Foods don't cause allergic rhinitis, but certain fruits and vegetables can trigger hay fever symptoms in the mouth and throat, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is a chronic allergic condition that is related to airborne substances, such as pet dander, pollen, dust or mold. The condition affects most people during the spring and summer months when most pollen and mold spores are at their peak. If you've been diagnosed with hay fever, discuss the possibility of oral allergy syndrome with a health-care professional.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Oral allergy syndrome is a condition that causes itching and scratching in the mouth and throat because of cross-reactivity between certain proteins in fruits and vegetables and pollens. Cross-reactivity occurs when your immune system mistakes the proteins in the food as a particular pollen. Most people with this condition are individuals who are diagnosed with asthma or hay fever. Symptoms are typically worse during the spring and summer, when allergic rhinitis is the most prevalent. Oral allergy syndrome is not the same as a food allergy and needs to be evaluated by your physician.
Foods
Certain fruits and vegetables can cause similar symptoms to allergic rhinitis, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. If you're allergic to latex, avoid eating bananas, kiwi, chestnuts and papaya. Certain grass pollens may cross-react with celery, melons, peaches, tomatoes and oranges. Ragweed pollen may be confused with bananas, melons, cucumber, dandelions, zucchini and chamomile. If you're allergic to birch, you may develop hay fever symptoms after eating peppers, parsley, pears, peaches, apples, cherries, plums, prunes or carrots. If you develop hay fever symptoms after eating other foods, talk with your doctor.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically appear quickly after eating the fruits and vegetables and are isolated to the mouth. You may develop itching or swelling in the mouth, throat and lips. Oral allergy syndrome rarely causes itching in the ears or eyes, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Digestive systems, skin rashes on other parts of the body and asthma-like symptoms are not related to oral allergy syndrome and may be a sign of a food allergy.
Consideration
Participate in allergy testing to determine the cause of your symptoms. If you're allergic to pollen, avoid exposure to the outdoors during the springtime. If you're allergic to a specific food, eliminate it from your diet. Certain fruits and vegetables may not cause symptoms after being cooked.
