Oral Allergy Syndrome

Oral Allergy Syndrome or OAS is an allergicreaction to certain (usually fresh) fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The allergy is not actually an allergy to foodbut a syndrome that develops in hay feversufferers. The immune systemmistakes the food proteinsfor the pollen proteins and causes an allergic reaction.

Symptoms

OAS sufferers may have a number of reactions that usually occur very rapidly, within minutes of eating a trigger food. The most common reaction is an itching or burning sensation in the lips, mouth, and/or throat. Sometimes other reactions can be triggered in the eyes, nose, and skin. The most severe reactions can result in asthmaproblems or anaphylaxis.

Cross reactions

Allergies to a certain pollen are associated with OAS reactions to certain foods. For instance, an allergy to ragweedis associated with OAS reactions to banana, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, zucchini, and cucumber. Reactions may begin with one type of food and with reactions to others developing later.

Treatment

An OAS sufferer should avoid foods they have a known allergy to. Immunotherapyfor hay fever allergens has improved or cured OAS in many patients.

References

• OAS
• OAS at About.com

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral+Allergy+Syndrome Wikipedia article Oral Allergy Syndrome.