Oral Allergy Syndrome

[Pembo]

Anyone else have this problem? I can't eat most fresh fruits or vegetables. If I do I have an allergic reaction. Cooked, canned, processed are not a problem.

I'm feeling very frustrated as I want to change to more healthy eating and all you read is eat more fresh fruit and vegetables and I can't.

Hoping there are others out there who can share their healthy eating habits w/o fresh fruit/veg.

 

[Feralpeg]

I can't eat fresh peaches. I can eat them canned or baked in something, but not fresh. If I eat them fresh, I get hives and sick to my stomach. Funny thing is that I ate them just fine until I was about eight years old. Not sure what happened to cause this. I can eat everything else with no problems.

 

[mjlewis23]

I have it . It's so frustrating. Mine did not develop until I was about 14. I discovered it while eating a caramel apple from the carnival and my throat and behind my ears started itching. Then I ate some cherries and developed bumps all over my lips. After trial and error, I've discovered I can't eat apples, peaches, pears, cherries, apricots, plums, basically everything that grows on a tree, unless it has been cooked. Recently (within the last 5 years), I've also developed a slight allergy to strawberries (I can't even eat a bowl of special K with red berries) and some nuts, pecans, walnuts, and allmonds in particular. I don't have a problem with most vegetables, but I eat most of my vegetables steamed, so that takes care of the cooking, and still maintains most of the nutritional value.

It is incredibly frustrating that all of the "healthy eating" guidelines include one or more of my banned foods, and usually nuts I can't eat either. So what I do is eat lots of the fresh fruits I can have. I *can* have bananas, melons (watermelon, canteloupe, and honeydew), grapes and oranges. I also find buying organic helps in some way. Maybe it is the different soil or the lack of pesticides? Then the fruits I can't eat, I do canned. Applesauce with no added sugar, canned pineapple or tropical fruit in their own juices, etc. It's better than not eating fruit at all, I figure.

I hope this helps a bit, if only to know that you are not alone! People look at me like I have two heads when I tell them I am allergic to fruit!

 

[sunnyday123]

I work with someone like this. She can't eat any veggie or fruit raw. Can you eat them steamed?

 

[luvmy3]

My ds has OAS and can't eat any raw fruit or vegetable other than blueberries. It is so frustrating because there was a time when he could eat almost anything but apples, but within the last 2 years he has developed reactions to pretty much everything. I'm sorry, I don't have any advice for you, only hugs because I know how much of a PIA it is

 

[Imzadi]

I have it. I spoke to an allergist. Something in the cooking/heating process breaks down the enzyme or acid in fruits & vegetables enough so I can eat them cooked, steamed, baked, canned, jarred, etc.

While I do miss some fresh fruits, and would kill for a sweet, juicy peach, I don't have a problem eating stirfrys, vegetable soups, stews loaded with veggies, and baked or steamed veggies all the time. I am always looking for better sauces & new ways to make veggies.

The Chinese and east Indian cultures cook everything they eat - even lettuce. Their Eastern internal medicines & studies from over 5000 years old, state that foods should be cooked, or the body has to create an enzyme to "cook" raw foods before digesting them. Raw foods actually make the body work harder.

Since both the Chinese & Indian races are the fastest and largest growing races on the planet, and NOT on the brink of extinction from eating this way for 5000 years, it proves that you can be just as healthy eating all your veggies cooked.

 

[shelly3girls]

I feel your pain. I cannot eat apples. Unfortunately I also have other allergies that prevent me from eating cooked apple. Many other fruits bother me but apples are the worst (swollen lips and tongue). DD8 developed it about a year ago after eating apples her whole life. Hers is much worse and there are many things she cannot eat. Poor kid is so sick of the taste of bananas. She used to love them but they are one of the only fruits she can eat. She is also very afraid to try new foods for fear of allergic reaction. She is also allergic to crab and walnuts.

