Imagine that you are eating an apple you love. But as soon as you put it in your mouth, your mouth, lips, and tongue start to itch and feel numb. Or maybe you eat a delicious banana and your tongue swells up. Have you ever had this happen to you? If so, you may have an allergy that many people don't know about, but is very common. We call this Oral Allergy Syndrome, or Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome.
Why is this happening? Let's understand it simply.
This is a bit of a surprise. This allergy is caused by a little glitch in your immune system. Simply put, if you have a seasonal allergy to pollen, your body recognizes the proteins in that pollen as an "enemy."
Now the problem is, the proteins in some raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts are very similar to the proteins in those pollens.
So when you eat something like this, your immune system can't tell the difference between the two. It thinks that pollen has entered your body. As a result, it starts fighting against that "enemy." The result of this fight is that you feel that itchy, tingling, and swollen feeling in your mouth, lips, tongue, and throat.
These symptoms usually appear within a few minutes of eating, but can sometimes take up to an hour.
Many people have this but don't know it.
This condition is more common than you might think. But many people don't know they have it. Some people know they feel uncomfortable when they eat certain foods, but they don't think it's because they have a pollen allergy.
This is often diagnosed as follows. When someone has allergy tests to see if they have food allergies, the results are negative. This means that they are not allergic to the food. However, tests to pollens (for example, birch pollen, grass pollen) are positive. This is when doctors understand the connection.
This condition is most common in young people and adults , but it can sometimes develop in young children.
What to do if the reaction is severe?
In most cases, the symptoms are not severe and go away quickly. However, very rarely , this can progress to a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis , which can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling like your throat is constricted
- Hives
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
If you experience any of these severe symptoms, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) without delay. This is a medical emergency.
Your doctor can tell you if you are at risk of having this type of severe reaction. If so, he or she may prescribe an auto-injector containing a medicine called epinephrine for you to use in an emergency.
What foods increase allergies? (Trigger Foods)
Depending on the type of pollen allergy you have, the types of foods that can cause you discomfort will also vary. The table below will give you a good idea of this.
| Allergy Source | Potential Trigger Foods |
|---|---|
| Birch pollen | Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Carrots, Coriander, Celery, Cherries, Fennel, Hazelnuts, Kiwi, Nectarines, Parsnips, Peaches, Pears, Peppers, Plums |
| Ragweed pollen | Banana, Cantaloupe, Chamomile Tea, Cucumber, Honeydew, Watermelon, Sunflower Seeds, Zucchini |
| Grass pollen | Celery, cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges, peaches, tomatoes, watermelon |
| Mugwort pollen | Apple, Bell Pepper, Black Pepper, Broccoli, Cabbage, Caraway, Carrot, Celery, Coriander, Fennel, Kiwi, Parsley, Peanuts, Sunflower |
| Latex allergy | Avocado, banana, chestnut, kiwi, papaya |
But keep this in mind. You may not be allergic to every food on this list. You may only have a problem with one or two. Also, if you eat these foods during pollen season, your reaction may be slightly greater.
So do I have to stop eating my favorite fruits and vegetables?
The best and surest way to avoid this condition completely is to avoid the foods that cause you allergies. But there are ways to eat your favorite fruits and vegetables, too.
- Cooking: This is the best solution. When you cook food, the heat breaks down the proteins that cause the allergy. So, eating a cooked apple may not be a problem, but eating a raw apple can cause a sore throat. However, some vegetables, like celery, do not completely eliminate the allergy even when cooked.
- Peeling: Most of these allergenic proteins are found in the skin of fruits or vegetables. Therefore, if you eat them raw, removing the skin can reduce the risk.
- Other methods: You may be able to eat canned, processed, pasteurized, or frozen foods without any problems. However, dried foods may still cause symptoms.
These methods can help reduce your chances of having an allergic reaction, but they can't cure the condition completely. But once you know you have the problem, you can avoid those foods and live a happy and healthy life.
The most important thing is to see your doctor if you have these symptoms, rather than guessing. If necessary, skin tests or food challenges can help determine the severity of your allergy.
Take-Home Message
- Oral Allergy Syndrome is a cross-reaction between pollen allergies and certain raw fruits and vegetables.
- Itching and swelling of the mouth, lips, and tongue are common symptoms. These are usually not serious.
- If you experience severe symptoms (anaphylaxis) such as difficulty breathing and throat tightness, it is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Cooking or peeling foods can reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
- If you suspect you have these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor for proper advice and treatment.
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