The world of allergies is much bigger than most of us thought, involving much more detail. The more you know about it, the better you can protect yourself. If you have read about oral allergy syndrome but aren’t sure what it is or how it may impact you, this is your hub for understanding it. We’ll also cover how Sensitivity testing is vital in determining a diagnosis and how to live long-term with oral allergy syndrome.
What is oral allergy syndrome?
Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) is also known as Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS). This special kind of food allergy is different from others because it is essentially an allergy to proteins in pollen that are like other kinds of pollen that you are allergic to, and this similarity causes an allergic reaction.
For example, if you are eating a piece of fruit with pollen like nuts, which you are allergic to, you would react to the fruit you are eating even though the fruit has nothing to do with the nut you are allergic to. This process is called cross-reactivity.
OAS is technically caused by different types of plants, such as grasses and ragweed. If you are allergic to this pollen, you could notice symptoms after eating bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, and more. To us, these don’t seem related to each other, but the Botanics are very closely related.
OAS is most common in adults and is one of the most common adult-onset food allergies. It can happen year-round, though many find its symptoms are worse in the spring. The timing matches with spring allergy season.
Is pollen food allergy syndrome a serious allergy?
If you’re new to learning about this specific food allergy, you might feel intimidated by it. After all, how do you protect yourself against when pollen can float wherever it chooses? This is especially because oral allergy syndrome symptoms often include tingling in the mouth and tightness in the chest (3).
While those symptoms can be serious, of course, most people suffering from OAS have only mild and short-term symptoms. It’s rare to have swelling in the throat or other anaphylactic reactions.
That being said, this kind of allergy is still as serious, if not more so, as a classic food allergy. You will want to know what kind of pollen you are reacting to to determine where cross-reactivity can occur.
The importance of sensitivity testing
Oral allergy syndrome is often not diagnosed, causing many to suffer from its symptoms. But, Sensitivity testing can help diagnose PFAS just like any other allergy. By getting precise results on what you are sensitive to, you can use that to help you understand how cross-reactivity is happening.
As always, the more information you have about your food sensitivities, the better you can care for yourself and live with OAS.
How to live with oral allergy syndrome
At first glance, enjoying fresh fruit and nuts seems impossible if you have OAS. However, this is not the case! It will be about understanding what is going on in your body and how to care better for it. You are not alone in this journey, either. Here are some steps to help.
Get a clear diagnosis
No matter how you look at it, accurate information is the first step to making positive changes in your life. Getting Sensitivity testing will be the best, personalized approach to putting you in control of your food-related life.
Keep a food journal
Once you know what you are dealing with about your allergens, you can start keeping a journal that documents what you are eating and reacting to. This is a great way to understand which fruits and vegetables are safe and which you should avoid in their raw form.
The more you learn about what you can eat and what you should avoid, the better your relationship will be with food. You may also find that it offers a lot of peace of mind, too, since it can help curb your food-related anxiety!
Try processing fruits and nuts
If you are having a lot of fresh fruit and nut reactions, you can consider trying canned equivalents or cooked options instead. The heating, processing, and cooking processes change the composition of the food, and it can often be safe for you to eat the problem food. This is especially a great idea if you are having severe reactions to foods that are hard to avoid in your daily diet!
While the world of PFAS can seem overwhelming at first, it is simply another kind of food allergy to understand and accommodate when you break it down into manageable information sections. If you’re ready to take on a life after an OAS diagnosis, this guide will support your journey to a happy, enjoyable, and safe relationship with your favourite fresh foods!
