What is Oral Allergy Syndrome? Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions 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). National Jewish Health allergist, Carah Santos, MD explains more. Related Videos What’s the Secret to Surviving Spring Allergies? How To Avoid Nighttime Allergies and Sleep Better Wet Wraps Cut Need For Drugs In Kids With Eczema Learn How to Use an EpiPen -- It Could Save a Life Eczema and Bathing What Causes Eczema? What is Eczema and How Is it Treated? Tips to Help Kids Cope with the Emotional Challenges of Eczema 6 Nasal Rinse Myths Busted All You Need to Know About Allergies What Are Hives and What Can You Do About Them? What Are Pollen Allergies and How Can You Manage Them? What Is the Allergic March? What Are Pet Allergies and How Do You Live with Them? When Harmless Molds Cause Allergic Reactions What You Need to Know About Dust Mite Allergy How is Drug Allergy Different Than Drug Intolerance? Home Treatment for Insect Stings & Bites Insect Sting Allergies: What You Need to Know Transcript Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) is a condition that occurs in a subset of patients who suffer from seasonal allergies. In these patients, the ingestion of certain raw fruits and raw vegetables and sometimes nuts leads to immediate symptoms pretty much localized just to the mouth and throat. Avoidance of the raw fruits, vegetables and nuts that tend to cause these symptoms is recommended. Interestingly, in Oral Allergy Syndrome, many patients who cannot tolerate the raw fruit and vegetable form of certain foods, often are able to tolerate the cooked, processed and or peeled forms of these foods. Simply because cooking, processing and peeling may denature and or eliminate the proteins that look so similar to the pollens that we’re allergic to. It is important to note, that while nuts may be a trigger of Oral Allergy Syndrome, nuts can also be a trigger for a more serious food allergy that can potentially lead to serious reactions and anaphylaxis. So if you develop mild symptoms specifically with nuts, it’s important to talk to your primary care physician or allergist to rule out the possibility of a more serious food allergy. Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: