Never heard of this…

The itchy or tingling sensation that can follow eating strawberries is often a sign of a condition called Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS). This happens when the immune system mistakenly confuses certain proteins in fruits and vegetables with common pollen allergens. In strawberries, these proteins can cause a mild immune response, which leads to that itchy or tingling feeling in the mouth and throat.

Understanding the Symptoms

OAS symptoms typically appear very quickly, often within a few minutes of eating raw fruits or vegetables. You might notice your child complain of itching or tingling in their lips, tongue, throat, or the inside of their mouth. Sometimes, there might even be a little swelling of the lips or tongue. The good news is that these symptoms are usually temporary and fade away quickly once the food is swallowed or removed from the mouth. However, it’s crucial for parents to stay alert for more serious signs—such as trouble breathing or swallowing—which could indicate a more severe allergic reaction.

Pollen-Fruit Cross-Reactivity: The Main Culprit

One of the key reasons strawberries can trigger OAS is a phenomenon known as pollen-fruit cross-reactivity. Many fruits, including strawberries, have proteins that are similar to those found in certain pollens. For instance, a child who is allergic to birch pollen might also react to strawberries. In these cases, their immune system mistakes the proteins in the fruit for pollen, causing that distinct itchy sensation in the mouth.

Interestingly, cooking or processing strawberries can change these proteins,Continue reading…