Are Fruits and Vegetables Making Your Mouth Itchy? You May Have Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions This information has been reviewed and approved by Carah Santos, MD (June 2022). Summary: Are Fruits and Vegetables Making Your Mouth Itchy? If your mouth or throat gets itchy when you eat certain raw foods and you have pollen allergies, then you may have oral allergy syndrome (OAS). OAS is an allergic reaction to fruits and vegetables that have similar proteins to certain pollens. Foods That May Cause Oral Allergy Syndrome: Apple, Apricot, Carrot, Celery, Cherry, Kiwi, Peach, Pear, Plum, Almond and Hazelnut Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Orange, Tomato, Watermelon Banana, Cantaloupe, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber, Honeydew, Peach, Watermelon, Zucchini Allergy: Spring tree pollen: Birch Summer grass pollen: Timothy & Orchard Fall weed pollen: Mugwort & Ragweed Signs: Itching or swelling of the mouth, lip, tongue, or throat OAS is an allergic reaction to fruits and vegetables that have similar proteins to certain pollens. Tips and Treatment: Avoid raw foods that cross-react with your pollen allergens. Take oral antihistamine medications to relieve mild symptoms. Bake or cook foods to degrade the protein and eliminate the cross reaction. Eat canned fruits or vegetables during your pollen season. Peel the food as the protein is often concentrated in the skin. Call an allergist when OAS symptoms get worse or occur when eating nuts. More Information on Oral Allergy Syndrome Oral Allergy Syndrome Food Allergy Overview Food Allergy Recommendations Food Allergy-Safe Recipes General Nutrition Tips Food Allergy Treatment Program Pediatric Food Allergy Program Allergy Treatment Programs (Pediatric & Adult) Eczema Overview How do Allergies Develop? Allergy Symptoms What Are Allergens? Types of Allergies Diagnosing Allergies Treating Allergies Global Warming Making Spring Allergies Bloom Earlier Spring Allergy Tips Steps to Get Ahead of the Spring Allergy Season Surviving Spring Allergies Summer Allergy Tips Tips to Avoid and Treat Insect Stings Division of Pediatric Allergy & Clinical Immunology Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology Find a Doctor Make an Appointment Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: