How is your hay fever related to oral allergy syndrome?
Posted: 9th May 2018 | Posted by Costa
How is your hay fever related to oral allergy syndrome?
Spring is well underway, and those who suffer from allergies, be it bugs or trees, will be more than aware of the warmer weather. Birch trees are native to the UK and provide food and habitats for many species. Their leaves are rich in vitamin C and are used to make medicines like those used for urinary tract infections or as diuretics. Birch is a useful addition to British ecosystems. But pollen is one of the most allergenic pollens in the UK.
Around the middle of March, they begin to flower, depending on the weather. This can cause extreme discomfort for those with hay fever. But, a birch pollen allergy can also be related to other allergy symptoms in ways you may not have previously realised.
Summertime sadness
Does your mouth or throat ever get itchy when you eat raw fruits or vegetables? If this happens to you, you could be suffering from oral allergy syndrome (OAS). This is an allergic reaction to foods that contain similar proteins to certain pollens. Birch pollen is a popular allergen which has proteins very similar to those found in many raw foods. Foods that can cause OAS include:
- Fruits – apples, cherries, kiwis, peaches, pears, plums, oranges, bananas, watermelons, and apricots
- Vegetables – celery, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, squash, courgette, and aubergines
- Nuts – almonds and hazelnuts
These are some of the common foods that cause OAS. However, you may experience it with others. Common pollen allergens that mimic those in fruit are birch, which is prevalent in the spring, timothy or orchard grass, found in the summer, and mugwort and ragweed in the autumn/winter.
What is it?
Oral allergy syndrome is an allergic reaction to food that has similar proteins to a variety of pollens. This means if you have a pollen allergy you can also have OAS. When your body mistakes these proteins as a threat, it can lead to an allergic reaction to the food. Your symptoms may include swelling of your throat, mouth, lips, or tongue. It is not common for people with OAS to have a severe allergic reaction, and it is usually confined to the mouth or throat. But, you can easily manage these symptoms.
You could try avoiding the foods which cause an OAS reaction, especially if they are raw. Certain prescriptions can relieve itching, scratchy throats, and watery eyes. A more long-term solution could be immunotherapy. There have been mixed reactions to immunotherapy as a treatment for OAS, with varied success.
One study showed how immunotherapy increased participant’s toleration of birch pollen triggers. But, they did not completely overcome oral allergy syndrome symptoms. As OAS symptoms are not usually dangerous, choosing to try immunotherapy may depend on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. It is always best to speak to a medical professional about your options for treating OAS and other allergies.
London Allergy and Immunology centre’s specialist consultants can talk you through the information you need to understand your options when it comes to treating your allergies. We can test you for allergies and offer a wide range of treatments. Book an appointment with us today to take the first steps towards living allergy-symptom free.