Are you allergic to apples?

Most people know someone who is allergic to strawberries, or some type of citrus fruit. But apples?

For someone allergic to them, eating an apple can cause itching or tingling and swelling of the lips, mouth and throat, a condition known as oral allergy syndrome.

People who have hay fever caused by birch pollen are most at risk of developing the condition.

This is because hay fever is caused by the body’s immune system overreacting to a specific protein or allergen present in pollen. Unfortunately, the protein present in birch pollen is sufficiently similar to that found in fresh apples, causing the body to react in the same way i.e. by triggering an allergic reaction.

For the same reason, hay fever sufferers who are allergic to birch pollen are also more likely to also be allergic to plums, carrots, cherries, peaches, walnuts, potatoes and wheat.

And people who are allergic to grass pollen may also find that melon, watermelon, oranges, wheat and tomatoes cause symptoms of oral allergy syndrome.

This type of allergy can often be avoided by cooking fresh fruits and vegetables. If your allergy is more severe, your GP may prescribe antihistamines.

This article was published on Thu 19 November 2009