Posted by Sudbury Northern Life 
Spring is here and so are the allergens.
For some, allergies are a part of life. For others, they are
not affected. For me, the worst part of the year is when the
birch is budding.
There are many who have the same problem and understand and
experience symptoms, such as a runny and stuffy nose, itchy
eyes, and/or asthma. As well, these people are more sensitive
to having hypersensitivity from eating and handling certain raw
fruits, vegetables and nuts.
You got it - allergies to certain foods are related to the
birch family causing symptoms in the mouth. These reactions are
due to a cross pollination and association between birch and
certain foods.
For the most part, this association is between birch and apple
and plum families, also potatoes and some nuts. The good news
is this reaction is unstable and quickly lost when the fruit is
heated or processed. The symptoms only usually present
themselves when the fruit is eaten raw. Many think removing the
skin will be sufficient to alter the symptoms - it won't.
Vegetables are the same in that most reactions, which are
caused in the raw state, will not be present once cooked.
Research has suggested, however, in a small group of people,
the consumption in any form may elicit a response.
So what are the symptoms? There is an almost immediate mouth
allergic response upon the consumption of the food, such as
itchiness or swelling in the mouth or lips or on the face, and
as severe as asthma (chest tightening, unable to breath), or
anaphylactic shock.
So what should be done? Avoid the food. Also have an allergy
documented by a physician and have treatment available in case
further reactions occur.
Skin testing can determine the degree of the allergy to these
foods. Taking antihistamines may keep the symptoms at bay. If
swelling or chest tightening is present, an epi-pen might be
required.
Birch allergies are associated with food allergies to: the
apples family (pears); plum family (almonds, apricots,
cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums and prunes); the parsley
family (carrots, celery, fennel and parsnips), potatoes, and
nuts (hazelnuts and walnuts). 
For those of you without birch allergies, but have sensitivity
to grasses, then melons, tomatoes or oranges may cause some
grief. For those allergic to ragweed, bananas and melons could
be problematic.
It's important to know your allergies and the severity. You
might say, well I have allergies but not to food. Don't be
so sure. Our eight-year-old son had a severe first-time
reaction to fresh cherries this winter, with no previous
difficulties - so this spring might be a different experience
when the birch trees blossom. 
Karen Hourtovenko, RN(EC), is a health and wellness consultant from Sudbury who writes columns about healthy living for Northern Life.
