Food Allergies Are Usually More Common In Children
What is Pollen Food Syndrome ?
Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFS) also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), may affects many people who have hay fever. In this condition, certain fresh fruits and vegetablescan trigger an allergic reaction that lead to tingling sensation and itching in and around the mouth. In rare cases it can trigger severe form of allergy called anaphylaxis.
The main reason for oral allergy syndrome is the cross reactivity of proteins of certain raw fruits and vegetables with certain pollens.
Symptoms of food allergy may reduce if someone cook the food and vegetables.
Symptoms of Pollen Food Syndrome
Itchy mouth
Itchy throat
Itching in ears
Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat.
Symptoms are usually confined to one area and do not normally progress beyond the mouth. However systemic symptoms in nearly 9 percent of patients. Anaphylaxis is also reported in oral allergy syndrome.
Causes of Pollen Food Syndrome
The main reason for oral allergy syndrome is the cross reactivity of proteins of certain raw fruits and vegetables with certain pollens.
If someone has allergy to Birch pollen then he may cross react with apple, carrot, hazelnut etc. Similarly if someone has allergy to Grass pollen then he may have symptoms of allergy after eating melons, banana etc.
Diagnosis of Pollen Food Syndrome
A physician should consider the following:
- Symptoms. Tell your physician /allergist, the symptoms you are experiencing.
- A skin prick test.
- Oral food challenge.
Treatment of Pollen Food Syndrome
Usually treatment is not needed. However if you have mild allergic reaction then you can take over the counter or prescribed antihistamines.
Food Allergy Mimickers
Common conditions that mimic food allergy include:
- Lactase deficiency / lactose intolerance
- Food poisoning
- Celiac disease. sometimes called to as a gluten allergy
- Sensitivity to food additives.eg sulfites used in dried fruit, canned goods
- Histamine toxicity from certain not refrigerated fish
Read in-depth of Pollen Food Syndrome
To read details click on Read More
Point to be remembered in managing Food Allergy
Avoidance of the offending food is the best way to prevent food allergy. One must know the causative food to which he is allergic. A person with food allergy must be cautious when eating in restaurants and in social events.
If you have food allergy, then follow these steps:
- Know what you’re eating and drinking. Always read the food labels while you eating something.
- If you have already had a severe reaction/anaphylaxis, wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace that will alert others and you have a food allergy.
- Have an action plan ready. Always have a action plan of your food allergy.
- Have an Epinephrine / Adrenaline Autoinjector with you.
- Be careful while eating at restaurants.
- Plan your meals and snacks before leaving home.
If your child has food allergy, you must follow few steps to ensure your child is safe:
- Always notify key people about the child’s food allergy. Inform your child care providers, school personnel, parents of your child’s friends and other adults who regularly interact with your child. Tell them that food allergy may be life threatening and may require urgent intervention to save life of the child.
- Explain food allergy symptoms to persons who spend time with the child.
- Have a written action plan.This plan should include the appropriate management strategies to care the child in case of food allergy and in emergency case of anaphylaxis.
- Have your child wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace to display that he/she has Food Allergy.
In-depth reading about of Pollen Food Syndrome
Pollen-food allergy syndrome also known as oral allergy syndrome
Pollen-food allergy syndrome may affects many people who have hay fever. In this condition, certain fresh fruits and vegetablescan trigger an allergic reaction that lead to tingling sensation and itching in and around the mouth. In rare cases it can trigger severe form of allergy called anaphylaxis.
The main reason for oral allergy syndrome is the cross reactivity of proteins of certain raw fruits and vegetables with certain pollens.
Symptoms of food allergy may reduce if someone cook the food and vegetables.
Symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include
- Itchy mouth
- Itchy throat
- Itching in ears
- Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat.
- Systemic symptoms in nearly 9 percent of patients
- Rarely anaphylaxis
Symptoms are usually confined to one area and do not normally progress beyond the mouth.
If someone has allergy to Birch pollen then he may cross react with apple, carrot, hazelnut etc. Similarly if someone has allergy to Grass pollen then he may have symptoms of allergy after eating melons, banana etc.
Because the symptoms usually subside quickly once the fresh fruit or raw vegetable is swallowed or removed from the mouth, treatment is not usually necessary.
Diagnosis of Pollen Food Syndrome
A physician should consider the following:
- Symptoms. Tell your physician /allergist, the symptoms you are experiencing. Tell your allergist about the possible food items, eating of which lead to start of your symptoms. Tell him when this symptoms start occurring, how much time the symptoms last and how you get relief.
- A physical examination. To find out any urticarial lesion in the body and to exclude other cause of similar symptoms.
- A skin prick test. A skin prick test using food allergen can be performed. Expertise in this regard is necessary to perform a skin test. A positive prick test only indicates the people is sensitized to particular food allergen tested. The result of the skin prick test is to be corroborated with the clinical finding of the patients.
- A blood test. A blood test can performed to measure the allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE).
- Oral food challenge. Here the physician will give you a small but gradually increasing amount of raw fruit or vegetables to see whether the symptoms are occurring or not. One must be kept in mind that if a person is already experienced severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, one must not do oral food challenge test as it can be disastrous.
Treatment of Pollen Food Syndrome
Treatment usually not needed
For mild to moderate allergic reaction: over-the-counter or prescribed antihistamines are helpful.
For severe allergic reaction: Anaphylaxis is rare but is reported in oral allergy syndrome If there is severe reaction or anaphylaxis one must inject adrenaline/ epinephrine in an appropriate dosage. If someone has adrenaline autoinjector then he can use it otherwise one has to attend the nearest hospital as early as possible. One must carry his adrenaline autoinjector all the time if an allergist prescribed it.
