Apple allergies can occur, especially in people who are allergic to birch tree pollen.
Up to 8% of children and 3% of adults may experiencefood allergies, including reactions to apples.
The main allergens in apples are the proteinsMal D1toMal D4, withMal D1being the most common trigger among them.
Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou
These reactions usually happen after eating raw apples, while gastrointestinal symptoms are rare.
The severity of these symptoms can vary based on the throw in of apple and its ripeness.
In very severe cases, apple allergy can lead to a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
It is often triggered by proteins in the apple that resemble those in pollen, particularly birch pollen.
OAS is common, affecting about 1 in 3 people with seasonal allergies.
Unlike a true allergy, OAS is more a case of mistaken identity.
Frequency
Apples are not considered one of the “big 9” major food allergens.
However, they are one of the most common fruit allergies, and can still cause severe allergic reactions.
Apples are the most common food allergy in Korea and Japan and the third most common in China.
They are also a major allergy in Central-Northern Europe.
However, most people with apple allergy symptoms actually have OAS due to cross-reactivity with birch pollen.
Symptoms of OAS are usually mild and only felt in the mouth, lips, or tongue.
Oral allergy syndrome symptomstypically include:
OAS symptoms tend to be more surprising than irritating.
True apple allergy symptomsaffect more than the mouth.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires urgent care.
Do not hesitate to call 911 at the first sign of anaphylaxis.
Why Can’t I Eat Apples Anymore?
Apple allergy can develop suddenly, even in those who have never had a problem with apples before.
This shift may occur if there is an increase in birch pollen in your environment.
If you have a true apple allergy, you will need to avoid apples in all forms.
If you ever have symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 or get emergency medical care immediately.
This reaction is not like a true apple allergy and is more similar to a pollen allergy.
2021 Jun;11(4).
doi:10.1002/clt2.12032
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Anaphylaxis.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Oral allergy syndrome.
