Summer is upon us, and this means one thing – hayfever. As always, pollen is our prime and only suspect.
For those of you who live each day at pollen's mercy, there's an unexpected side-effect. People with hayfever could also develop allergies to common fruits and vegetables. If you’ve ever noticed a tingly sensation in your mouth after biting raw carrots, apples, banana, celery, kiwi and any of the food mentioned here, you could have 'oral allergy syndrome'.
You might have noticed this before and never connected it with your summertime sneezing fits. After all, why on earth would they have anything to do your mouth tingling after biting into a harmless banana?
The science behind it is that most people who have OAS are also allergic to plant pollens, and many of the fruit or vegetables mentioned also contain proteins similar to that in pollen. It’s called ‘cross-reactivity’ as your immune system makes the connection between pollen and the pollen in fruit.
The signs are itching or swelling of the mouth, lip, tongue or throat - is this you? Does kiwi make you feel funny when you eat it? Does your mouth go numb when you eat apples with peanut butter because you're oh so wellness? Antihistamines can also help to relieve mild symptoms, or it's advised that you cook the fruits and vegetables that set your mouth off before eating. We hate to disappoint but you might have to put that apple down. Sorry...
Discover more natural hayfever remedies...
DISCOVER: Natural hayfever remedies
1 of 6Eat lots of Vitamin C
Oranges, lemons, limes – basically all citrus fruits – eat 'em! They have been proven to prevent the secretion of histamine, and as they also contain bioflavonoids – which have strong anti-allergy effects – they work as antihistamines too.
2 of 6Choose chilli
Got a blocked and bunged up nose? Chomp on a chilli – that should clear it. (Or, you know, just eat some curry.)
3 of 6Wear cucumber patches
Might look silly, but when they cure those itchy eyes – WHO'S LAUGHING NOW? The cucumber's got to be fridge-cold though.
4 of 6Eat more honey
Apparently the bee pollen in honey can (we said 'can') de-sensitise your body to other pollens too. Worth a try – especially if the only solution to your early morning sneezing fit is to chomp on a gigantic croissant.
5 of 6Drink chamomile tea
Chamomile contains flavonoids and as such, is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Best drunk as tea, but can be used as an eyes compress too.
6 of 6Remember good old Vaseline
Dab a spot beneath your nostrils to catch that pollen trying to get in. Can't hurt, can it?!