The Surprising Foods That Are Making Your Seasonal Allergies Worse

In most OAS sufferers, the reaction is mild and goes away as soon as the food is digested. But it can still be uncomfortable, especially if you don't know what's triggering the symptoms. Here are some foods that trigger OAS symptoms:

If you have seasonal allergies, watch out if you experience OAS symptoms when eating pitted fruit such as apples, peaches, nectarines, cherries, pears, and apricots. You might also want to stay away from melons like cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew, as well as tropical fruits like banana and kiwi. These are among the most common fruits that are responsible for this syndrome.

Fruits aren't the only foods that can aggravate allergy symptoms. Vegetables can be culprits, too; those known to trigger OAS include carrot, celery, zucchini, bell pepper, cucumber, onion, white potato, and Swiss chard.

Before you reach for the spice rack, you should consider how certain spices, herbs, and seeds can react with your seasonal allergies. Parsley, coriander, anise, fennel, sunflower, caraway, mustard, cumin, and dill can all induce unpleasant itchiness of the mouth and throat when pollen counts are high.

Peanuts and soybeans are two major triggers of OAS. If you're experiencing a reaction to peanuts, however, it would be prudent to consult with an allergist for proper evaluation, testing, and management to ensure that your reaction isn't indicative of a more deep-seeded food allergy.

If you're finding it hard to eat a lot of your favorite foods in the springtime, don't despair: You don't have to go completely without your fruits, veggies, spices, and nuts during allergy season. In many cases, cooking, baking, or microwaving the OAS-triggering foods can help to break down the food proteins that are responsible for the mouth and throat itchiness. Additionally, peeling the skin of your fruits (like apples and pears) can help reduce exposure to these proteins and decrease allergic reactions.