 

[luvmy3]

I have it . It's so frustrating. Mine did not develop until I was about 14. I discovered it while eating a caramel apple from the carnival and my throat and behind my ears started itching. Then I ate some cherries and developed bumps all over my lips. After trial and error, I've discovered I can't eat apples, peaches, pears, cherries, apricots, plums, basically everything that grows on a tree, unless it has been cooked. Recently (within the last 5 years), I've also developed a slight allergy to strawberries (I can't even eat a bowl of special K with red berries) and some nuts, pecans, walnuts, and allmonds in particular. I don't have a problem with most vegetables, but I eat most of my vegetables steamed, so that takes care of the cooking, and still maintains most of the nutritional value.

It is incredibly frustrating that all of the "healthy eating" guidelines include one or more of my banned foods, and usually nuts I can't eat either. So what I do is eat lots of the fresh fruits I can have. I *can* have bananas, melons (watermelon, canteloupe, and honeydew), grapes and oranges. I also find buying organic helps in some way. Maybe it is the different soil or the lack of pesticides? Then the fruits I can't eat, I do canned. Applesauce with no added sugar, canned pineapple or tropical fruit in their own juices, etc. It's better than not eating fruit at all, I figure.

I hope this helps a bit, if only to know that you are not alone! People look at me like I have two heads when I tell them I am allergic to fruit!

Usually a person thats suffers from OAS also suffers from seasonal allergies because the proteins in the fresh fruit/vegetables are so similiar to the allergen. In my ds's case its birch, he is highly allergic to it therefore there is a long list of fruits that can give him a reaction and unfortunately they do.

 

[fall08CP]

I have this too and it really is frustrating. What I would give to eat a fresh, crisp apple! I'm okay with all berries and veggies but no apples/peaches/pears etc.

Have you tried the berries yet?

 

[Imzadi]

Usually a person thats suffers from OAS also suffers from seasonal allergies because the proteins in the fresh fruit/vegetables are so similiar to the allergen. In my ds's case its birch, he is highly allergic to it therefore there is a long list of fruits that can give him a reaction and unfortunately they do.

Yes, I was told this too. I have tree allergies, am allergic to mugwort and have hay fever. When I asked why this would make me allergic to fruit, she said, "Fruits grow on trees."

One of those makes me allergic to all kinds of melons.

I can have blueberries, raspberries and bananas. Once in a while, an occasional strawberry and sometimes some green grapes. Not red grapes. That's about it. The allergist said to be careful with continuing to eat raw fruit I'm allergic to. It can make things worse over time.

I also wondered if it had to do with the pesticides. I had eaten an apple every morning for years with no problem. Then bam! It started. I tried a few organic apples, but it didn't make a difference in my case. I haven't tried any raw fruits out of season. I have no craving to eat them out of season as they aren't spilling all over the fruit stands then, tempting me.

 

[Evi]

I have something akin to a fruit veggi allergy though I've figured out over time that it has more to do with how ripe some fruits are. Since I know get almost all my veggies most of the year from local csa I've noticed fewer problems. I think alot of the veggies we get in the market have sat around abit from time picked to time actually put on the floor allowing whatever it is that gives me an allergy or so I'm convinced. I also grow veggies and notice that when I eat them fresh picked I'm ok but when store bought I have an allergy. Try it over the summer if your reaction is not an anaphylactic one try eating something fresh from fruit stand/ veggie market vs super market and see if you notice a difference. Like I can eat apples when we pick them fresh but not when I buy in the market.

Also I know certain fruit veggie food combinations trigger allergies so its worth talking to an allergist

 

[MandM3]

Yes, I was told this too. I have tree allergies, am allergic to mugwort and have hay fever. When I asked why this would make me allergic to fruit, she said, "Fruits grow on trees."

I was told that the proteins in the fruit/veg/nuts are so similar to the ones in the trees you're allergic to that your body thinks you're eating a piece of tree.

