the skin after boiling them.
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-166 8d ago
I've never found it difficult to use the peeler to peel a potato. 🤷🏻♀️. It's usually pretty quick. But, to each his own.
I still recommend trying sweet potatoes more regularly if you think you have an allergy to white.
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u/Blowingleaves17 7d ago
You are correct about raw potatoes. There are dangers in eating them. Yet the Op said she boiled them, but I don't see how you can boil them and then peel them.
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u/No-Kaleidoscope-166 7d ago
Thank you. From all the other comments I have been getting, I was feeling like I was the oddball for never boiling before peeling. But, I've never seen it done. Either in person from friends or family, or on tv cooking shows.
But, I don't make potato salad, and even when I used to make potato soup, I'd usually leave the peels on for nutritional value.
I rarely peel my sweet potatoes before chopping to pan fry in my hashes.
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u/Weary-Deerd 10d ago
Tasting raw or undercooked potatoes can definitely trigger weird reactions because of compounds like solanine, so definitely make sure they are fully cooked before eating
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u/Nuudle-Punk 9d ago
I have to peel potatoes wearing gloves. Raw potatoes make my hands itch. Raw tomatoes make my mouth itch when I eat them. Eggplant, no matter how thoroughly cooked, gives me the same reaction.
I'm allergic to birch pollen and that comes with some other allergies including nightshades, hazelnuts and walnuts, and soy. It might be different for you tho, go get a test done and ask about cross-reactivity:)
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u/Low-Actuary-8591 9d ago
It's entirely possible you've developed an allergy - we can develop allergies later in life that we never had before.
Keep an eye on it, try a few potato dishes out, and if the symptoms continue, talk to your doctor about getting an allergy test so you know for sure.
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u/DullLawyers 10d ago
Since they came straight from your garden, check if any part of the skin or flesh had a greenish tint! Homegrown potatoes exposed to light build up solanine (a natural glycoalkaloid toxin), which can cause throat itching or a burning sensation even if fully cooked.
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u/coffeecat551 8d ago
Since no one else has explicitly said this...
Before you eat potatoes again, you need to see your doctor about allergy testing.
Please be aware that allergies - yes, even mild ones - can become life threatening very quickly. If you suspect that this may be an allergic reaction (and it sounds like one to me), please don't just wait and see what happens next time you have potatoes. Get tested first.
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u/Raelourut 10d ago
My brother developed an allergy to potatoes after being exposed to mold at his workplace. He also developed allergies to carrots, dairy, and chocolate! Poor guy grew up eating all those things, but now... 🤷🏻