I was disappointed in your program topic: "Allergies". I know there are many different allergies but the one that has made my life change for ever is called "Oral Allergy Syndrome" if I eat the wrong item my mouth and tongue become start swelling and most often end up in anaphalaxsis and a trip to the emergency room. Once we had front row seats for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Mr. McGraw had a bad throat and was chewing lemons. I had a chance of a lifetime for him to shake my hand...I was so excited my hands went up to my mouth and I took a huge breath in. This was the first and only time I thought I was going to die! An ambulance was called when it wasn't coming fast enough the EMT's at the facility stop an ambulance in the street so they could rush me to the ER. Another time I walked into a pharmacy, when someone accidentally sprayed pepper spray again I started coughing and had a hard time breathing. This was the first time I could actually feel the epenephrine start to work so I could breathe better. I even went into anaphylaxsis when I was being tested for allergic reactions to beech tree, birtch tree, and carrotts. I loved fruits and vegetables so much and now I am affraid to eat any of them. I have put back on the weight I had lost and my life has changed drasticly.

For some people, seasonal allergy symptoms may be made worse by consuming fresh fruits or vegetables due to "oral allergy syndrome" (OAS), according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

OAS is caused by allergens in the air such as ragweed, which begins to bloom around August 15. "The pollen released from ragweed is the airborne allergen primarily responsible for the onslaught of allergy symptoms in the fall," said Clifford W. Bassett, MD, FAAAAI. "For the 36 million people suffering from ragweed allergies, it is important to know about pollen-food syndrome, also known as oral allergy syndrome. The most frequent symptoms of OAS include itchiness, swelling and hives affecting the mouth, face/lip and throat area. If not properly managed, these symptoms can take a heavy toll on an allergy sufferer's quality of life," Bassett concluded.

Oral allergy syndrome may occur in up to one-third of individuals with seasonal allergies and results from a cross-reactivity between seasonal airborne pollen proteins (i.e. tree, grass, weed) with similar proteins that are found in various fresh fruits and vegetables. Common symptoms include itchiness, tingling and/or swelling of the mouth, tongue and throat, immediately after eating fresh fruits, vegetables and other foods. Individuals with ragweed pollen allergies might experience these symptoms when consuming foods.

Generally, if individuals with ragweed allergies experience any symptoms of OAS, they should avoid eating the foods listed above, especially during ragweed season. However, cooking the food will frequently reduce and/or eliminate a reaction, though this is not always the case. Sometimes, OAS can induce severe throat swelling or even a systemic reaction in a person who is highly allergic. If you have any food associated symptoms, see an allergist/immunologist for an appropriate evaluation, including diagnostic allergy tests which will determine whether or not you should avoid eating certain foods.

The web site for AAAAI represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Most doctors that I see have never even heard of this which was one reason I had hoped to see something about it on your program. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information through its Web site at www.aaaai.org.