I'm allergic to most fruit and nuts. When I was in hospital recently and they listed my allergies, all but 2 of my meals were boiled potatoes and boiled carrots. I guess the kitchen was taking no risks!

 

[AKL_Megs]

I am "oral-allergic" to anise seed and licorice.

I know right away if something has either hidden in it because my tongue itches and goes numb before swelling.

 

[*BTMRR*]

Very interesting. I'm going to have to look into this. For the past few years, I've noticed that if I eat fresh peaches, melons, or green grapes I start sneezing and get an itchy mouth. It's gotten to the point that I won't even eat these anymore, which is sad because I adore them! I have mild seasonal allergies but haven't ever had any food allergies, so I have been puzzled by these reactions. Now I think maybe I actually do have oral allergy syndrome.

 

[james'mommy]

I've had this since college. I have outgrown some of the allergies over the years. But I've also picked up new ones too.

 

[clutter]

Yes, I was told this too. I have tree allergies, am allergic to mugwort and have hay fever.

Ok, first I have to say that I've never heard of mugwort. Having just finished Harry Potter 7, it sounds like it comes from there! (Going to google in a minute!)

I have seasonal allergies, and I've noticed that walnuts and maple syrup (even the flavoring) tend to make my tongue feel slightly swollen, so I don't eat them much. Over the last few years, I've noticed that melons (canteloupe and honeydew, not watermelon) give me a slight sore throat/post nasal drip. I've never been a big fresh fruit eater (I pretty much only eat bananas, berrys and watermelons) because I find the acidity of the fruit makes my tongue sore. Maybe it's actually allergies?

Interesting topic!

 

[MichelleVW]

Both of my DD's have this problem. One can't eat bananas or strawberries, and the other one can't eat apples. This all started in the past year or so, they used to be able to eat them with no problems.

 

[Pembo]

Ah, nice to know I'm not alone. People think I'm crazy when I say I'm allergic to fruit and raw veggies. I never was a huge fruit/veg eater but I've had problems with melons, berries, bananas, tomatoes, carrots...to name a few. Of course those are the few I actually liked.

I can eat any of them if they are cooked or canned. It's just very frustrating. Every diet/weight loss etc says eat fresh fruit/veg as a snack...

From what I've found on the internet, there is no cure, just avoid those foods.

BTW-as a kid I had severe spring and summer allergies. I was tested and found to be allergic to trees, weeds, and grasses. My allergy symptoms have definitely improved as I've gotten older but I guess they really just transferred...

 

[TI double GGER]

I am sitting here crying on my keyboard. I thought I was the only one. I have been dealing with this for 20 or so years. Had an apple one morning and ended up in an ambulance with my throat closing. Had eaten apples almost every day my entire life, thats how quickly it changed. People look at me like I am crazy because I can eat things cooked but not raw, they say it can't be an allergy. Like a PP I also thought maybe it was pesticides, several years after the organics came out I got up the nerve to try an apple and the same thing happened. I would love to bite into a juicy apple!!!! I have had grass and tree allergies all my life, I'm an Army brat and a Navy wife so I have lived all over the place. Some places I had no symptoms at all. It is all starting to make sense. I went on webmd before I posted because I had never heard it given a name and was just amazed at the info. Described me to a T! Even the part about how if some foods cause diarrhea that too can be an allergic reaction. Even the smallest piece of cucumber will almost imediately send me running. Wow I logged on the Dis to pass the time til my DH gets home and found out I'm not wierd after all! Well ok I really am still wierd But seriously I am so thankful to have gotten this information. Thanks OP

 

[Christine]

I don't have oral allergy syndrome but starting to suspect that it is Fructose Malabsorption, which causes GI symptoms. I, too, am bummed because I really want to eat healthy and all the "snacks" on most healthy diets leave me spending a LOT of time in the bathroom. Apples are a KILLER for me. Mine is not an allergy, thank goodness, but still really impacts my life. I feel bad because I can no longer eat most fruits, beans, nuts, etc. All the stuff on a healthy diet.