When Allergies Attack the Wrong Plant: Cross-Reactivity and Food Allergies

Sometimes proteins in one plant are similar to proteins in another plant and the immune system gets confused and sees them as the same. This can cause false positive allergy tests or in some cases, an allergic reaction.

In this episode of AAFAnoon Chats, host Zulema Chavez interviews board certified allergists, Dr. Michael Pistiner, and Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn. Dr. Pistiner and Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn discuss:

• Cross-reactivity and the role it plays with food allergies
• What Food-Pollen Allergy Syndrome (PFAS) and Latex-Food Allergy Syndrome are.
• Management and treatment options for these syndromes.
• How these syndromes are diagnosed.

(0:00) Intro
(1:00) Understanding Cross-Reactivity
(3:31) Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (Oral Allergy Syndrome) Explained
(12:20) Differentiating Food Allergies
(19:30) Latex Fruit Syndrome Overview
(24:10) Allergy Testing and Diagnosis
(30:20) Managing Dietary Restrictions

Resources:

• Understanding Oral Allergy Syndrome (Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome)
• Pollen Allergy
• Food Allergies and Cross-Reactivity
• Latex Allergy
• How Do Doctors Diagnose Allergies?
• Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) Online Support Community

Michael Pistiner, MD, is Director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention for the MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Food Allergy Center. Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, MD, is the director of the Pediatric Allergy Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.

Disclosure: This episode was produced by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and made possible in part by support from Genentech. Its contents are solely the responsibility of AAFA and the guest speakers, and do not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsors.