WHAT IS CROSS-REACTION?
Cross-reaction, or cross-reactivity, is a phenomenon whereby if you react to a particular allergen or substance, you are prone to react to other substances that are closely related to it, biologically or chemically. In true allergy, the immune system has an ability to recognise and produce antibodies to allergens that are related. In food intolerance and chemical sensitivity, the body also seems able to recognise and react to related substances; the mechanisms for this are not known, although one hypothesis is that it is caused by enzyme defects that result in the body being unable to metabolise or detoxify specific (and related) foods or chemicals.
Only some people with allergies and related disorders are prone to cross-reaction, and people who do cross-react do not always do so; they are most susceptible when they are run down, reacting badly to another allergen, or under physical or mental stress. So you should not assume that, because you react to one thing, you will automatically react to closely-related substances. Cross-reaction is not inevitable.
An understanding of cross-reaction is only really useful in three situations, namely where:
• you know already that you cross-react to specific things;
• you have problems in working out a pattern to your reactions and suspect cross-reaction as a cause;
• you have multiple sensitivities and need to know substances are related in order to manage your condition.
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