In 2011 I wrote an article about seasonal allergies and food sensitivities that I want to expand on. In the April, 2011 edition of Readers Digest, I found a very interesting article. At the time, I had horrid allergies both to food and pollen, but now I believe it was more a “sensitivity” than allergies as I am nearly allergy free today. Since I don’t use medicines or chemicals – I am HYPER sensitive to their effects. This is why the article caught my eye.
The article was written by Beth Dremer and in it she suggests that if you are allergic to certain types of spring things, you may also be sensitive to certain fruits. Clifford W. Basset, MD, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York states, “The immune system sees a similarity between proteins in pollen and in these foods, and that triggers a reaction.”
Since 2011, this phenomenon has been named – Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS) and there is now much more information available. Basically, when you consume certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts, you are also consuming the pollen for said fruit. This creates an allergic response. Interestingly enough, when the same fruit is cooked, the proteins are changed and there is no allergic response. As the pollen needs to build up in your system, it doesn’t typically affect young children. PFAS typically react to birch, ragweed and grass pollens.
If you’re allergic to grass, you might react to peaches, celery, tomatoes, melons, and oranges. If you are allergic to birch pollen, you might react to kiwi, apples, pears, peaches, plums, coriander, fennel, parsley, celery, cherries, carrots, hazelnuts, and almonds. If you are allergic to ragweed, you may react to bananas, melons, cucumber, sunflower seeds, and zucchini.
The symptoms of PFAS typically begin within 30 minutes and include swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat, itchy ears and hives, itch mouth, scratchy throat and on occasion an anaphylactic response.
So, my question to you is this – do you have these sensitivities? I don’t, and I am curious if the general populous does or doesn’t.
Recommended reading: https://atlantaallergydoctor.com/blog/pollen-allergies-and-the-foods-we-eat/
More recommended reading: https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/oral-allergy-syndrome-(oas)
I hope your spring is allergy free…
Blessings – E