Do you have hay fever? If you do, you may notice that certain foods may make your mouth tingle or itch. Proteins in some fruits and vegetables can cause this reaction because they’re similar to the allergy-causing proteins in certain pollens. In severe cases, pollen-food allergy syndrome can cause the throat to swell or even anaphylaxis.
Cooking fruits and veggies can help prevent this reaction. But if you eat them raw, you may experience symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some of the most common fruits and veggies and pollens that may cause cross-reactivity symptoms.
- If you're allergic to birch pollen, you may also have a reaction to:
Apples, carrots, celery, hazelnuts, peaches, pears, and raw potatoes.