Allergy sufferers, whose symptoms such as cough, runny nose, rash, weakness, abdominal pain intensify during the pollen season, often do not realize that such an increased reaction of the body is caused by cross-allergies, as a result of which the body rejects tolerance to many food products. Allergy is an excessive defensive reaction of the body, caused by allergens. Going further, cross-allergens are allergens that are completely different from each other and cause the same reaction of the immune system, especially when combined with each other. Thanks to the biochemical relationship of various substances, even the first contact with the appropriate cross-allergen can cause various allergic reactions in an allergic person – then a “cross-reaction” occurs. The reaction in question occurs when the allergen other, than the one that causes sensitization leads to an allergic reaction. Cross-reactions often occur between pollen and foods. It works in such a way that a person allergic to e.g. birch pollen who tolerates chocolate in autumn (outside the pollen season) experiences an allergic reaction to trace amounts of nut allergens contained in the same chocolate during the period of intensive birch pollen. Or vice versa. A person who does not tolerate, for example, kiwi, during the flowering of grass, reacts allergically to grass. In autumn or winter, however, she does not experience any other allergic complaints.
Hell birchAllergy sufferers, next to grasses, cereals, mugwort, are most often allergic to birch pollen and birch is most often combined with foods, causing food intolerance. People allergic to birch pollen should watch out for the following products: stone fruit (apple, pear), kiwi, carrot, celery, tomato, curry spice. A cross-reaction may (but does not have to, with these products the interaction is not so high) occur after eating plum, peach, mango, orange, soybean, paprika, pepper, cumin. If two allergens enter the body at the same time, e.g. birch pollen and apple, this can lead to an occurrence asthma symptomsand even in the worst case anaphylactic shock. People with cross-allergy most often complain of general weakness, trouble concentrating or dizziness, as well as burning mouth, itchy palate, swelling or numbness of the oral mucosa (lips and gums). Such symptoms are characteristic of oral allergy syndrome. It is estimated that it occurs in 80% of people allergic to birch pollen.
And take trawaGrass pollen in spring is a real nightmare for allergy sufferers. In addition, they also very often cross with other allergens – food allergens. Allergy sufferers at this time should avoid eating kiwi, melon, raw tomato, flour. It is possible that they will also feel bad after eating stone fruits, celery, onions and even rice. It should be remembered that all these products may or may not cause sensitization, but if an allergic person has a high sensitization rate to birch and grass pollen should pay special attention to what they eat because the symptoms of food intolerance may not appear immediately, but only after a few hours or even days.