Oral allergy syndrome differs from traditional food allergies because it is a condition that is not typically life threatening. People with hay fever or allergies to pollen may experience allergic reactions after eating certain raw fruits and vegetables. Avoiding the triggers keep symptoms at bay, but a special diet is not usually needed. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet, or SCD diet, is not a recognized form of treatment for oral allergy syndrome.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Symptoms of oral allergy syndrome vary in severity and depend on your sensitivity to a specific food and how much of it you consumed. Itching and tingling in the mouth and throat, swelling of the lips and sometimes irritation in the eyes, nose and ears are typical symptoms of oral allergy syndrome. They appear several minutes after eating a trigger food and generally subside within 30 minutes. These symptoms are rarely dangerous, but some people may experience swelling of the throat or anaphylaxis, serious conditions that require immediate medical attention. The most common form of treatment is to eliminate from your diet the fruits and vegetables that cause symptoms.
Specific Carbohydrate Diet
The SCD diet is used to treat digestive disorders, autism and cystic fibrosis by restricting intake of grains, lactose and sucrose. The theory behind the diet is that certain carbohydrates are good for the digestive system while others are not. Following the diet requires adhering to strict guidelines regarding what is and is not part of a meal. Some of foods that are allowed on the SCD diet are ones that could cause an allergic reaction in someone who has oral allergy syndrome, making the program a poor choice for controlling symptoms of the condition.
Fruits and Vegetables
Most people with oral allergy syndrome are able to safely eat cooked fruits and vegetables. Raw produce is the culprit when it comes to allergy symptoms and the types to avoid depend on your allergies. People with an allergy to birch pollen should avoid items such as raw apples, carrots, celery, potatoes, hazelnuts, peaches and pears. Eliminate raw bananas, melons and tomatoes for ragweed allergy. If you have a grass allergy, raw tomatoes may cause unpleasant symptoms. A mugwort pollen allergy may mean having to avoid food items including raw apples, carrots, celery, kiwi, peanuts and some spices. Fruits and nuts make up a portion of the recommended foods on the SCD diet, thus making it hard to follow if you have oral allergy syndrome.
Considerations
In some cases, peeling trigger fruits and vegetable will reduce your symptoms, allowing you to eat raw produce without discomfort, which is ideal for someone with a condition that requires following the SCD diet. Antihistamines may also provide relief. Oral allergy syndrome does not typically require medical attention, but your doctor can provide a definitive diagnosis if you are unsure. Always discuss a new diet program, including the SCD diet, with your doctor. The SCD diet is restrictive and may not provide adequate nutrition for someone who has oral allergy syndrome.
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