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Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome

Pollen food allergy syndrome is something that I have but didn't realize I had it which is something that I think a lot of people experience.

Additionally, pollen food allergy syndrome is something that developed later in my life which is why I could not pinpoint my stomach pain even after having allergy testing done. Ugh! My frustration.

What is Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome?

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Also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), in layman terms it's when your body responds to a fruit and/or vegetable that has the same protein makeup of the seasonal pollen that you are allergic to.

It can show up later in life for many people as it did for me. Sometimes it can be hard to pinpoint especially if one does not know which seasonal pollens he/she is allergic to.

Pollen Food Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms can actually vary from individual. My symptoms may include:

bloating
tingling/itching mouth
stomach pain
gas
headaches at times

It's important to pay attention to your body to determine if the symptoms that you are experiencing are from pollen food allergy or something else more serious. Always consult your physician whenever you experience constant stomach pain.

In my situation, the pollen does not have to be in bloom for me to have symptoms. I still experience symptoms throughout the year if I eat something that has the same cross reactive protein.

This could be different for other people though.

How Do You Know If You Have Pollen Allergy Syndrome?

Well if you suffer from hay fever, it's quite possible that you could have pollen allergy syndrome.

If you've already had an allergy test done, you know which pollens you are allergic to. If you've not had an allergy test done and you suffer every season from hay fever, you may want to consider visiting an allergist to have one done.

I've suffered from severe hay fever as long as I can remember and never had pollen allergy syndrome until much later in life. It somehow developed.

Pollen Allergy Syndrome Remedy

The best way I remedy this syndrome is to stay away from fruits and vegetables that I have a cross reaction to.

At times this can be difficult, especially when it comes to certain pre-packaged foods like cookies, granola bars, etc. It's so important to read the labels to see if there's anything that would cause a cross reaction.

Also, ensuring that I take my antihistamines twice a day, prescribed by my doctor, helps tremendously. I don't always take twice a day either, it really depends on how my body feels.

Pollen Allergy Syndrome List

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Birch Pollen

So since I'm allergic to birch pollen, I should not have the following to include but not limited to unless cooked in some cases:

apple
carrots
celery
cherries
pear
plum
peach
parsley
barley
soy
strawberries
hazelnuts

Grass Pollen

So since I'm allergic to grass pollen, I should not have the following to include but not limited to unless cooked in some cases:

celery
melon
peach
tomato
orange

There's more extensive lists out there but these are just some. Definitely go search to find more!

In most cases, if the food is cooked, it breaks down the protein which changes the structure, which makes the food more tolerable.

However, when it comes to certain foods like chicken soup, which my hubby makes from scratch, and it's so yummy!, I cannot tolerate it, even though it's cooked. But if I have apple cobbler or apple pie, my body does fine.

One really has to pay attention on how his/her body responds after consuming a food. It will help to determine which foods are causing the reaction. It is very helpful to keep a food diary. You can simply write things in your phone.

Just recently, I discovered that soy is not my friend! ugh! It is also associated with birch pollen. Go figure!

Go to Oral Allergy Syndrome and scroll down to see other resources that provide cross reactivity charts. You may just have an aha! moment.

I hope this information has helped you. Please comment and share if it has. xo, V❤️

About Me

I am a mom of two and wife who looks for natural options and who knows a thing or two about the neti pot as well as resolving my stomach pain. I love mine and can't imagine life without it. Sounds funny, huh? But so true!! Read more about me..