Fruit, Veggie Allergies on the Rise

CAMBRIDGE, UK—Peanut allergies are passé. BBC News reported that Dr. Pamela Ewan, an allergy consultant at Addenbrooke's Hospital, has seen a rise in patients with reactions to fruit and vegetables, particularly children. Other allergists agree, noting that sensitivity to pollen might be at the core of the problem.

"We are certainly seeing lots of oral allergy syndrome,” Dr. Adam Fox, a consultant paediatric allergist at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, was quoted is saying. "This affects people who are actually allergic to pollen—such as birch pollen. There is a cross-reactivity between the protein in that pollen with those in fruit and vegetables, so people start getting a reaction to fruits such as apples and pears.”

Click here to read the complete article.