REACTION TO RAW FRUITS

[Countrygirl66]

I have started having a reaction whenever I eat raw fruits or vegetables - My throat closes & my stomach feels like it turns hard as a rock.  Sometimes while slicing or handling raw fruit or vegetables - my hands will itch & break out in a rash.  It does not happen if the fruit or vegetable is cooked or processed - just in the raw form.
Is there anything that can be done to correct this?  I am willing to get tested to try to pinpoint why this is happening - but don't know where to start.

[myproblem]

Have you tried organic? Maybe you have developed a sensitivity to sometthing they treat it with.

[B_Johnson]

you may be allergic to pesticides or what ever the store you are buying your fruit from is spraying them with.

[nebi]

i have had the same problems for 40 years. I was told it isn't the fruit or veg. but what it is grown in, thats why you and I can eat cooked fruit.  I find it interesting that I can eat a banana only if it is milk.  Also I can eat a few grapes but they must be wash really well first. I don't break out on my skin from pealing but if the juice squirts in my eye, or I rub my eye after pealing, especially potatoes, my eye swells up.  I never went to an allergist for this but they probably can help.  Good luck to you.  keep me posted. nebi

[CCAnnie]

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not alone, I too have an allergic type reaction to raw fruits and veggies.  I have tried organic, I've tried without pesticides, I've even grown my own in organic soil in my home and still had a reaction.  I did not always have this problem, in fact I ate mostly veggies till I became pregnant and about a year after my daughter was born I started having problems. In 2000 I had an extensive allergy test done and the results were real that I was truly having a reaction.  The doctor told me "just don't eat them", but geez that sucks, cause I love them.  I have heard that it could be a problem with the absorbtion in the intestines that could cause the problem.  If anyone has any suggestions I would really love to hear from you.

[nebi]

try this website...it might help
www.calgaryallergy.ca/Articles/English/Oral_Food_Allergy.htm

[Lizzielou7930]

I've always had problems with fruits and veggies, my parents thought I was crazy when I was little because I said that friut made my throat itch!!!! I mean who in their right mind doesn't like the taste of watermelon???? It wasn't until I was an adult that we were able to detemine it was a result of my ever annoying allergies. They've gotten worse with age too, and I've become horribly allergic to nuts....I've read a lot that allergies worsen with age, so if your throat or toungue is affected, beware-not good. The only thing I can do is eat these things cooked, and yes, it does suck...because I love the taste and health benefits of fruits and veggies, but.....I choose life:) Good luck to everyone!! Raw bad, cooked good!!

[AmberStarr]

Uhhh... allergies to raw vegetables and fruits  are completely common. It has nothing with the pesticides.

[Symphonee]

I have the same problem with fruits, veggies, and nuts.  I can eat them if they have been processed or cooked.  I saw a nutritionist and she said it's called "oral allergy syndrome" and there's limited research on it thus far.  Organics and fruit wash doesn't help because there's something in these items that cause the histamines in your body to flare.  I've experienced accidentally touching my eyes after eating these things, and it caused my eyes to itch, as well as the feeling of "itching/tingling" all the way down my esophagus into my stomach.  My allergic reactions usually consist of itchy throat, mouth, gums, lips, and face.  I've discovered that eating darker fruits and veggies cause a less severe reaction, and I can eat them in moderation, i.e. blueberries, red grapes, super ripe strawberries, spring mix salads with endives and baby lettuces.  I haven't found many nuts that I can do this with except cashews and peanuts.  My nutritionist suggested that I could take Benadryl to help with the itchiness, but I haven't found a good non-drowsy formula that would allow me to eat fruits and veggies while remaining functional throughout the day.  I'm not sure how severe your allergies are and if this would work for you.  I'm not a doctor, so don't quote me on taking the Benadryl, but maybe you could find a green veggie supplement to help make up for the missed nutrients.  I just wanted to share my experience, and what I know.  Hope this helps!    

[dai3symae]

I get oral allergy syndrome reaction to anything cooked in vegtable oil (which is usually soybean oil).  OAS can cross react with fruits/vegs in the birch pollen family (and others that I don't remember at the moment).

[FurballsMom]

I'm glad I found this forum.  It's nice to know what this is actually called and to know that I'm not alone.  People do think that itchy throat from eating melons is weird, but I don't because this happens to me, too.  I have had to avoid all these foods that I've become more sensitive and allergic to.  The itchy throat is only one of the symptoms.  All of these foods are things that I'm sensitive and allergic to, too.  I knew about the cross reaction to the birch pollen.  Mugwort is another cross reaction, if you're allergic to celery.  I have no idea what mugwort is, but I read that on another allergy forum.  It also involves the latex and celery allergies.  I do know that mugwort is often used medicinally, because I've heard of it being used in herbal medicine.  Since we have all these same allergies, then I would advise avoiding the use of mugwort as herbal medicine, because of cross reactions.  We already have so many allergies because of the common protein in the birch tree pollen.  That's the one allergy my allergist won't argue about, because it showed up on the skin scratch tests.

[fallenangeln]

I have the same problem and i done some research and found that its mostly related to people who have hay fever. I used to have just hay fever but when i was 10year old i stared to have raw vegi fruit reaction. vagi & fruits has some pollen present in them. but it most reactive at its raw/fresh form. The following might interest you to understand more if you want to. specially the first one.

Niti khanom chowdhury

http://www.news-medical.net/news/2801.aspx

http://www.calgaryallergy.ca/Articles/English/Oral_Food_Allergy.htm

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2007/12/11/a-pesky-allergy-to-fruit-and-vegetables.html

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthination/allergies.htm