Allergic reaction to certain fruits, vegetables, & nuts?

Question

This began when I was about 10 years old (I'm 32 now), but more recently I seem to be growing sensitive to an increasing number of things. Whenever I talk to people about the reaction I get, they look at me like I've got some abnormal condition--they've never heard of it before.

Essentially, certain fresh fruits, vegetables, & nuts will make my entire mouth (gums, throat, sometimes lips if I've they're chapped or cracked [faster access of the food to the bloodstream], or inside of my cheeks)itchy & sometimes I detect some swelling. So far I've noticed a reaction to: apples, pears, peaches, plums, carrots (not always), tomatoes (not always), avocado (not always), soymilk (but NOT with roasted soybeans), seaweed, strawberries(not always), almonds, walnuts, pecans, & possible some other nuts I've forgotten.

Only seems to occur with raw/unprocessed items: I can eat frozen, cooked, dried, or canned fruit & veggies, & roasted nuts.

What's in the uncooked foods causing this?

Answer 1

I used to have this too. It is called oral allergy syndrome. I could eat apples, pears, peaches,onions, and berries but all the other raw fruits and vegetables I was allergic to. It is related to pollen allergies. I went and got allergy desensitation shots because my pollen allergies were so bad. After being on the shots for five years my allergy to raw fruits and vegetables went away. Now I can eat a salad! I can even eat watermelon. It used to be that just getting the juice on my hands would make me break out in a rash.

Answer 2

It could be you are having an allergic reaction to something that was used in growing the food. A pesticide or a chemical they could be sprayed on it for growth enhancement and not the fruit itself. Wash the fruit or vegetable an extra amount. Could explain why you sometimes have a reaction and sometimes not, since some may or may not be treated while growing. Cooking the food more than likely has helped to remove the product from the fruit or vegetable.

Answer 3

My wife is allergic to some preservatives. Her mouth will swell up if she eats one of those bagged salads for example. You want to be careful since allergies can be very dangerous. I have ended up in the emergency room twice and nearly didn't make it. It sounds like you are reaching the threshold for some allergic reaction. Be careful that you don't let it get worse. Try cleaning it very well and if it persists, you see an allergy doctor and / or stop eating those things that make you react in my opinion. I am allergic to uncooked broccoli but don't know why. When it is cooked, I can eat it but hate it anyway.

Answer 4

I have this, too! I did an informal study (by myself!) and learned that many of the fruits I am allergic to have origins to birch pollen. I can eat cooked or baked fruits, but not raw - I am allergic to cherries, plums, strawberries, apples, pears, peaches and sometimes watermelon. I wish I knew how to get rid of it - now that I have kids, it's really hard not to eat fruit (and it's so good for you!).

Good luck...

Answer 5

I have heard of that before, it is perhaps an enzyme in the fresh food that is removed by cooking or canning the food. Just steam the vegetables lightly and the nutrients will stay intact. Toast the nuts in a dry skillet and cool. Lightly stew the fruit. The soy-milk, you just might have to change to rice or almond milk. You might be allergic to soy.

Answer 6

Go see a doctor or allergies soon, because if it gets worse, it can close your throat and you can't breathe. Try scrubbing the fruit & veggies very well under soapy hot water.