If you experience an itchy mouth or throat after eating a certain food, and pollen-induced hay fever finds you sneezing or coughing, oral allergy syndrome (OAS), also known as pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS), may be an issue.
Diagnosing OAS
Proteins found in certain nuts, fruits, and vegetables are very similar to those found in specific pollens. Because of the cross-reactivity that occurs in OAS, the body reacts the same way to an offending food as it does to a triggering pollen source.
OAS is typically diagnosed by an allergist and may then be confirmed through a positive allergen skin test or a blood test for specific pollens.
Experiencing OAS
Symptoms often start within a few minutes of eating a triggering food. Common symptoms include: swollen, itchy, or tingly lips, mouth, face, tongue, or throat; irritated gums; and/or bumps on the mouth or lips.
Less common reactions are hives, rashes, difficulty breathing, and nausea. Itching, swelling, or redness where the raw food touched your face, or came into contact with your hands when peeling or handling it, can also occur.
Mild symptoms tend to dissipate after about 30 minutes of eating or touching the food. Some people have noted their OAS improves or even disappears with time.
Although uncommon, anaphylaxis is possible in those who are highly allergic and experience a systemic reaction.
Strategies on How to Avoid OAS
- Eliminate the triggering food(s) from your diet.
- Avoid raw versions of problematic foods, especially during pollen season. If you're allergic to birch tree pollen, OAS may be triggered by almonds, apples, carrots, hazelnuts, peanuts, and more. If you're allergic to grass pollen, OAS may be triggered by peaches, peanuts, tomatoes, and more. If you've got ragweed allergies, your body may not like zucchini, artichokes, bananas, and certain melons.
- Bake or heat triggering items, since high temperatures break down the proteins responsible for OAS.
- Eat canned or jarred versions.
- Peel the food before eating it; the offending protein often concentrates in the food's skin.
- Allergy shot treatments may help alleviate some symptoms.
- Antihistamines can be used for mild reactions. However, allergists don't typically recommend pre-medicating with an oral antihistamine.
- Some people may have to inject themselves with an EpiPen if severe reactions present.
If you experience mouth itching after eating nuts, see an allergist/immunologist. Even mild oral symptoms can indicate a serious nut allergy.
