Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a condition that affects some people who have allergies to specific foods. Because of this, they also have reactions when they eat those same foods again. If you have OAS, you might react within minutes of eating raw fruits or vegetables that trigger your allergies. The most common types of raw produce that trigger OAS are apples, pears, peaches, and tomatoes. However, other fruits and veggies can also cause the same negative effects on your body as well. If you have been diagnosed with OAS, you may be wondering how to get rid of it. There are several treatment options available for those who suffer from this condition. This article will explain what oral allergy syndrome is and its potential causes, as well as list available treatments for managing symptoms and reducing flare-ups.
Does Oral Allergy Syndrome Go Away?
Oral allergy syndrome is the name given to a collection of symptoms that occur in response to eating certain fruits and vegetables. These foods may trigger symptoms due to the presence of similar proteins in them. The foods that commonly trigger symptoms include raw fruits and vegetables in the family Salicaceae (which includes horse-chestnut, hawthorn, and plums), as well as members of the family Amaranthaceae (which includes spinach). Other common foods include birch pollen, celery, ambrosia mallow, mugwort, and photinia.
What Is Oral Allergy Syndrome?
- OAS is a condition that causes an allergic reaction in the mouth and throat. It is caused by eating certain foods that contain proteins that are similar to some of the proteins found in pollen. This can cause a reaction similar to hay fever, or allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
- If you have OAS, you may have initially experienced symptoms upon exposure to plants or plant-related allergens (allergens produced by plants). Exposure can occur through touching plants or inhaling pollen. You may notice symptoms such as itching of your lips, mouth, tongue, and throat after eating raw vegetables or fruits that are related to the pollens that trigger your allergies. The most common pollens that cause OAS is from birch trees, ragweed, and mugwort. Symptoms can occur anywhere from minutes to several hours after exposure to these foods.
- Oral allergy syndrome occurs because of an immune response triggered by certain proteins found in fruits and vegetables related to the pollens that trigger your allergies. For example, if you are allergies that are similar to proteins found in pollens.
- There is no test for oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Your doctor can make a diagnosis based on your health history and a physical examination. However, some people may be tested for pollen allergies before being diagnosed with OAS to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.
- The good news is that OAS is easily treated with over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines and steroid sprays which can relieve your symptoms while you are eating the foods that trigger your allergies. Also, since many of these foods are staple items in the diet, you may want to talk to your doctor about any dietary restrictions or allergy treatments that will help you manage your OAS better long term. Also, keep in mind that some people outgrow their pollen allergies as they get older so you may never have to worry
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome
- The condition can be chronic or acute. Chronic OAS is the result of repeated exposure to the same foods that cause the allergic reaction. This can eventually lead to a desensitization of your immune system to the allergens in these foods, and symptoms will decrease or disappear altogether. On the other hand, acute oral allergy syndrome is caused by first-time exposure to these foods and is usually more severe than chronic OAS. It usually lasts for a shorter period than chronic OAS and individuals will not develop tolerance after repeated exposure like they do with chronic oral allergy syndrome.
- Oral allergy syndrome occurs in approximately 2% of adults and children who have pollen allergies, but it is most common in children under age 5 years old and adults older than 40 years old. There are no gender differences associated with oral allergy syndrome either; both males and females are affected by this condition equally.
- Common foods that cause oral allergy syndrome include:
- Apples (Malus Domestica)
- Pears (Pyrus communis) to birch pollen, your immune system will recognize proteins present in raw apples and other fruits as the same ones that are found in birch pollen. The immune system will then release histamines and other chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms.
- The most common foods that are linked to OAS are raw apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, celery, carrots, and kiwi; although any raw fruits or vegetables can trigger OAS symptoms. Individuals with birch pollen allergies have a higher chance of developing this condition than those with ragweed or mugwort allergies. However, some people who have allergies to these pollens may also experience OAS symptoms as well.
- If you think you may have oral allergy syndrome, you should visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment options. As mentioned above there are several treatment options available for managing the symptoms of OAS. Your doctor may recommend that you avoid eating specific types of fruits and vegetables altogether if they cause severe reactions in your body such as difficulty breathing or swallowing due to swelling of the throat area. Food avoidance is not always necessary if you can manage your reactions by taking medicine before eating a problematic food item or wearing an allergy medical alert bracelet with information about birch pollen, you may react to raw apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, and carrots. The proteins in these fruits and vegetables are similar to the proteins found in birch pollen.
Treatments for Oral Allergy Syndrome
OAS is not a food allergy.
It is a type of food intolerance that causes symptoms similar to allergies. The immune system response that causes OAS is different from the immune response that causes food allergies. Food allergies are more commonly caused by proteins in foods than by the proteins in pollens.
Although OAS can occur at any age
it most commonly occurs in people who are between 20 and 40 years old. It also affects women more often than men and people who have hay fever or asthma more frequently than those who do not have these conditions.
There are two types of OAS:
oral and nasal-oral syndrome (N-OAS). Oral allergy syndrome occurs when you eat raw fruits and vegetables related to your pollen allergies and experience itching of your mouth, lips, or tongue; swelling of your lips; and/or tingling or itching in your mouth within minutes to hours after eating them. N-OAS occurs when you inhale pollen from birch trees, ragweed, or mugwort and experience symptoms such as sneezing and running to birch pollen, you may experience symptoms when you consume raw apples, pears, carrots, and celery.
OAS can be managed by avoiding foods that trigger your reactions.
You may also want to consider taking antihistamines before eating these foods to help reduce your symptoms or the severity of symptoms if they occur after eating them. to hay fever, you may be allergic to birch tree pollens. If you are allergic to ragweed, you may be allergic to mugwort pollens.OAS is a type of food allergy that causes an immune reaction in the mouth and throat. Symptoms can occur anywhere from minutes to several hours after eating foods that contain these proteins related to the pollens that trigger your allergies. The most common fruits and vegetables that cause OAS are apples, pears, peaches, and tomatoes. Other fruits and veggies can also cause the same negative effects on your body as well.
Conclusion
Oral allergy syndrome is a condition that affects some people with allergies. It causes reactions when they eat raw fruits and vegetables that trigger allergies. The most common types of raw produce that trigger OAS are apples, pears, peaches, and tomatoes. Other fruits and veggies can also cause the same reactions. There are several treatment options available for those who suffer from this condition. These include avoiding the raw fruits and vegetables that trigger allergies, wearing protective gear while eating, and taking antihistamine gums.
