• Allergies

What is Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Most people either experience seasonal allergies themselves or know someone who does. Those with seasonal allergies are more likely to experience allergies to certain foods, plants, and other allergens.

As you age, foods you once enjoyed may start to give you a different sensation when you eat them. Health experts believe there may be a connection between the types of seasonal allergies you have and certain foods. 

Oral allergy syndrome — also known as pollen food allergy syndrome — occurs when people with seasonal allergies react to raw fruit, vegetables, and some tree nuts. Most people may not even realize they have it. People with birch, alder trees, grass, mugwort, or ragweed pollen allergies may develop reactions to certain foods.

Is Oral Allergy Syndrome Seasonal?

While oral allergy syndrome is associated with seasonal allergy symptoms, it can still occur at any time during the year. Pollen count can fluctuate at different times of the year. For some people, being in wooded areas during the winter may still trigger allergy symptoms. You may also experience more symptoms when interacting with dust year-round.

For example, someone with a severe pollen allergy may also have an allergic reaction when eating apples and other raw fruits. A birch allergy is one of the most common pollen allergies that triggers oral allergy syndrome. While some foods may trigger certain people but not others, you may feel itchiness from an allergy while eating certain fruits and vegetables at any time of the year.

What are the Symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome?

When an allergic reaction occurs, many symptoms are felt in the throat, lips, tongue, and around the mouth. While anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) can occur as a result of this allergic reaction, it’s not as common with OAS. Most of the symptoms experienced are mild.

During an allergic reaction, you may feel the following symptoms:

• Itchiness

• Swelling

• Hives

• Irritation

• Runny nose

• Watery eyes

• Vomiting

Be sure to seek emergency medical attention if you have a reaction that makes it difficult for you to breathe or causes dizziness.

How to Diagnose Oral Allergy Syndrome

A healthcare provider may offer an allergy test to know whether or not you have OAS. A skin prick test is an allergy test that safely tests allergens on the surface of your skin. Common foods that someone may develop an allergy to later in life include:

• Carrot

• Kiwi

• Melon

• Cucumber

• Almonds

• Celery

How to Treat Oral Allergy Syndrome

Oral allergy syndrome may not disappear, but the condition can be easily managed. If a healthcare provider determines you have a severe allergy, they may give you an epinephrine auto-injector (epi-pen). 

After an allergy test, a healthcare provider can give you a list of allergens to avoid to keep yourself safe from experiencing any symptoms. A lot of allergic reactions can occur from eating the food in its raw form. In some cases, cooking the food may break down proteins that you have an allergic reaction to.

How LifeMD Can Help

Allergies can sometimes come out of nowhere. As we age, our bodies change and may not process certain proteins from foods. At LifeMD, a healthcare provider can help you determine how to best manage allergy symptoms.

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