Oral Allergy Syndrome (Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome)

Price, Alexandra MS*; Ramachandran, Sarika MD†; Smith, Gideon P. MD, PhD‡; Stevenson, Mary L. MD†; Pomeranz, Miriam K. MD†; Cohen, David E. MD, MPH†

Dermatitis: March/April 2015 - Volume 26 - Issue 2 - p 78–88

doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000087

Reviews

• Abstract
• Author Information
• Article Outline

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFS) is a hypersensitivity reaction to plant-based foods, manifesting most commonly with pruritus of the lips, tongue, and mouth. Unlike simple food allergy, OAS requires prior sensitization to a cross-reacting inhalant allergen rather than direct sensitization to a specific food protein. In this review, we summarize the clinical features and pathophysiology of OAS and provide an overview of known pollen-food associations.

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