GP warns of food allergy that may be mistaken for hay fever

As the warm arrives, it's aways nice to be able to sit back and relax in your or local park - but with the sunshine can come hayfever. All hayfever sufferers will know too well the symptoms it can have - but one GP has warned the symptoms may not be from pollen.

While the symptoms are almost identical, it's important to know the difference between having symptoms and having pollen food allergy symptoms according to Dr Sabah Salman, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, as pollen food allergies can be serious.

Pollen food syndrome is also known as 'oral allergy syndrome' a pollen food syndrome (PFS) is a "hypersensitivity reaction to plant based foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts" according to the doctor. "When people with this condition eat these foods in their raw form, it can cause mild irritant symptoms including itching of the mouth, lips and throat."

The expert said it can affect around one in 50 adults in the UK and it often occurs in those who suffer from spring or summertime hayfever - but is not always the case.

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"Many plant based foods, such as fruit and cereals, have a protein structure that is very similar in shape to the pollen in the sorts of trees, grasses and weeds that cause . Your immune system doesn't always recognise the difference between the pollen you breathe in from things like trees, and the pollen structure in the plant-based foods you eat.

"Essentially, pollen food syndrome results when the immune system recognises the food protein you eat as an allergen and creates an allergic reaction, resulting in similar symptoms to ."

Foods to look out for include fresh fruit, raw vegetables and raw nuts are all the kinds of foods that trigger pollen food symptoms.

However the expert said almost any fruit, vegetable or nut can cause a reaction, in particular, raw apples, fresh peaches, kiwi, hazelnuts and almonds which are common triggers and advised that those with pollen fruit syndrome will need to avoid four plant foods.

Symptoms are usually mild and tend to happen within 10 minutes of eating the allergic food - and these symptoms can include redness, itching and mild swelling of the lips, tongue, inside of the mouth, ears and throat. "Some people notice symptoms just from food preparation. For example, food particles in the air can trigger sneezing, a runny nose and eye irritation, and peeling fruit and vegetables may cause skin irritation.

"Although rare, more extreme symptoms like nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, and breathing difficulties can occur. Of course, in this case you should always seek urgent medical treatment."

If you do have a reaction, Dr Salman said mild PFS symptoms will settle within an hour, without treatment and all you will need to do is "stop eating the food, and drink some water to stop the symptoms".

However, if you're concerned or your symptoms are unpleasant, you could also take a non-sedative antihistamine.

The doctor added: "If you have taken an antihistamine but your symptoms are not improving, you should seek medical advice. If you have a food allergic reaction which affects your breathing or circulation, for example, causing faintness, do not rely on antihistamines or an asthma inhaler. Instead, speak to a medical provider urgently."

Reactions can be prevented by avoiding the allergenic food in its raw form or other triggers. Once well cooked or tinned, the allergens will have been denatured and should not cause an issue. "This means a soup containing allergic food may not cause symptoms but a stir-fried vegetable - which has been very gently cooked - may be an issue.

"Some people also find that they can tolerate certain varieties of the same food. For example, one variety of apple may cause reactions, whereas another may not. If food preparation triggers your symptoms, wearing gloves or peeling allergic foods under running water can be an effective workaround."

Dr Salman also urged those who have been prescribed allergy treatment for other allergies such as asthma and hayfever, they must keep taking these as this will "help to control symptoms of pollen food syndrome" and if you've experienced a severe reaction in the past, such as anaphylaxis or breathing difficulties, you may also be prescribed an adrenaline pen.

"Anaphylaxis can cause swelling of the lips and tongue, breathing problems, collapse, and loss of consciousness. In some cases, anaphylaxis causes death, meaning it must always be treated as a medical emergency," the expert explained.

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