If you experience allergy symptoms after eating certain fruits or vegetables, you could have oral allergy syndrome (OAS). For Atlanta residents dealing with hay fever, during allergy season OAS usually occurs due to cross-reactivity between these food items and pollen.
Similarities between various types of pollen and the proteins in fruits and vegetables can cause the immune system to produce antibodies that will result in allergy symptoms. Allergic reactions of any kind are concerning to those who suffer with them. To focus on oral allergy syndrome, let’s examine today’s effective treatments available for OAS.
How Does an Allergist Treat Oral Allergy Syndrome?
1. Look Closer at Cross-Reactive Foods
Understanding cross-reactivity to different types of pollen can help people make the best food choices. For example, if you are allergic to ragweed, then foods like bananas, melon and cucumber are likely to cause a reaction. For those with a grass allergy, some of the foods to avoid include peaches, tomatoes and oranges. Your allergist can help you determine the type of pollen you are allergic to.
2. Avoidance of Food Triggers
Avoiding foods that trigger OAS is just one aspect of treating the condition. While for some people, oral allergy syndrome will diminish over time, most people do not grow out of this condition. Therefore, one component of addressing OAS is managing it through avoidance.
3. Make Dietary Adjustments
Cooking or peeling fruit and vegetables is often enough to stop allergic reactions. Why is this? The proteins responsible for the reactions are often found in the skins of food items. In addition, cooking fruit or vegetables changes the structure of the proteins so that they no longer resemble pollen.
4. Antihistamines
Taking antihistamines can offer temporary relief from allergy symptoms. This type of medication stops the immune system from releasing histamine after coming into contact with an allergen. While antihistamines do tend to provide some relief, many people will still experience some allergy symptoms.
5. Immunotherapy
If you can commit to a long-term remedy, immunotherapy is a possible treatment. After discussing your symptoms and a proper diagnosis, your allergist can determine if the desensitization process could help your allergies. For some patients, it’s possible to treat OAS by targeting the root cause of the allergy. Through a process of receiving allergy shots, a patient can build tolerance to the problem pollen type, and this will stop the cross-reactivity.
Get Tested for Allergies
Allergy testing plays an important role in allergy treatment. Unfortunately, many people are still unaware of the benefits that an allergy diagnosis provides. Allergy testing investigates your suspicions about allergic rhinitis, and brings a better understanding of the type of pollen that’s affecting you. Food allergy testing monitors a wide range of foods to discover precisely what is causing a cross-reactive OAS allergy. This information is crucial for making the right dietary and lifestyle choices on a daily basis.
We Can Help Treat Oral Allergy Syndrome
If you have suffered an allergic reaction after eating fruit or vegetables, Chacko Food Allergy Treatment Center can help. From our locations in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Druid Hills, Duluth and Johns Creek, we provide effective oral allergy syndrome treatment. For assistance, call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment now.
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