Oral allergy syndrome is a type of allergic reaction to foods that can happen in people who are allergic to pollens. Most commonly, people react when they eat fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and sometimes nuts. This can happen because the proteins in these foods are very similar to the pollen proteins a person is allergic to, and the body cross-reacts to them.
Symptoms
The symptoms people typically experience are itching of the lips, itchy mouth or throat, and mild swelling of the lips or tongue. Symptoms start within a few minutes after eating the food. Symptoms can happen year round but are usually worse when pollen levels are high. It is very rare for someone to experience severe anaphylactic symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, hives, or low blood pressure.
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Avoiding the foods that cause symptoms
- Cooking the foods to break down the proteins
- Antihistamines to relieve symptoms
- Allergy shots to desensitize you to the pollen
Cross-Reactivity Patterns
The following patterns show which foods are commonly associated with specific pollen allergies. Having a reaction to one food does not mean you will have reactions from all or any of the other foods in the group.
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Birch Tree Pollen
Peach, apple, pear, plum, strawberry, kiwi, cherry, banana, carrot, celery, avocado, parsnips, potatoes, prunes, coriander, fennel, parsley, hazelnut, almonds, peanuts, and soybean
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Ragweed Pollen
Cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, banana, cucumber, zucchini, green pepper, and paprika
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Timothy Grass Pollen
Tomatoes, oranges, peach, melon, celery, and Swiss chard
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Mugwort Pollen
Peach, carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onion, bell peppers, parsley, fennel, and coriander
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Orchard Pollen
Watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, tomato, white potato, and peanut
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