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Health: Certain Foods Can Aggravate Seasonal Allergies

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Millions of people suffer with allergies. And right now the tree pollen is very high, so there's widespread misery. Doctors say it's not just pollen that could be aggravating your seasonal allergies.

Lukus Hasenstab has allergies almost all year, and they make him miserable.

"I'm allergic to pretty much anything in nature. Trees, the pollen," said Lukus.

But what some allergy sufferers eat, like fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, can make them feel even worse.

"The food contains certain proteins that are similar in nature to the pollens, and the body confuses the two and it reacts as if you're having an allergy attack in your mouth or throat," said Dr. Clifford Bassett, an Allergy Specialist.

It's called oral allergy syndrome, not an allergic reaction to the food itself, but a cross reaction.

Symptoms include itchiness or tingling on the lips or in the mouth and throat. About one third of allergy sufferers get it.

In the spring, tree pollen can trigger reactions to fruits like apples and oranges, and vegetables like celery and peppers.

In the fall, bananas and cucumbers can be a problem for people allergic to ragweed.

Lukus has to limit some foods all year round.

"Bananas are a big culprit. Almonds oddly enough, various nuts, hazelnuts as well," said Lukus.

"If you peel the food or cook the food, a lot of times we can knock out the protein and the symptoms go away or are less pronounced," said Dr. Bassett.

Doctors say it's important to know there's a difference between reacting to some foods and food allergies.

VIEW: Spring Allergy Information & Links

Reported by Stephanie Stahl, CBS 3

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