Jul 20, 2009 10:35 pm US/Central
Puzzling Increase In Produce Allergies
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Salmaan Bokhari suffers from severe allergies to plums.
CBS
If you have allergies, you probably check the pollen counts every day. But now you may need to check something else: your refrigerator. As CBS 2's Anne State reports, doctors say more patients are having problems with produce, and exactly why this is happening is still a puzzle.
Growing up in Glenview, 20-year old Salmaan Bokhari says he was the only one in his family who didn't have allergies.
"Like my mother, brother, sister, everyone was allergic to cats and dogs," Salmaan said. "I couldn't have a pet. I thought it was unfair."
Salmaan grew up eating fruit but then a few years ago, when he came into his kitchen and ate some plums, his throat swelled up.
"When you can't breathe it's like the most horrible feeling in the world," said Salmaan. He ended up in Lutheran General Hospital.
"We were scared," said Bokhari's father.
As a kid -- Salmaan was never allergic to plums. The allergy showed up later. This is not uncommon says, Dr. Mary Kay Tobin, Director of the Allergy Clinical Services at Rush University Medical Center."
"They're stunned, because this just really didn't occur to them," said Dr. Tobin.
Tobin says in some areas, fruits and vegetables have developed what's called a "protective protein." These proteins look very similar to tree, grass or weed pollen.
So if you're allergic to pollen you may be allergic to certain produce. She says she's seeing more cases of fruit and vegetable allergies.
"There's something different in the environment that has caused these changes in the plants," said Dr. Tobin.
Some believe it's the plant's way of coping with things like climate change or pesticides.
Whatever the reason, The American Academy Of Allergy Asthma and Immunology says some people who are allergic to ragweed become allergic to fruits like melons and bananas. People who are allergic to grass may begin to have a problem with tomatoes and oranges. Some people who are allergic to birch pollen can become allergic to potatoes, carrots, celery, and even apples.
Salmaan does not suffer from a pollen allergy, but Dr. Tobin says that up to half of all people who do may at some point develop allergies to fruits and vegetables.
Salmaan is just glad he doesn't have to give up peanut butter, which is one of his favorite foods but a common allergen for many people.
"I have something really rare, but it's easy to avoid by not eating... plums," said Salmaan.
Allergies to fresh fruits and vegetables fall under what's called oral allergy syndrome. Symptoms are usually itching and burning of the lips, mouth and tongue. But, for some people, it can be much more serious. Dr. Tobin says some patients report fewer problems with organic produce or cooked fruits and vegetables.
Click here for a list of all the produce associated with allergies to pollens.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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