Millions of people deal with allergies brought on by different kinds of pollen. But did you know that eating certain fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices can also trigger a reaction?
It's called cross-reactivity, and it happens because the proteins in some foods are similar to those allergy-causing proteins in some pollen, according to the Mayo Clinic. Typically, it might cause the mouth to tingle or itch; in some people, pollen-food allergy syndrome, or oral allergy syndrome, can cause throat swelling or anaphylaxis. Cooking fruits and vegetables can help avoid a reaction.
Read on for foods to be wary of if you're pollen-sensitive.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Birch tree pollen is one source of spring pollen allergies. Trees release large amounts of pollen that can be distributed miles away, experts say.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
If you are allergic to birch pollen, you might also react to apples, celery, hazelnuts and raw potatoes.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Raw peaches and pears might also cause symptoms for people with birch pollen allergies.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Ragweed pollen is most often a problem in the fall, when it's blamed for numerous cases of hay fever. Ragweed season runs from August to November, but it seems to peak in mid-September in many areas, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
If you're allergic to ragweed pollen, bananas might be a problematic food for you.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Ragweed allergy? You might also react to watermelon, as well as cantaloupe and honeydew melons.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Summertime is when grass pollen allergies are at their worst. There are an estimated 1,200 varieties of grass, experts say, but only a small percentage, including Bermuda grass and Kentucky bluegrass, cause allergies.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
If you have a grass pollen allergy, be wary of oranges, peanuts and melons, including watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Tomatoes and white potatoes can also cause reactions for people with a grass pollen allergy.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Mugwort pollen, seen here under a microscope, is a perennial weed. It can grow up to 6 feet tall.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Those allergic to mugwort should be cautious with garlic, celery, onion and a variety of spices, including caraway seeds, parsley, coriander, anise seeds and fennel seeds.
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Pollen allergies? Watch out for these foods —
Carrots, bell peppers and apples might also cause cross-reactivity in people with mugwort pollen allergies.