Pollen Food Syndrome (also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome) is one of the most common — yet frequently misunderstood — food-related allergic conditions.

In this episode of Hope & Histamine, we unpack why people with hay fever or pollen allergy can experience itching, tingling, or swelling of the lips, mouth, and throat after eating certain fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

We explain:

• What Pollen Food Syndrome is and how it differs from true IgE-mediated food allergy
• The role of pollen–food cross-reactivity (birch, grass, and weed pollens)
• Common trigger foods and why symptoms often occur with raw but not cooked foods
• Typical symptoms, red flags, and when to seek specialist advice
• Practical, evidence-based tips for everyday management and reassurance for families

This episode is designed for patients, parents, and healthcare professionals, using clear language, real-world examples, and clinically accurate guidance to reduce anxiety and support informed decision-making.

Sources:

1. Al-Shaikhly, T. et al. (2024) ‘An International Delphi Consensus on the Management of Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee’, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 12(12), pp. 3242–3249.
2. Edwards, S.E. and Halton, F.F. (n.d.) ‘Pollen food syndrome’, pp. 1–6.
3. Eigenmann, P. and Ebisawa, M. (2022) ‘Editorial comments on: “Food allergy in early childhood increases the risk of pollen food allergy syndrome”’, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, [e-journal]. Available at: 10.1111/pai.13788.
4. Haidar, L. et al. (2025) ‘Pollen–Food Allergy Syndrome: Allergens, Clinical Insights, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges’, Applied Sciences, 15(1), 66.
5. Hamada, M. et al. (2025) ‘Evaluation of the incidence of systemic symptoms in PR-10-related pollen-food allergy syndrome in Western Japan’, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 36, e70104.
6. Kim, M. et al. (2019) ‘Clinical Manifestations and Risk Factors of Anaphylaxis in Pollen–Food Allergy Syndrome’, Yonsei Medical Journal, 60(10), pp. 960–968.
7. Mastrorilli, C. et al. (2016) ‘Endotypes of pollen-food syndrome in children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a molecular classification’, Allergy, 71, pp. 1181–1191.
8. Skypala, I.J. et al. (2022) ‘BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of pollen food syndrome in the UK’, Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 52(9), pp. 1018–1034.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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