Cross-sensitization : birch pollen associated food allergy

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Birch pollen associated food allergy is a well known phenomenon of

cross-sensitization to birch allergens and food allergens. Foods most

frequently associated to birch pollen allery are apples, hazelnuts, peaches,

cherries, almonds, pears, carrots, and celery. However, most probably a

birch

sensitive individual is sensitized to only some of these food items. You

should see an allergist for evaluation of your suspected food allergy.

Matthias Besler, PhD

(matthias besler ONLINE PUBLISHER, Hamburg, Germany)

 

 

 

 

There are many fruits and vegetables frequently involved in Oral Allergy

Syndrome: apple, peach, hazelnut, peanut, apricot, almond, pear, tomato,

cherry, fennel, melon, orange, banana, carrot, potato, watermelon, chestnut,

pea, plum, celery and grape (according to an Italian Study). Foods

frequently

associated to apple allergy include peach, pear, and cherry. Moreover,

cross-

reactivity has been observed to kiwi fruit and celery. Birch and mugwort

pollens are associated in most cases.

 

Golden Delicious and Granny Smith contained higher amounts of allergens than

McIntosh and Red Delicious (Study USA). According to another study in Europe

the allergen content of different apple varieties decreased in the following

order: Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jona Gold, Idared, Gala, Jamba, and

Gloster.