If you develop itching and tingling in your lips and tongue after eating certain fruits, vegetables or nuts, you may be experiencing oral allergy syndrome. MayoClinic.com states that if you suffer from allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever, eating certain raw fruits and vegetables can trigger an allergic reaction that causes your lips and tongue to itch. This condition is also called pollen-food allergy syndrome because it is connected to pollen allergies. Most symptoms related to this condition are mild but should be reported to your doctor.
Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome
Pollen-food allergy syndrome is common among people with pollen allergies. In fact, Oprah.com states that nearly 70 percent of people who suffer from hay fever develop an itchy mouth after eating certain fruits and vegetables. Your immune system is triggered because certain proteins found in fruits and vegetables are similar in construction to certain pollens. The immune system mistakes the fruit or vegetable proteins for pollen and releases histamine locally in and around your mouth.
Symptoms
Symptoms from pollen-food allergy syndrome often come on quickly, according to Oprah.com. Most symptoms can develop while you're still chewing the fruit or vegetable and will only last for a few minutes. The most common symptoms include swelling of the lips; itching of the mouth or throat; and irritation in the gums, eyes or nose. MayoClinic.com states that in rare cases this condition can cause your throat to swell and may even lead to anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening reaction. Most symptoms are worse during pollen season, in the spring and summer months.
Specific Fruits
If you're allergic to ragweed pollen, bananas and melons may trigger oral allergy syndrome. Apples, pears, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, prunes and kiwi can cause an itchy mouth if you're allergic to birch pollen. People who suffer from grass pollen allergies may develop pollen-food allergy syndrome when they eat oranges or peaches. Eating apples or kiwi may be identified by the immune system as mugwort pollen. Latex pollen commonly cross-reacts with banana, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Specific Vegetables
Eating carrots, potatoes, celery, peppers, parsley, parsnips or coriander can trigger oral allergy syndrome if you're allergic to birch pollen. Grass pollens can be confused with tomatoes and celery. Ragweed pollen can cause an itchy mouth when you eat zucchini, cucumber or dandelions. Cooking these vegetables before eating them may reduce your chances of developing an itchy mouth.
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