Raspberry Allergy: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
AllergiesFood Allergies

What Causes a Raspberry Allergy and How to Treat It

What Causes a Raspberry Allergy and How to Treat It
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Updated on October 22, 2025
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Ever get a scratchy throat or itchy tongue after tucking into some juicy berries? Well, a raspberry allergy may be to blame.

That's right — though berries aren't among the most common food allergens (milk, soy, nuts and shellfish are some of the more typical culprits), you can be allergic to raspberries.

To help you get to the bottom of your symptoms after snacking on a bowl of berries, here's everything you need to know about allergic reactions to raspberries.

What Is a Raspberry Allergy?

A raspberry allergy is a type of oral allergy, according to Stanford Health Care. Oral allergy syndrome can occur if you're already allergic to pollen and your symptoms get triggered by certain nuts, fruits and vegetables — including raspberries.

So, what is in raspberries that triggers a pollen allergy? Though raspberries don't necessarily contain the pollen you're allergic to, your body can still mistake the fruit as something harmful and prompt an allergic reaction, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Raspberry Allergy Symptoms

If you are indeed allergic to raspberries, you'll likely start experiencing symptoms soon after you snack on the fruit, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Common signs of an oral allergy include:

  • Itching, swelling or tingling mouth, lips, tongue or throat
  • Bumps on your lips or mouth
  • Nausea
  • Itching, redness or swelling of your skin when you touch certain raw foods
  • Hives or rash

In extreme cases, you could have a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, where your throat closes up and makes it difficult to breathe, according to Mayo Clinic. Seek medical care immediately if this happens to you.

Raspberry Allergy Rash

While the exact appearance of a raspberry rash can vary based on the severity of your symptoms, hives usually look like red or flesh-colored bumps with clear edges. They can also come and go quickly and appear anywhere on your body.

Raspberry Allergy Causes and Risk Factors

If you're already allergic to pollen, then you're at higher risk for also being allergic to foods like raspberries, according to Cleveland Clinic. That's because your body might react to certain foods the same way it reacts to pollen.

You also might be at higher risk for a raspberry allergy if you're allergic to other plants that belong to the Rosaceae family, according to a February 2017 article in ‌‌Molecular Biology and Evolution.‌

Foods to Avoid With a Raspberry Allergy

Raspberries are a member of the Rosaceae plant family. There are other fruits in this family that could likewise trigger an allergic reaction, including:

  • Pears
  • Peaches
  • Cherries
  • Apples
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries

If you notice that you also have a reaction to any of these foods, visit your doctor to determine if you have an allergy to multiple fruits.

Other Fruit Allergies

If you're wondering why you are suddenly allergic to kiwi or why you're having an allergic reaction to elderberry, there's no evidence to link a raspberry allergy to these fruits.

Visit your doctor if you suspect you have additional allergies, and they can help identify which foods you should avoid.

How to Manage a Raspberry Allergy

The best way to avoid an allergic reaction to raspberries is to stop eating the fruit altogether. But in the event that you eat raspberries, here are some common treatment options that can ease or prevent your symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic:

  • Over-the-counter antihistamine medications
  • Epinephrine shots (this treatment is for severe allergic reactions only)
  • Immunotherapy allergy shots

Other tips to help you keep allergic reactions at bay include:

  • Cooking raspberries before eating them
  • Avoiding raspberries when your seasonal allergies are acting up

Can Raspberries Cause Red Stool?

Typically, raspberries don't cause red stool. But other red foods — like cranberries, beets or foods that are dyed red — can cause this color change.

How to Diagnose a Raspberry Allergy

If you suspect you're allergic to raspberries, start by visiting your doctor. According to Cleveland Clinic, an allergist can run a few tests to confirm a diagnosis. This might include a skin test, where your doctor will scratch your skin with certain allergens to see if you have a small reaction.

Your doctor could also give you a ‌food challenge test, where you’re given progressively larger amounts of raspberries to see if you have a reaction.

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Jon E. Stahlman, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jon E. Stahlman, MD, has been a practicing allergist for more than 25 years. He is currently the section chief of allergy and immunology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta's Scottish Rite campus and the senior physician at The Allergy & Asthma Center in Atlanta. He served as the president of the Georgia Allergy Society, has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and was listed as a Top Doctor by Atlanta magazine. His research interests include new therapies for asthma and allergic rhinitis as well as the use of computerized monitoring of lung function.

He received his bachelor's and medical degrees from Emory University. He completed his pediatric residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and his fellowship in allergy and clinical immunology at Harvard University’s Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. After his training, Dr. Stahlman conducted two years of clinical research at Boston Children’s Hospital and was part of the faculty at Harvard Medical School, where he taught medical students and allergy and immunology fellows.

Stahlman is board-certified and recertified in allergy and clinical immunology. He served as a principal investigator on phase 2 through 4 studies that are responsible for most of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved therapies for allergies and asthma available today.

Outside of the office, he centers his interests around his wife and three daughters, coaching soccer for many years, and his hobbies include cycling and triathlons.

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Kathleen Ferraro

Author

Kathleen Ferraro is a writer and content strategist with a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School and nearly a decade of experience in health, wellness, and science storytelling across editorial, creative, and marketing roles. She specializes in mental health, sleep, and women's health content, blending evidence-based health reporting with person-first storytelling. She has served as a health editor at Livestrong.com and currently works as a freelance content strategist for health brands including Peloton, Everyday Health, and Verywell Health.

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