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Original poster

Oral allergy syndrome

32 replies

Newcatmum · 22/08/2019 14:06

Does anyone suffer from this with fruit and vegetables? It started when I was about 11 and seems to have got worse the older I get. One single grape triggered it the other day Sad.

I don't eat any fruit because of it and cucumber and coleslaw also cause it. Peeling potatoes causes my hands to itch. I also suffer hayfever which I know is a connection.

I need to lose weight and want to start eating healthily so would like to be able to replace my snacks with fruit. Is there anything I can do to reduce the symptoms, would anti histamines work?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 22/08/2019 14:13

From online:

The best way is to cook your food. Heat breaks down the proteins associated with the syndrome. But this doesn’t work with all foods, like celery for example.

Canned, processed, pasteurized, or frozen foods may also be safe. But you may still have symptoms after eating dried or dehydrated foods.

If you still want to eat your fruit or vegetable fresh, try peeling it. Most of the proteins you want to avoid are in theskin.

All of this will drop your chances of getting the syndrome. But nothing will make it go away completely.

Still, if you know you have this problem, you can avoid those foods and live a happier, healthier life

AmateurSwami · 22/08/2019 14:14

I have this!! I microwave apples and can only eat cooked veg x

OITNBfan · 22/08/2019 14:17

My son has this. He was diagnosed with a peanut and nut allergy and after 15 years and lots tests, it turned out he had oral allergy syndrome.

I thought it was the tree pollen that attaches itself to the fruit and veg, so I peel as much as I can, inc. cucumber peppers, courgettes, apples, pears and wash/scrub other fruit really, really well. With nectarines, peaches I slice the flesh out for him. It is time consuming but worth it so he can have as varied a diet as possible.

Ask your GP about antihistamines. I don't DS give those unless I need to as he does have other allergies and I wouldn't want him to become desensitised to Piriton as it's a really effective allergy treatment for him.

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Lieinrequired · 22/08/2019 14:19

I also have this. Bananas and grapes are the only fruit I eat raw.

How long do you microwave apple for?

ApplePenPineapplePen · 22/08/2019 14:20

Me too. I mourn the days when I could eat fresh plums cherries nectarines and peaches. I don't miss apples so much and I tolerate some strawberries. I also have anaphylaxis with tree nuts.Sad i do enjoy stewed fruit and I can tolerate cucumber and raw tomatoes again. I try not to take anti histamines unless my avoidance has failed. As a result I eat more vegetables and less fruit than I would like. I was tempted by a cherry a couple of years ago and my lips swelled as if I had had implants Grin.

ApplePenPineapplePen · 22/08/2019 14:22

For me, peeling fruit helped reduce the symptoms but they were still unpleasant.

drsausage · 22/08/2019 14:27

I've been having allergy shots for 3 years for birch pollen-related hayfever and I can now eat an apple. Still a bit too scared to try a cherry but working my way up to it.

underneaththeash · 22/08/2019 14:32

Ooh I get this too (I didn’t realise it had a name). Cherries, grapes, peaches and nectarines set it off as well as uncooked coriander. I only get the tingle, i’ve Just read up on it and there seems to be an association with tree pollen allergy.

I don’t eat much fruit anyway, I don’t really snack between meals.

verystressedmum · 22/08/2019 14:34

Yes ds has this. Started with really bad hay fever, then oral allergy syndrome, then a peanut allergy, then lymphoma, then other autoimmune conditions... not saying it's definitely connected but I think so.

Mustbetimeforachange · 22/08/2019 14:38

Me too, me too!
I peel everything. It started with cherries - I can eat some cherries, but definitely not the darker ones. Then almonds (only with the brown skin on) peaches, nectarines & apricots. I had it with an apple the other day too. I find I am fine if I (can be bothered) to peel the fruit. Cooked is fine as well. DS has it with kiwi fruit. It only started in my 40s.

Original poster
Newcatmum · 22/08/2019 15:10

Oh wow can't believe how common this is! I don't think it happens to me with apples but tbh I haven't ate any fruit for years due to this until my single grape a few days ago.

I am going to buy a few different types of fruit and peel the skin off to see if that helps any. I don't fancy cooking the fruit I would rather just go without, I'm not really a big snacker anyway so I'm sure I can come up with an alternative if I need to.

If it was just the tingle I would try and put up with it but about 10 years ago I ate a plum and my lips were swollen and it felt like my throat was closing up (it wasn't).

