Oral allergy syndrome is caused by allergens found in raw foods such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts. The syndrome most occurs in teens and adults. The allergy is also known as a pollen-food syndrome as its caused by proteins in certain foods which are similar to pollen. The allergy is mostly mild, but should you experience severe symptoms immediately visit your allergy clinic for allergy testing and medication.

Common Symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome

• Redness, Swelling, and itching of the mouth, ears
• Itching and throat swelling
• Nausea, vomiting, and pain in the stomach
• A runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes

Severe symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome

• swelling of the throats
• Tightening of the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Headaches and stomach cramps

Foods that cause oral allergy syndrome

One of the major cause of the syndrome is raw foods such as vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fruits. Latex also causes oral allergy syndrome especially those in the medical sector. Nuts such as walnut, hazelnut, and walnut cause the allergy. Foods that cause the allergy syndrome

• Vegetables
• Tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers
• Lettuce and Peas
• Corn and the Cucurbitaceae family like pumpkins, zucchini
• Fruits
• Mangoes and Bananas
• Figs and avacadoes
• Raspberries and watermelons
• Oranges and Kiwis

Testing for Oral Allergy Syndrome

One of the diagnosis can be confirmed that the allergic reaction after eating the said foods. The allergy doctor may order an elimination method where the effects of each food ingested are observed until the food causing alleging is found.

The allergist can out a skin test, scratch test, and blood test

Skin test involves the application of the food extracts on the skin to determine the reaction after each food

A blood test involves checking for specific antibodies in the blood

Management of Oral Allergy Syndrome

There are no medications to treat the allergy, only to manage it. Careful lifestyle will go a long way in ensuring reduction of the effects of the allergens. Management of the oral allergy syndrome will be done in addition to other allergies.

• Avoid foods that cause the allergic reactions
• Cooking, baking or microwaving the food will degrade the allergens that cause the allergy
• Peeling fruits before taking them
• Taking antihistamines will relieve the allergic reaction
• Drink lot of water
• Reduce stress as it increases inflammation
• Visit your allergy doctor for allergy treatment

Home Remedies that Help ease Oral Allergy syndrome

• Butterbur will help manage allergens from pollen and reduce the pollen effect. Always ensure its cooked as it could be harmful when raw
• Don’t avoid fruits all together as they are a source of antioxidant and flavonoids that help strengthen the immune system
• Add probiotics and prebiotics  to your diet will increase your immune system
• Avoid sugars, fats and food additives mostly found in processed foods. Instead, invest in whole meals foods