UK: Fruit and vegetables add to hayfever misery
Research has shown that fruits and vegetables can lead to the one in four hay fever sufferers allergic to birch pollen, having worsened symptoms.
Proteins in certain foods mimic birch pollen and the body responds the same way. Around 50% of those who are allergic to birch pollen will also maybe an allergic reaction to such foods as apples, pears, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, kiwis, potatoes, carrots, celery, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts and peanuts.
Similarly people allergic to grass pollen may also get a reaction after consuming tomatoes and melon, as well as cereal crops.
The problem with this is that, whilst hayfever is confined to the pollination period of whatever plant triggers the sufferer's allergy, allergy via consumption can last all year round.
Lindsey McManus, of Allergy UK, said: "A food that shares similar proteins as the pollen can cause an allergic reaction, such as an itchy mouth, swelling or tingling of lips and tongue."
Currently, however, around 25% of all sufferers are unaware that foods can trigger such a reaction.
Source: www.express.co.uk
