If your toddler develops itchy, red skin around her mouth after eating certain fruits and vegetables, she may be experiencing oral allergy syndrome. Certain foods can trigger an allergic reaction related to hay fever, or seasonal allergies. Oral allergy syndrome is not a food allergy. It is a condition where the symptom confuses the proteins in certain fruits and vegetables with pollens. Your toddler's pediatrician may recommend avoidance of certain foods or he may recommend immunotherapy treatment.
Hay Fever
Hay fever, or seasonal allergies, is a common condition that can affect anyone at any age. It is an allergic condition related to airborne allergens, such as mold, pet dander, pollen and dust mites. During the spring and summer, when pollen and mold spore counts are high, your child may develop symptoms after eating certain foods. Hay fever symptoms include: itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, postnasal drip, congestion and a sore throat, according to MayoClinic.com.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Oral allergy syndrome typically develops during hay fever season and causes itchiness in the mouth, throat or lips, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylactic Network. Your toddler may be able to eat certain fruits and vegetables during the winter months without any symptoms, but once spring comes, the symptoms appear. This condition can affect anyone and symptoms typically begin within minutes of eating the fruit or vegetable. Oral allergy syndrome symptoms will not cause any other symptoms, such as skin rashes, asthma or digestive issues. If these symptoms develop, call your toddler's doctor.
Fruits and Vegetables
The type of pollen your toddler is allergic to will determine which fruits and vegetables she may develop oral allergy syndrome to. If your child is allergic to birch, he may experience a reaction from peas, peaches, apples, prunes, carrots, peppers, almonds and walnuts. If the toddler is allergic to certain grass pollen, he may want to avoid tomatoes, organs, peaches and melons. Ragweed is a common pollen that the immune system can confused with chamomile, bananas, zucchini and melons, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Treatment
Treatment for seasonal allergies related to food in toddlers is to avoid exposure to airborne allergens that trigger the reaction and to avoid foods that may trigger oral allergy syndrome. Your child's doctor will determine the best treatment approach. Allergy shots have been effective at treating hay fever and oral allergy syndrome, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylactic Network. Allergy shots expose the body to a tiny amount of the allergen in order to build up an immune system tolerance.
