It is a bit more common in people from Italy (about 16% of the population).
Also known as pollen fruit allergy syndrome (PFAS), the symptoms are due to cross-reactingallergens.
OAS is more common in adults and teens.
Verywell / Zorica Lakonic
Young children are usually not affected because it usually takes years for a cross-reaction to occur fromseasonal allergies.
This kind of reaction is sometimes called a food intolerance.
Is it possible to be allergic to tomatoes but not ketchup?
Persons with this bang out of allergy may not need to avoid ketchup.
Tomato Allergy Symptoms
True tomato allergies affect the skin, sinuses, eyes, and airways.
In rare cases, they can cause a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
True tomato allergy symptoms can include:
OAS symptoms tend to be a milder form of food allergy.
Though rare, OAS can also cause anaphylaxis.
A pop in 1 hypersensitivity causes an immediate reaction to an allergen.
OAS reactions to tomatoes are due to an allergy to grass pollen that cross-reacts with tomatoes.
Both contain proteins known as profilins.
While not identical, the profilins are close enough to potentially trigger an allergic response.
The body responds stronger with each passing season.
Will cooked tomatoes cause an allergic reaction?
Maybe, maybe not.
In a tomato allergy or OAS, the immune system typically reacts to the profilins in raw tomatoes.
Cooking or baking the fruit may break down these proteins and render them harmless.
How Do You Know if You Are Allergic to Tomatoes?
Getting diagnosed with a true tomato allergy or OAS related to tomatoes involves working with your provider and anallergist.
An allergist can identify the specific allergens you are sensitive to.
Some people may have reactions to tomatoes that are not actual tomato allergies.
FODMAP Intolerance
Fructans in tomatoes can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms in people sensitive toFODMAPs.
FODMAP stands for:
Several different fruits, vegetables, and grains are classified as FODMAPs.
Tomatoes are alow FODMAP foodwhen eaten in small quantities.
However, large servings of tomato productslike tomato saucecan cause aninflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS)-like reaction.
Nightshade Sensitivities
Some people who seem to react to tomatoes find they are actually sensitive to nightshades.
Anightshade sensitivity or intolerancecommonly causes heartburn, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
It’s rare, but some people with severe allergies may have anaphylaxisa potentially life-threatening reaction.
2018;13(6):e0197971.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0197971
Kashyap RR, Kashyap RS.Oral allergy syndrome: An update for stomatologists.J Allergy.
2015: 2015: 543928. doi:10.1155/2015/543928
Food Allergy Research and Education.Recognizing and treating reaction symptoms.
2020;4(Supplement_2):426-426. doi:10.1093/cdn/nzaa045_059