Peanut butter sandwiches, mangoes, prawns and Caesar salads should not taste spicy — unless they have a hot reputation.
But a group of Australians have revealed they noticed a strange tingling sensation on their tongue or throat when they ate certain foods — only to discover later in life they were actually suffering from a severe allergic reaction.
It’s one of the little-known symptoms of serious allergies many don’t know about.
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Former paramedic Nikki Jurcutz prompted a discussion after she shared an eye-opening story about a little girl who told her mum her peanut butter sandwich suddenly tasted “spicy”.
“This was her way of expressing discomfort, and unfortunately, during her next exposure, she experienced a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis,” the founder of children’s safety organisation Tiny Hearts Education said in an Instagram post.
“Sometimes, young children may not be able to clearly describe their symptoms during an allergic reaction. Instead, they might talk about their food in unusual ways.
“It’s important to pay attention to these subtle cues and descriptions from children, as they might be trying to communicate an allergic reaction in their own way.”
Many parents shared stories about how they discovered their children were suffering from an allergic reaction.
“My youngest used to say the same about eating certain fruits and vegetables. I looked into it, turned out it was a cross pollination reaction because he’s so allergic to many tree pollens,” one said.
Another shared: “Not me saying that bananas, cucumbers, and fruit punch made me feel ‘sad’ as a kid... it was actually an oral allergy reaction to ragweed pollen.”
One recalled: “I had to fight my mum on foods that weren’t right — spicy, numb, hurt or tingly — because, ‘We don’t waste food in this house’.”
Another added: “My now-26-year old would say ‘fireworks in my mouth mummy’. He still knows now by the immediate sensation on his tongue if he’s been exposed to one of the nuts he’s allergic to.”
Some parents pointed out other sentences their children have reported saying when their food tasted strange, including: My tongue feels funny; My throat is tickly; My lips are burning or; My tummy feels funny.
“My daughter at 19 months old could tell us it was ‘spicy’ and spat it out. Being a children’s nurse and working with an immunologist on allergies, I knew immediately,” one mum shared about her daughter’s first symptom.
“But I was impressed she could express this at a young age. Just shy of three she tried her first food challenge in hospital. The nurses thought she just didn’t want to eat the food on second dose but she was refusing because she was feeling sick. They are so in tune.”
It’s not just kids experiencing the “spicy” or “tingly” feeling in their mouths.
Many adults shared how they noticed later in life their food suddenly tasted “spicy”.
“Caesar salad is spicy to me because I’m allergic to the anchovies. But I didn’t discover this until my 20s,” one woman said.
Another revealed: “I am allergic to coconut and used to tell mum it made my ‘mouth furry’ — turns out that was numbness! Makes sense now!”
One said: “My husband literally had the same thing happen to him as an adult. He was eating prawns and thought it tasted spicy. He had suddenly become super allergic to it.”
Many confessed they had gone their whole lives thinking certain foods were meant to taste “spicy”.
“I thought mango was supposed to be spicy... I’m like, ‘Look how cool, it feels like you’re eating glass!’” one said.
Another said: “When I eat a grape, no matter what kind, it could be green or purple... They all have a strange feeling I can only describe as spicy. When I eat green grapes my throat hurts for a while after too.”
One woman warned: “PSA guys, if anything but actual pepper plants taste spicy to you, you may in fact have an allergy. Bananas, potatoes, most fruit and veggies are not supposed to taste ‘spicy’ or ‘tingly’.
“Exceptions are things that have a spicy reputation, like ginger or horseradish (and pineapple).”
Jurcutz said shellfish was the most common allergic reaction she used to attend as a paramedic when she worked for Ambulance Victoria for more than eight years.
“They don’t know why but it is one of those ones that commonly presents in adulthood after eating for ages — so interesting,” she said.
The mum says there are other symptoms of allergies to look out for, including hives, swelling or difficulty breathing.
“Early recognition and response can prevent more severe reactions and keep your child safe,” she said.
Many thanked Jurcutz for sharing an important reminder about allergies to everyone, particularly parents.
“Thank you for shining a light on this. Food allergies affect so many of us and a little knowledge goes a long way,” one said.
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