Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition

Hay fever sufferers are more likelytohaveallergicreactions to fruit and veg, according to new research commissioned for National Allergy Week It’s not just airborne pollen that’s set to make allergy suffer- ers’ lives a misery this spring. If you experience hay fever, you’re more likely to suffer from a simi- lar, less well known, allergic re- action called Oral Allergy Syn- drome. It’s caused by your body mistaking proteins in your food for the same pollens that make you all sniffly, and reacting against them too. As many as 40 per cent of hay fever sufferers are thought to be at risk of allergic reactions to foods with similar properties to tree and grass pollen. And sur- prisingly, the foods containing these are some of our healthiest diet choices. Fruit, vegetables, nuts and spices can all be cul- prits. The good news, according to Lindsey McManus from Allergy UK,isthatthisallergicreactionis similar to most people’s experi- ence of hay fever - annoying but not particularly serious. It’s not the same thing as food intoler- anceandifyouexperienceaseri- ous allergic reaction to these foods, it’s probably not Oral Al- lergy Syndrome. “It’s worth be- ing aware of the symptoms, but we definitely aren’t suggesting anyone cuts some of these great food groups from their diet as there are plenty of ways you can reduce their effect so you still get all the benefits.” Symptoms and treatment Oral Allergy Syndrome usu- ally manifests in your mouth, throat and sometimes lips, as a tingling, swelling or itching. Generally it will go away on its own in around half an hour and rinsingyourmouthwithcoldwa- ter or drinking a warm drink of- ten does the trick. If you’re still feeling itchy, try an antihista- mine. If you’re very allergic, swellingcanbemoreseriousand ifitaffectsyourbreathing,callan ambulance immediately. This is rare and suggests you have something more serious that Oral Allergy Syndrome. If you have an epi-pen, use it as neces- sary. Foods The worst offenders are ap- ples, peaches, pears, cherries, carrots, raw tomatoes, melons, and celery. Nuts, particularly hazelnut,canalsobethecauseas can some spices such as corian- der and cumin. Prevention You can reduce the chance of reacting to foods by cooking them so heat breaks down the proteins. Or try leaving the food for ten minutes after chopping it up. DT DENTALTRIBUNE Middle East & Africa Edition News 3 Exclusive Distributor : Pharmapal Drug Store Tel +971 4 2675001, PO Box 37345 Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.pharmapaluae.com ‘Healthy’ food gives you hay fever