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. :(

Over the last few years I have noticed that whenIi eat just about any fruit my mouth, lips, and throat swell. I didn't know it had a special name. Thanks! I would like to be able to eat them again also. I have never had an allergy test but suspect that I am allergic to other things....long story. Maybe we can find some answers! Sorry I could not be of more help!

Artbuggy

Over the last few years I have noticed that whenIi eat just about any fruit my mouth, lips, and throat swell. I didn't know it had a special name. Thanks! I would like to be able to eat them again also. I have never had an allergy test but suspect that I am allergic to other things....long story. Maybe we can find some answers! Sorry I could not be of more help!

ArtbuggyDo you by chance have springtime allergies as well?

My sister and I had what we thought was a cold for about 2 months. Itchy, runny nose, itchy eyes etc. I think it was an allergy ( I don't think colds last THAT long) but this was the first time I has reacted to pollen or anything for that matter. My mom doesn't believe me so we never got an allergy test but if it comes back this year I am going to push her to do it! It was horrible! and sudafed(sp) did nothing for it! This all seemed to start about a year after puberty....wierd!

Artbuggy

Thanks for providing the name! My experience has been that cooking helps. For instance, I react to raw almonds but not roasted ones, fresh peaches but not canned. Now that I have the name and can research, it appears that the allergens can't stand the heat. :rolleyes:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/foodfacts/orale.shtml

I, too, am looking for help. I'm a 26 year old California girl who can't eat "California cuisine" because of all the fresh fruits and vegetables. I work at a women's college where we have a high vegetarian population, and I have to order my meals specially at work functions, because I can't eat much of anything they serve.

Avacado, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Walnut, Grape, Honeydew, Strawberry, Celery, Nectarine, Carrot, Watermellon, Uncooked wheat - no cookie dough :(, Banana, Tomato, Cucumber, Saybeans, Orange, Apple Mango, Peanut, Pear, Cherry, Almond, Sunglower, and Pineapple all cause problems for me. There's probably more, but I'm afraid to try any new fruits and vegetables because of all the problems I've had.

I do have hayfever in the spring, though not very often, or very badly. I have five times more sinus headaches than I will days when I have typical "allergy" reactions, i.e. sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, etc..
I found research, also, supporting the fact that an oral allery reaction to banana, avacado, or kiwi leaves you at risk for latex allergies, because the proteins are very similar.

Some of these things aren't too bad cooked, but others loose something (like lettuce). And sometimes I would just love to eat an apple, something that used to be my favorite snack.

I'm very interested in any treatment, but no one seems to have any good answers, other than avoidance.

If anyone ever comes across anything that helps...