Have you ever felt itching or swelling in your throat or mouth after eating certain foods? If yes, you may suffer from Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS). Oral allergy syndrome is a food allergy that mostly affects individuals already suffering from different allergies. Though its symptoms are relatively mild, they can still be uncomfortable and potentially affect your quality of life. However, by understanding what meals can set it off, you can avoid them and enjoy a comfortable dining experience.
What is Oral Allergy Syndrome?
Oral allergy syndrome is an allergic reaction to foods, including vegetables, fruits & nuts. Your tongue, throat, mouth, and lips are the most affected areas by this food allergy.
It is sometimes called pollen-food allergy syndrome, resulting from cross-reactivity to plant pollen (like grass or weed, grass or tree pollen). It also occurs in people suffering from asthma, hay fever & other pollen allergies. It is found that 47-70% of people suffering from OAS are pollen allergy patients. Adults are affected more than children.
Usually, it is not serious for many people and causes minor swelling or itching. But 2% of people with OAS experience a severe allergic reaction called Anaphylaxis, which makes breathing difficult and can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome
The symptoms quickly start appearing once you have eaten trigger food. It includes:
- Bumps on lips or mouth
- Itching or swelling in your mouth, tongue, lips, or throat
Less common symptoms that affect your other body parts include:
- Nausea
- Hives
- Anaphylaxis & other severe reactions (rarely occurs)
Meals Causing Oral Allergy Syndrome
Nuts, vegetables & fruits cause OAS. These food have proteins resembling pollen protein, so your body reacts similarly to plant, grass, or tree allergens. Your body reacts to which food depending on what allergy you have. It is also seen that many patients suffering from OAS have no effect if they eat the same veggie or fruit in cooked form. This is because the cooking process changes the food protein enough that the immune system no longer recognizes it as the same as pollen.
OAS Food List
The following are grouped meals, relying on their affiliation with specific pollen allergies:
- Grass Pollen Allergy
- Melons
- Oranges
- Kiwi
- Potatoes
- Swiss Chard
- Tomatoes
- Gluten Grains
- Apples
- Bananas
- Celery
- Peaches
- Cherries
- Carrots
- Avocados
- Apricots
- Coriander
- Beans
- Anise Seeds
- Almonds
- Fennel
- Caraway
- Hazelnuts
- Prunes
- Strawberries
- Kiwi
- Parsley
- Soy
- Parsnips
- Chicory
Ragweed Pollen Allergy
- Bananas
- Cantaloupe
- Artichoke
- Zucchini
- Watermelon
- Cucumber
- Honeydew
- Chamomile
- Echinacea
- Dandelions
Alder Tree Pollen Allergy
- Apples
- Cherries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Celery
- Pears
- Peaches
- Almonds
- Parsley
- Hazelnuts
Mugwort Pollen Allergy
- Coriander
- Fennel
- Carrots
- Peppers
- Sunflower Seeds
- Parsley
Meals which have been linked to several sorts of pollen allergies
- Pomegranates
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Pineapples
- Mangoes
- Figs
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Watermelon
- Grapes
A selected pollen allergy doesn’t have to signify you are delicate to all meals in that class. For instance, if an individual is allergic to birch tree pollen, he/she can develop sensitivity to solely two to three meals in this class.
Diagnosis
Skin prick test & food challenge test are used for diagnosing oral allergy syndrome.
Treatment of Oral Allergy Syndrome
In most cases, it does not require any medical treatment. The best thing is to avoid offending food by cooking or peeling it.
Your doctor may prescribe you over-the-counter allergic pills such as antihistamines or injections of epinephrine.
Prevention
The best way to prevent OAS is to avoid foods that trigger it. Other preventive measures may include:
- Heating changes the protein in food, and you have less chance of reacting to allergen protein. You can consume sauces, cooked food, and pasteurized juices.
- Seasonal allergies get worse in summer, spring or fall. Avoid using such foods that trigger OAS.
- Taking allergic medicines daily helps many people to avoid allergic reactions.
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) help your body react minimally to allergens as the increased amount of allergen is administrated.
