An itchy mouth from an eggplant may be related to hay fever. Hay fever is a chronic allergic condition that is primarily triggered by pollen and mold during the springtime. MSNBC reports that recent studies have shown a connection between eating some fruits and vegetables and hay fever symptoms, primarily in the mouth. Oral allergy syndrome occurs because your immune system mistakes certain proteins in the eggplant as a type of pollen and releases histamine to defend the body. Histamine is the chemical that is primarily responsible for allergy symptoms. Stop eating eggplant until you can be seen by your doctor.
Hay Fever
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic condition that causes cold-like symptoms when you're exposed to pollen. Common symptoms of hay fever include nasal congestion, eye irritation, a runny nose, throat irritation and postnasal drip, according to MayoClinc.com. During the spring and summer months, trees, weeds and grasses produce excessive amounts of pollen as plant life blooms. The increased levels of pollen in the air can trigger your allergy symptoms. The body doesn't recognize the pollen as a safe substance so it attacks it, which results in increased histamine levels.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
If you develop an itchy mouth after you consume eggplant and you suffer from hay fever, you are most likely experiencing oral allergy syndrome. Common symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include: sudden tingling or swelling in your mouth, lips or throat, eye irritation, gum irritation or nose irritation, according to MSNBC. In rare cases, oral allergy syndrome can lead to a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylactic shock. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia states that cooking the eggplant may decrease your chances of developing an itchy mouth.
Treatment
Oral allergy syndrome is not the same condition as a food allergy and can be effectively treated through immunotherapy, according to Oprah.com. Your allergist can expose your body to tiny amounts of the proteins found in the eggplant and slowly increase the amount over a period of time to desensitize your immune system to them. Oral allergy syndrome symptoms tend to be worse during hay fever season. You can avoid eating raw eggplant during these months to prevent the tingling in your mouth.
Warning
If you develop tingling in face accompanied by swelling and chest pain after eating eggplant, you should call 911. You may be experiencing anaphylactic shock, which could lead to death. You may require an injection of epinephrine to alleviate your symptoms.
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