Hay Fever Fruit Allergy

Oral allergy syndrome OAS also called pollen-food syndrome PFS is when your body confuses the proteins in certain raw foods with pollen and unleashes an immune response cross-reactivity.

Hay fever fruit allergy. Oral allergy syndrome is an unusual type of food allergy because the body is really responding to pollen proteins rather than food molecules. In contrast in the systemic symptom group the prevalence of pollen allergies was 24 and 77 of patients showed allergic reaction to a single fruit only. In this condition Hay fever patients sensitised to pollen develop oral allergic symptoms to certain stone fruits and vegetables.

People generally develop OAS after being exposed to pollen grains and suffering from hay fever for years as I did. While its true that a garden in full bloom during the spring and summertime can bring joy and have a positive effect on our well-being it may not always be the case for people who suffer from hay fever. People with seasonal allergic rhinitis which affects one in five Americans know that when the pollen count rises in the spring and fall theyll be tormented by chronic sneezing a stuffy or runny nose watery eyes and sleep problems.

OAS is connected to environmental allergies such as hay fever. The symptoms which are usually mild and go away on their own after a few minutes are an extension of hay fever. Some of the children having abdominal pain headache migraine caused by these fruits.

The link between hay fever and OAS University of Western Sydney immunology and allergy professor Connie Katelaris said OAS also referred to as pollen fruit syndrome is caused by cross-reacting allergens found in pollen and raw food. Oral allergies occur in up to 40 of all Hay fever sufferers who are allergic. These symptoms can also be caused by dust mites and mold.

As mentioned above not everyone with hay fever develops oral allergy syndrome. Children who are suffering from other allergic conditions like eczema or hay fever are more prone to fruit allergies then children who dont have any allergy. And while pollens found in hay can be a trigger for allergic rhinitis its not exclusive.

In the oral symptom group the prevalence of hay fever was 54 and 66 of patients showed aller- gic reaction to multiple fruits. Itchy lips mouth tongue throat and occasionally ears. The road to health usually means eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.