If you've ever experienced an itchy or tingly sensation in your mouth after eating a fruit or vegetable -- even one you've been eating all your life -- it might be due to oral allergy syndrome.
According to , people with this condition are allergic to plant pollen which are similar to proteins found in many fruits and vegetables. The immune system can mistake the produce proteins for the plant pollen that caused the allergy.
Experts at the National Jewish Health have several tips for managing oral allergy syndrome:
- Avoid raw foods that cross-react with your pollen allergens
- Take oral antihistamine medications to relieve mild symptoms
- Cook foods to eliminate the cross-reaction
- Eat canned fruits and vegetables during pollen season
- Peel the food since the protein is often concentrated in the skin