I'm glad I'm not alone with this as you can see people inwardly rolling their eyes when I say I'm allergic to fruit and they clearly think I'm making it up as an excuse not to eat healthierGrin

OP posts:
drsausage · 22/08/2019 15:12

I also get itchy when I use certain types of dental floss. Itchy gums are the weirdest thing ever.

Original poster
Newcatmum · 22/08/2019 15:16

I've never experienced that drsausage but as a teenager I used to get an itchy forehead everytime I brushed my teeth Grin. Never worked that one out Confused

OP posts:
Swishyswash · 22/08/2019 15:17

My DH developed this about 10 years ago. Every year he seems to become sensitive to something else.

So far it's fruit and nuts, apples, pears, all stone fruit, almonds and hazelnuts. He's ok if they're cooked. He also gets terrible hayfever. He's fine with citrus and bananas.

Will look into allergy injections for him, anything that helps would be good.

Windygate · 22/08/2019 15:19

I have had this all my life but didn't have an anaphylactic shock until I was in my 20s. I carry epi-pens and always have antihistamine tablets and eyedrops close to hand.

I can't eat any raw fruit so have to cook it or have tinned fruit. If I have to peel veg such as potatoes or parsnips I wear gloves.

Have you been formally diagnosed?

verystressedmum · 22/08/2019 15:21

Ds is almost all raw fruit and most raw vegetables too.

Original poster
Newcatmum · 22/08/2019 15:29

Windygate that's scary I was under the impression it wasn't very serious. No I haven't been formally diagnosed any time I've mentioned it to a health professional they've just shrugged it off. Would it be worth my while making a GP appointment to discuss it do you think?

Swishy citrus fruits are the worst for me!

OP posts:
drsausage · 22/08/2019 15:30

I can't eat any raw fruit so have to cook it or have tinned fruit. If I have to peel veg such as potatoes or parsnips I wear gloves.

I don't wear gloves but I have been squirted in the eye when chopping apples, and had to take antihistamines and use eye drops. Such a PITA.

Will look into allergy injections for him, anything that helps would be good.

My main warning with allergy injections is that you can end up having a systemic reaction to them. I have had one big reaction, and I now have to have an epipen with me after the shots. I do also get a big lump in my arm for a day or two after the shots, even though I wear an ice-pack around my arm for several hours. But it's made a massive difference to my hayfever and I'm definitely able to eat more fruits now too.

AmateurSwami · 22/08/2019 15:33

@Lieinrequired between 30 secs to a minute, any less isn’t enough. Completely changes the taste so it’s a bit annoying but bareable

AmateurSwami · 22/08/2019 15:36

Started with really bad hay fever, then oral allergy syndrome, then a peanut allergy, then lymphoma, then other autoimmune conditions... not saying it's definitely connected but I think so.

This is scary as I have developed new allergies every few years and just got a blood test back with raised inflammation markers Confused

Windygate · 22/08/2019 15:37

@Newcatmum I am also allergic to some nuts (i avoid all nuts). The consultant I saw said it's all connected and serious but that may not be true.

drsausage · 22/08/2019 15:37

So far it's fruit and nuts, apples, pears, all stone fruit, almonds and hazelnuts. He's ok if they're cooked. He also gets terrible hayfever. He's fine with citrus and bananas.

BTW that sounds like a birch pollen allergy - that's what I have, and the allergy shots have really helped.

drsausage · 22/08/2019 15:38

Here are some of the allergy groups in case it helps anyone:

Birch pollen: apple, almond, carrot, celery, cherry, hazelnut, kiwi, peach, pear, plum

Grass pollen: celery, melons, oranges, peaches, tomato

Ragweed pollen: banana, cucumber, melons, sunflower seeds, zucchini

Orangepancakes · 22/08/2019 15:45

I have it too including the itchy potato hands! I generally don't eat fruit, juicy things like peaches and melons are the worst. Also bell peppers. The itchy ears is the worst part for me.

I just eat a tonne of cooked veg. Just chuck loads of cheap frozen chopped veg into sauces to bulk it out with vitamins/low calories. Having a high veg to low meat ratio helps me to lose weight.

wonderpants · 22/08/2019 15:49

I suffer with this, strangely not all the time though!
I read that if it flares up to have a hot drink to kill the allergens and it does kind of work! When my mouth swells up, a good swill with a hot cup of tea helps lots!