Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is an allergic reaction to certain foods, including fruits, vegetables and nuts. It most often happens if you have an allergy to trees, grass or other pollens (cross-reactivity). OAS makes your lips, mouth and throat itchy but rarely causes severe reactions.
OAS is a form of a contact allergic reaction that occurs upon contact of the mouth and throat with raw fruits or vegetables. The most frequent symptoms of OAS include itchiness or swelling of the mouth, face, lip, tongue and throat.
Raw fruits and vegetables contain similar proteins to plant pollens, and your immune system can confuse them, resulting in an allergic reaction — typically itching or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat.
Most apple allergic patients notice itching of mouth and throat, and itching, redness and swelling of the lips, within the 5-15 minutes after eating the fruit, or even while chewing and swallowing it. These symptoms disappear 15 to 60 minutes later. This is known as the “oral allergy syndrome”.
A mild allergic reaction that causes lip swelling is usually over within four days, especially if you use over-the-counter antihistamines. For minor cuts and abrasions inside the mouth, rinse with a peroxyl mouthwash which facilitates healing, alleviates discomfort, and provides a whole mouth clean.
Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is an allergic reaction to certain foods, including fruits, vegetables and nuts. It most often happens if you have an allergy to trees, grass or other pollens (cross-reactivity). OAS makes your lips, mouth and throat itchy but rarely causes severe reactions.
Interestingly, many patients with oral allergy syndrome can eat the same fruits or vegetables when they are cooked. The cooking process changes the protein enough that the immune system does not recognize the food as being the same as the pollen anymore.
In fact, heartburn, diarrhea, reflux, and bloating are all potential side effects of eating too much fruit, according to Bruning. High blood sugar is another side effect of fruit consumption, and can be potentially dangerous for people with diabetes.
Lots of different fruits have been known to cause allergic reactions. There are different types of allergies to fruit, and they can sometimes be serious. Visit your GP if you have symptoms after eating fruit so you can find out what type of allergy or intolerance you have and how to manage it.
While apple, peach, and kiwi fruit cause the majority of allergic reactions, there are many other fruits that you should be aware of if you have allergies to pollen, latex, or citrus.
Allergy desensitization is a longer-term option for fruit allergies and pollen itself. The process involves building tolerance through gradual interactions with allergens. For OAS, patients will usually receive allergy shots that desensitize the immune system to the particular type of pollen causing issues.
Swelling of the lips is another allergy symptom that often occurs when eating fresh strawberries, as allergenic proteins can spread all around the mouth. When this occurs, the lips can swell to the point where they are difficult to feel, move, or speak. A tongue rash is another possible symptom of strawberry allergy.
Swollen Lips Allergy can be relieved with some home remedies, such as applying salt and warm water, applying a baking soda and water paste, using turmeric paste on the swollen lips, applying a cold compress, applying aloe vera gel, and using tea tree oil and honey.
Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS), also known as oral allergy syndrome, is caused by cross-reacting allergens found in both pollen and raw fruits, vegetables, or some tree nuts. The immune system recognizes the pollen and similar proteins in the food and directs an allergic response to it.
Those of us with the condition usually develop symptoms within minutes of eating the food, and they typically dissipate in less than 15 minutes. Just enough time to make a person go a bit crazy. For me, the itching can be counteracted by eating a neutral substance such as bread or by drinking water.
Topical corticosteroids may help reduce inflammation and heal chapped lips. Low potency topical corticosteroids, or Class II topical corticosteroids such as topical hydrocortisone 1%, are available over the counter (OTC) as an ointment, cream, or gel.
In some people, a food allergy can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can cause life-threatening signs and symptoms, including: Constriction and tightening of the airways. A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe.
When your body comes in contact with an allergen such as insect bites, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy or wheat, fluid can accumulate underneath the skin layers and cause the lips to swell. You may also develop swollen lips when you take hot spices or peppers, and medications like penicillin.
If your doctor determines your swollen lips are due to environmental allergies, he or she may recommend an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antihistamine medication, such as: Loratadine (Claritin) Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
In renal and liver failure, lip swelling is usually isolated, discrete and less severe. It is difficult to diagnose without a comprehensive physical examination. Lip enlargement in these cases requires causative treatment.
Anyone with swollen lips should see a doctor if they are experiencing severe symptoms, such as those associated with anaphylaxis. Most cases of swollen lips do not require emergency care, however, and will often go away on their own within a few days. Identifying the underlying cause of swollen lips is essential.