Oral Allergy Syndrome

Are you allergic to certain foods?  My wife is. She is allergic to most fruits and vegetables. Sounds crazy doesn’t it. People who suffer from allergies to foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, and who have their allergic reactions largely in the mouth may be suffering from something called Oral Allergy Syndrome.  The term Oral Allergy Syndrome was first used in 1987 and, at that time, referred to people who had pollen sensitivity as well.  Now the term can be used to describe anyone with food allergies, who have symptoms in the mouth, regardless of pollen sensitivity.  Patients with this type of allergy will generally have a feeling of burning or itching in the oral cavity or throat as well as, possibly, the ear canal.  Diagnosis is often made though taking a thorough history, and then reintroducing the foods one at a time after they have been eliminated from the diet to see if, in fact, they cause a reaction.  Come to find out my wife isn't as wierd as I thought. The diagnosis is actually quite common among food-related allergies.