Itchy mouth, tight throat: cross-reactivity between peanut and pollen

Possible mechanism

Pollen and some plant-based foods contain proteins with similar structures. So people with pollen allergy may get itching, stinging or mild swelling in the mouth and throat when they eat certain raw foods. This is often called oral allergy syndrome. Cross-reactivity may also exist between peanut and some pollens. The exact situation differs from person to person.

Symptoms range from mild to severe

Most people have only local discomfort in the mouth. It often appears soon after eating and may ease after heating. But some people get hives, vomiting, or even difficulty breathing — reactions affecting the whole body. So you should not treat "just an itchy mouth after eating" as a sign of safety, especially if you have had a more serious reaction before.

What to do

• Record the food, whether it was raw or cooked, the symptoms and the time of each episode, and give this to your doctor at follow-up visits
• If you feel discomfort in your mouth, stop eating, rinse your mouth and watch closely
• If you have a tight throat, difficulty breathing, hives all over the body, dizziness or similar signs, call 120 (the emergency number in China) right away
• Let a doctor assess whether you need further tests and dietary advice. Do not widen your list of foods to avoid on your own

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.