[Allergy & Asthma Corner]

Have you heard of Oral Allergy Syndrome? (OAS)

Some people with hay-fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) have symptoms of itching or burning in the mouth, inside of the lips or cheeks and/or throat, after eating watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, bananas, tomatoes or certain seeds (sunflower seeds). Symptoms are limited to the mouth, throat and /or ears and tend not to be progressive or prolonged (usually lasts minutes but not hours). Although this often represents a reaction to one of the above foods it is not considered an allergy to the food.

People allergic to ragweed may experience this reaction after eating bananas or any kind of melons (watermelon, cantaloupe...). Some people allergic to birch tree pollen may have OAS associated with eating raw apples, kiwi or celery. People with such allergies to pollens, with OAS do not make IgE antibody to the fruits. Their pollen related IgE antibody cross reacts (similar structure of allergen on the fruit and particular pollen) with the above mentioned foods.

OAS is not thought to represent a food allergy. People that experience this reaction often think they are allergic to the food. I allow my patients to continue eating the food if symptoms are very mild and limited to the mouth area. I caution them about eating these foods during the active season of the pollen. For example, ragweed season is mid-August through September. Patients with OAS from bananas or melons should avoid these fruits during ragweed season. Symptoms may be more bothersome when the specific pollens are in the air.

Many of my patients choose to avoid foods that cause OAS all together. I thinks this is the safest approach. I have had concerns about whether one may transition from OAS to food allergy over time (but this has not been reported). The natural course of OAS (what happens over time) is not clear.

OAS should be diagnosed by an allergist. One should not assume they have this problem on their own. Food allergies, which may be fatal, often are associated with the same symptoms, early on. Life threatening throat swelling, breathing problems or shock (severe drop in blood pressure) may occur in severe food allergy reactions.

If you think you have OAS get a consultation from a board certified allergist.

Find more information on my practice site: www.allergists-asthma.com