Seasonal allergies and food allergies are among the most common allergies reported globally. While around 25.7% of adults in the US reported having a seasonal allergy in 2021, around 6.2 % reported having a food allergy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Over 81 million people in the US were diagnosed as being allergic to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds in 2021. About 20 million people meanwhile reported having food allergies, with peanuts being the second most common allergen in adults and third most among children, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Those prone to allergies need to know how to identify the symptoms of both allergies.
Symptoms of peanut and pollen allergies
While peanuts are a healthy snack for many, in those with a peanut allergy, it can cause mild to severe allergic reactions.
Symptoms of a peanut allergy include vomiting, stomach cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, wheezing, difficulty breathing, repetitive cough and tightness in the throat, weak pulse, hives, swelling of the tongue or lips, dizziness and confusion.
A peanut allergy, in severe cases, can also result in a life-threatening allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis.
People with a pollen allergy may experience symptoms only when the pollen they’re allergic to is in the air.
“They mainly have respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and cough or skin allergy symptoms like rashes. The symptoms could be in the form of cough, sneezing, nose block, runny nose or allergic conjunctivitis, which includes eye irritation, itching, watering,” says Dr Vasunethra Kasargod, a Bangalore-based pulmonologist.
Peanut allergy vs. pollen allergy
Dr Sujatha Ramesh, consultant, pediatric allergy and immunology at Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore, says, “While some may experience only nasal symptoms, some may experience both the nasal and chest-related symptoms, such as wheezing, cough, shortness of breath and asthma.”
Those with a pollen allergy usually do not experience gut-associated symptoms or anaphylaxis. Dr Kasargod adds that pollen allergies are difficult to prevent, and they are mostly seasonal. “Avoiding peanuts will ensure that those with peanut allergies do not experience adverse reactions. Since pollen disperses in the air, it becomes difficult to avoid.”
Dr Kasargod says that allergic reactions to certain foods can sometimes be life-threatening, causing anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.
“In severe cases, the person can have low BP and may develop stridor — a condition where the vocal cords swell up, and one can suddenly choke and have respiratory arrest,” he adds.
Diagnosing peanut and pollen allergy
Dr Kasargod says symptomatology often helps in diagnosing distinct allergies. “For food allergies, a classical history will help. After this, a blood or skin prick test is done. Likewise, for pollen allergy, we can do the skin prick test and the blood test where we look for antigens in the body and look for a reaction against each particular allergen.”
He adds that the skin prick test is more specific than the blood tests.
Treatment and management
Dr Kasargod says that absolute avoidance is necessary if one has a peanut allergy. “If they have already developed mild symptoms, we may administer an antihistamine or a mild oral steroid. If the reactions are severe, we would give adrenaline shots.”
Dr AB Singh, secretary of the Indian College of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology and former scientist emeritus, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, tells Happiest Health that those already diagnosed with food allergies are advised to always carry a vial of epinephrine or epinephrine auto-injectors with them to be used in an emergency.
Doctors recommend that those prone to pollen allergies prepare before the allergy season. One can start using a nasal spray 10-15 days before allergy season is set to begin. Avoid stepping outside during the allergy season and if you have to, wear a mask. Keep your windows closed and use an air purifier at home and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
Dr Kasargod says that pollen allergies include symptomatic treatments. “If one is experiencing eye-related symptoms, they are treated with antihistamines and eye drops, and for nasal symptoms, antihistamines and nasal drops,” he says.
Dr Ramesh says, “Immunotherapy is one of the long-term treatments available for pollen allergy. It involves taking tiny doses of these pollens to educate the immune system to tolerate exposure to these pollens.”
Pollen food allergy syndrome
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), some people with underlying allergic rhinitis or pollen allergies may present with an itchy mouth or a scratchy throat after consuming some raw fruits, peanuts and tree nuts. This condition is called Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) or oral allergy syndrome.
Dr Ramesh says, “This happens because there are some cross-reactive elements between the pollen and the fruit. And in the west, you classically see it with apple and birch pollen. People usually react to the raw fruit but not the processed or cooked versions of the same food.” She added that other examples include melon, ragweed, and some other pollens.
With PFAS, one typically develops mild symptoms — mostly limited to itching around the lips or mouth and lip swelling.
Takeaways
Peanut allergies and pollen allergies are some of the most common allergies globally. Peanut allergies include symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Allergic reactions to certain foods can sometimes be life-threatening, causing anaphylaxis.
