#42 - What are cross-reactive allergens?

Do certain foods make your mouth itchy? We may have the reason why! In this episode, Dr. G and Kortney are joined by Dr. Wright, a board-certified allergist and Medical Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific, as they demystify cross-reactivity in food allergies.  What we cover in this episode: - What is cross-reactivity? Cross-reactivity with pollen versus cross-reactivity between IgE mediated allergens. - What is oral allergy syndrome (OAS), and why do allergists prefer pollen food allergy syndrome? - The difference between OAS and true food allergies causing anaphylaxis. - How do you know it is an allergy due to pollen cross-reactivity (OAS)?  - What are the symptoms of OAS? - How is oral allergy syndrome diagnosed? - Can you have anaphylaxis to foods that OAS causes? - Are there some fruits and vegetable varieties that are better for people to eat who have OAS? - When do people start to develop OAS? - Who would typically develop OAS? - The cross-reactive pollens and their cross-reactive foods. - The types of tests available for testing cross-reactive allergens: skin prick, blood test and component testing.  - How to determine if a food is an allergen due to pollen cross-reactivity or IgE mediated. - Why would you consider getting component testing?   - How component testing can help determine if you can tolerate baked eggs and baked milk. - How to determine if you are a candidate for an oral challenge.   This episode is sponsored by Allergy Insider. Additional Resources: Allergy Insider - Follow @allergyinsider on Instagram for more information on allergies: https://www.instagram.com/allergyinsider/ - Follow Allergy Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllergyInsiderUS/ - Allergy Insider’s #ThatKid Campaign: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/that-kid.html - Follow Dr. Kia Wright on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.wright_allergist/ More information about: - Understanding allergy cross-reactivity: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/understanding-allergies/cross-reactivity.html  - OAS (oral allergy syndrome): https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/allergy-symptoms/head-eyes-ears-nose-throat-heent-allergy-symptoms/oral-allergy-syndrome-oas.html - Component testing: In the US, component testing available: Milk, egg, peanuts, some tree nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashew) - More information about allergy testing: https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/patient/us/en/testing-for-allergy-triggers.html Relevant The Itch Episodes: - Ep. 34: What are allergies of the eyes and nose (environmental allergies): https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-34 - Ep. 35: How to treat environmental allergies (allergies of the eyes and nose): https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-35 - Ep. 5: The types of food allergy testing & why they can be so hard to interpret: https://www.itchpodcast.com/post/episode-5