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Sensitive to certain vegetables, fruit or nuts

Itching, tingling or mild swelling in the mouth and throat soon after raw fruit, raw vegetables or some nuts may be pollen-food syndrome, also called oral allergy syndrome. Proteins in the food resemble pollen you are allergic to. Symptoms are often local and cooked food is sometimes tolerated, but a primary food allergy may cause a more severe reaction. Have the pattern assessed and do not try a suspect food again yourself if you have had throat symptoms or a whole-body reaction.

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  • Symptoms soon after raw fruit, raw vegetables or some nuts may occur because food proteins resemble pollen. This is called pollen-food syndrome or oral allergy syndrome.
  • The most typical symptoms stay around the mouth and throat: itching, tingling and mild swelling. However, more serious reactions can occur, especially with nuts, soya, peanuts or symptoms beyond the mouth.
  • Heating breaks down some cross-reacting proteins, but it does not reliably protect you with every food. Do not try a suspect food at home after a severe reaction.
  • Diagnosis is based on the history, allergy tests and sometimes a supervised oral food challenge in a medical setting. A positive test alone does not prove that eating the food makes you ill.
  • Call Ambulance 912 for life-threatening breathing difficulty, throat swelling or fainting. For urgent symptoms outside office hours, call HAP 9252.

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Lichen planusLichen planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin or mucous membranes. It can affect the skin, mouth, genitals, scalp or nails. Symptoms are often not dangerous, but can last a long time and sometimes cause scarring or permanent damage. Oral and genital forms need monitoring, and follow-up matters in some forms because of a small risk of cancerous change.
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Hay feverHay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses or weeds. Typical symptoms are sneezing fits, a watery runny nose, an itchy nose or eyes and watering eyes. Symptoms are unpleasant but usually not dangerous. However, it matters to distinguish hay fever from breathlessness caused by asthma: wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath need extra attention and sometimes prompt assessment.
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AllergyAn allergy is a reaction to something that is usually harmless, such as food, pollen, house dust, animals, an insect sting or a medicine.