Itchy mouth with raw vegetables and fruit?

Question

Alright, so I love fruits and vegetables, but the problem is, with raw ones, with the exception of really acidic ones, my mouth starts to itch whenever I eat them, including with soy milk. I am on the transition to becoming vegan and this is an issue. I have heard people saying that there is something in raw fruits and vegetables that people can be allergic to that cooks out. It is more annoying than risky, except with melon, even watermelon which is alot water I get a swollen throat, but with everything else I can deal with it, it is just super irritating, has anyone heard of this before? Anyone know what I can do?

Answer 1

Yes, I have heard of it. I used to have it also. I could not eat salad. Just getting the juice of a watermelon on my skin made me break out in a rash. It is called oral allergy syndrome. It is usually linked with pollen allergies. Mine went away after five years of desensitation shots for my pollen allergies. Now I can even eat a watermelon with no problem.

Answer 2

You probably are having an allergic reaction to the particular raw Fruits and Vegies you are eating. Maybe you should wash them in that cleanser they have at some grocery stores. You could also ask the doctor if there is something to ease the reactions you have. I for instance am allergic to every tree nut imaginable with possibly no cure. Except peanuts for some strange reason.

Answer 3

I used to be the same way, except that I was also allergic to lettuce. Even getting watermelon juice on my skin made me break out in a rash. I now know that what I had is called oral allergy syndrome. It is related to pollen allergies. Do you also get hay fever? I went to an allergist and had desensitization shots for my many pollen allergies. After being on the shots for five years, my allergy to raw fruits and vegetables went away! Now I can actually eat salad and even watermelon.

Answer 4

If you eat fruits like apples, and watermelon raw. You should be fine. Those are types of fruits that you can eat raw. Some vegies are good for you raw too. Like carrots and stuff. Now if the situation becomes worse. It might be time to go to the doctor.

Answer 5

If you have an allergy to food, even a throat irritation, you need to be careful. Food allergies can act out in other ways, as well, such as mood swings, arrhythmia, and other medical problems.

Your body also needs a balance of foods. Too much of any one thing can be bad for you. Yes. Even vegetables.

Quote from medicinenet.com: "People who have food allergies must identify and prevent them because, although usually mild and not severe, these reactions can cause devastating illness and, in rare instances, be fatal."

Answer 6

It's possible that if your food is being treated with pesticides or chemical fertilizers, then it may not be completely washed off before you eat it. Try washing them very well or peeling them to rule this out.

If you're allergic to soy, you might have a general nut allergy.

Go to an allergist to check this out.

Answer 7

FOOD Allergy is principally addressed via DIET.

A Blood Test for Immedicate and Delayed FOOD Allergy is avail via your Prime Dr.

Itchy Mouth may be tied to Produce, Ragweed

Aug. 2006--Does your mouth or throat become itchy after eating fresh fruits or vegetables during this time of the year? For the 36 million people suffering from ragweed allergies, it is important to know about pollen-food syndrome, also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), caused by allergens such as ragweed, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

Each year, ragweed begins to bloom around August 15. "The pollen released from ragweed is the airborne allergen most responsible for the onslaught of allergy symptoms at this time of year," said Suzanne S. Teuber, MD, FAAAAI, chair of the AAAAI's Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee. "In addition to sneezing and itchy, watery eyes, and symptoms of OAS, ragweed allergies can take a heavy toll on the allergy sufferer's quality of life."

Oral allergy syndrome results from a cross-reactivity reaction between allergy antibodies directed towards pollen proteins with similar proteins that are found in other parts of plants. Itchiness of the mouth and throat with mild angiodema (swelling) immediately after eating fresh fruits or vegetables are common symptoms of OAS. Individuals with ragweed allergies might experience these symptoms when consuming foods such as:

· Banana
· Cucumber
· Melon
· Zucchini
· Sunflower seeds
· Chamomile tea
· Echinacea

Oral allergy syndrome is also common in people with birch tree pollen allergies. Foods that can trigger a reaction in people with this allergy are:

· Peach
· Apple
· Pear
· Cherry
· Carrot
· Hazelnut
· Kiwi
· Almonds

Generally, cooking the food will eliminate a reaction, but not always. Sometimes, it is possible for the OAS to induce severe throat swelling or even a systemic reaction in a person who is highly allergic or is allergic to the stable proteins in the food.

When to see a Physician

The AAAAI's How the Allergist/Immunologist Can Help: Consultation and Referral Guidelines Citing the Evidence provide information to assist patients and health care professionals.

Patients should see a Physician if they:

· Have prolonged or severe symptoms of rhinitis.
· Have symptoms interfering with quality of life and/or ability to function.
· Have experienced allergic symptoms (urticaria, angiodema, itch, wheezing, gastrointestinal responses) in association with food exposure.
· Have limited their diet based upon perceived adverse reactions to foods or additives.
· Experience an itchy mouth from raw fruits and vegetables.
· Have found medications to be ineffective or have had adverse reactions to medications.
· Are a child with allergic rhinitis, because ImmunoTherapy may potentially prevent the development of asthma.

Answer 8

Allergic reactions =p

I get them too. Watermelon and pineapple are the worst.

Answer 9

the same thing happened to me. when eating fruits i get a weird feeling in my mouth. doctors said that have an allergic reaction called itchymouthistosis. ask your doctors about this.

Answer 10

maybe you want to sprinkle some salt on the acidic fruits and veg, it may help reduce the itch and swollen throat.