Oral Allergy Syndrome: Why Fresh Fruits Make Your Mouth Itch 

Have you ever bitten into an apple and experienced an itchy mouth? Maybe you felt the itch in your throat or on your tongue and started to wonder if you’d developed a food allergy. It turns out the culprit could be related to seasonal allergies. 

Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), also known as Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS), gives you a clue about where it stems from. With OAS, the body can have trouble distinguishing certain foods from the pollen that causes seasonal allergies. Then your body reacts even though the food itself is safe.

At Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina, Texas, our allergist, Dr. Thomas Fowler, and his team discuss your medical history and, if needed, run comprehensive tests, including testing for allergy symptoms,to determine the source of your itchy mouth.

What causes oral allergy syndrome? 

OAS is a type of cross-reactivity. If you’re allergic to tree, grass, or weed pollen, your immune system may recognize similar proteins found in fresh produce. 

For example, if you’re allergic to late summer ragweed, you might experience symptoms after eating melons, bananas, or zucchini. If your seasonal allergies are more prevalent in the spring, you may react to apples, apricots, and almonds. 

Symptoms can include an itchy mouth, lips, or throat, or a tingling sensation. You may also experience mild swelling of the lips or mouth. 

In most cases, the symptoms are limited to the mouth and throat and disappear quickly. 

How is OAS different from a typical food allergy?

Although the symptoms might feel alarming, OAS is rarely dangerous. 

Traditional food allergies can affect multiple body systems and may cause hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. 

OAS usually causes tingling or itching in the mouth, lips, or throat after eating something fresh. Serious allergic reactions are uncommon, but they can occur. If you feel short of breath or have difficulty swallowing, call 911 or your medical professional immediately. 

Another clue that it’s OAS is that you can eat the same foods if they’re cooked without any symptoms. So if you bite into an apple and experience that itchy mouth or throat, but you can eat a slice of apple pie, it could be OAS. 

What are your treatment options? 

The easiest approach is to identify your trigger foods and avoid them raw. You can jot down notes in your notes app if you feel symptoms when eating certain foods. 

Cooking changes a food's structure, and many people can eat the same food when it's cooked. Finally, managing underlying seasonal allergies can reduce reactions. Dr. Fowler may recommend antihistamines, nasal sprays, or allergy shots, depending on your symptoms. 

Our team at Allergy & Asthma of Prosper and Celina, Texas, helps you identify trigger foods and create a treatment plan so you can feel confident in what you’re eating. You can schedule online or call for an appointment.