Ever since I was young, I knew apples were no good for me. Mom would make me eat them if I wanted a snack, but my mouth always itched, and sometimes my lips would swell. After years of eating various foods, I've learned that the reaction extends to bananas (probably the worst), peaches, plums, pears, melons, nuts (not peanuts), kiwi, and a few others I'm probably forgetting. I Googled for this list, and discovered that the cross-reaction among these is very high, especially for people with allergies to birch pollen. Would you believe it? I've known I was allergic to birch since my skin ***** test in kindergarten. So, this collection is known as Oral Allergy Syndrome, and is characterized by itching and swelling in the lips, mouth, and pharynx, and even anaphylactic shock in extreme cases. The research is indicating that there isn't much hope for preventing the reaction, besides abstinence. I look at that list and cry, because those foods are tasty! Does anyone know or suspect that they have OAS, and have any hope for me as far as a treatment? I control my springtime allergy to birch, willow, and oak with a combination of Flonase and Visine Allergy, and symptoms are about 99% eliminated.
Stats are: 20yo male college student who wants to eat fruit again.
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