General Information

• Type of food allergy caused by uncooked fruits, raw vegetables, spices, tree nuts and peanuts in people who have nose and eye symptoms during the pollen seasons
• Caused by the body reacting to proteins in some foods that are similar to the proteins in pollens causing allergy symptoms

Symptoms

• Reactions typically occur with raw or uncooked foods such as fruits, vegetables, peanut, tree nuts and some spices
• Symptoms include itching, burning or tingling of lips, mouth or throat which typically resolve in 15 minutes
• Some people develop itching, redness, or slight swelling of the hands if they peel or handle peeled fruits or vegetables such as mangoes, apples, or white potatoes
• About 10% have nausea or stomach upset
• Fewer than 5% develop more serious whole-body allergic reactions, such as throat tightness, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of consciousness
• People who react to peanut, tree nuts, peaches or mustard are at increased risk of having more severe reactions
• Symptoms are usually most noticeable during the pollen season and for a few months after the pollen season
• Symptoms during the pollen seasons include runny nose, congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, itchy and watery eyes, itching of the throat or ears and coughing

Treatment

• Avoid eating foods that cause reactions in raw, uncooked forms
• People often tolerate cooked, canned or frozen forms of the foods
• Cooking, processing or digestion changes the proteins and cause the body to no longer react
• Some foods such as peanuts and tree nuts do not change the proteins enough with cooking to prevent symptoms and should be avoided
• A small number of patients will need to carry an epinephrine auto injector such as Allerject or EpiPen