Some people with environmental allergies may develop itchy, tingly mouth, lips, and throat when they eat certain fresh fruits,
vegetables, and nuts. This is called the oral allergy syndrome, or pollen-food syndrome. Very rarely, the symptoms can be
more severe, to include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, swelling of the throat, and difficulties breathing.
The pollen-food syndrome results from a cross-reactivity between antigens in pollen and the foods. It only occurs with raw,
unprocessed foods. When the food is cooked, processed, or canned, no symptoms develop.
The types of foods that cause the symptoms depend on the type of environmental allergy the person has. For example,
people allergic to birch pollen can develop symptoms when they eat fresh apples, pears, peaches, or apricots. People
allergic to grasses can have problems with watermelon, melon, oranges, tomatoes, kiwi, and peanuts. Ragweed allergic
individuals can also have problems with watermelon and melon, along with honeydew, cantaloupe, cucumber, and zucchini.
What can I do if I have the pollen food syndrome?
First of all, you should see an allergist to make sure that the problem you have with the food is due to the pollen-food
syndrome, and not a severe food allergy. Once confirmed, you might try to peel the fruit. If not, you’ll need to eat food that has
been cooked or canned. Allergy shots for environmental allergies can sometimes make the pollen-food syndrome totally
go away.
vegetables, and nuts. This is called the oral allergy syndrome, or pollen-food syndrome. Very rarely, the symptoms can be
more severe, to include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, swelling of the throat, and difficulties breathing.
The pollen-food syndrome results from a cross-reactivity between antigens in pollen and the foods. It only occurs with raw,
unprocessed foods. When the food is cooked, processed, or canned, no symptoms develop.
The types of foods that cause the symptoms depend on the type of environmental allergy the person has. For example,
people allergic to birch pollen can develop symptoms when they eat fresh apples, pears, peaches, or apricots. People
allergic to grasses can have problems with watermelon, melon, oranges, tomatoes, kiwi, and peanuts. Ragweed allergic
individuals can also have problems with watermelon and melon, along with honeydew, cantaloupe, cucumber, and zucchini.
What can I do if I have the pollen food syndrome?
First of all, you should see an allergist to make sure that the problem you have with the food is due to the pollen-food
syndrome, and not a severe food allergy. Once confirmed, you might try to peel the fruit. If not, you’ll need to eat food that has
been cooked or canned. Allergy shots for environmental allergies can sometimes make the pollen-food syndrome totally
go away.
AllergyExpert.US
Pollen-Food Syndrome
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