Pollen allergies are a hypersensitivity of the immune system to pollens from trees, plants and weeds. If you are allergic to pollen, you may need to avoid certain fruits that can trigger pollen allergy symptoms. Oprah.com states that almost 70 percent of people who suffer from a pollen allergy will develop oral allergy syndrome. Oral allergy syndrome is a condition that causes an itchy or scratchy sensation in the mouth after eating certain fruits and vegetables, according to Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms for a diagnosis.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Oral allergy syndrome occurs when your immune system confuses certain proteins in fruits with pollen. Oral allergy syndrome is not the same as a food allergy and will not cause typically food allergy symptoms. Oral allergy syndrome primarily causes irritation in the mouth, throat, eyes and nose. If you develop any other symptoms, you need to talk with your health-care provider. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia states that cooking certain fruits can prevent common oral allergy syndrome symptoms because the proteins are modified.
Fruits to Avoid
The type of pollen you're allergic to will determine the type of fruits you need to avoid. If you're allergic to ragweed you should avoid cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon and bananas. If you're allergic to birch pollen, avoid pears, cherries, plums, apples, peaches, prunes, kiwi and nectarines. Certain grass pollens may be associated with melons, tomatoes, oranges and peaches. People allergic to mugwort pollen need to avoid apples and kiwi, while people with a alder pollen allergy should avoid cherries, peaches, pears and apples.
Hay Fever Consideration
Hay fever is commonly associated with oral allergy syndrome. Hay fever is an allergic condition that is primarily active during the spring and fall when pollen and mold counts are at their height. If you have been diagnosed with hay fever, your symptoms may be worse during the spring and fall, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Taking an oral antihistamine may help to prevent and treat your symptoms.
Treatment
A common treatment for oral allergy syndrome is sublingual immunotherapy, according to Oprah.com. This treatment uses the same technique as allergy shots but has fewer adverse reactions. During this treatment a small amount of the allergen is placed under you tongue. Slowly your doctor increases the amount of the allergen to desensitize your immune system to the allergen. At the completion of the treatment, you should be able to eat the fruits that once bothered you.
