This is why eating a kiwi sometimes causes pain or itching

Think you’re doing the right thing by eating a kiwi, only to be rewarded with pain or itching in your mouth? Sound familiar? Then there’s a good chance you have Oral Allergy Syndrome, or OAS.

That chance is even greater if you also suffer from hay fever. The allergic reaction can occur when proteins in raw vegetables, fruit or nuts cross-react with pollen. Some types of vegetables, fruit and nuts contain proteins that closely resemble proteins in pollen. Your body can barely tell the difference. This is also known as a cross-allergy.

A charming look: a sniffly head and red eyes from hay fever, and swollen lips from a kiwi. Some people really get the worst of it.

Harmless

OAS certainly doesn’t only occur when you eat kiwis. Stone fruit, tomatoes and walnuts, for example, can also trigger OAS reactions. Oh, and swollen lips aren’t the only physical reaction you can experience. Itching is possible too, as is a burning or tingling sensation in your mouth. In principle, none of this is particularly dangerous. It usually goes away after about an hour.

Are you experiencing more serious symptoms? For example, are you having trouble breathing or feeling dizzy? Then you may be having a more severe allergic reaction. In that case, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. You can find more (medical) information about this on thuisarts.nl.

Bake (or cook) that bite

If you think kiwis are absolutely (green) amazing but get OAS reactions when you eat them, you can simply continue eating them. The same naturally applies if you get such reactions from other types of vegetables, fruit or nuts. OAS is essentially harmless. The ultimate tip for experiencing few or no OAS symptoms? Heat the vegetable or fruit first. For example, someone with OAS triggered by apples who eats a warm apple turnover won’t experience any symptoms. So get baking (or cooking)!

Bromelain

A tingling sensation when eating pineapple probably has a different cause. In that case, bromelain is the culprit. Bromelain is an enzyme that, in short, breaks down proteins on your tongue and in the mucous membrane of your cheeks. Because pineapple is also acidic, this causes extra tingling. The fresher your pineapple, the more it tingles: in this case, choose canned (and that rhymes).

Also read:

• 5x fruit and vegetable peels you shouldn’t throw away
• Make this right away: this boozy pineapple for adults provides instant refreshment
• You don’t have an allergy, you’re just a whiner

Sources: AD, thuisarts.nl