Birch trees release their pollen in spring, although they are not the only cause of spring allergies. (A variety of other plants, especially other trees, also bloom at this time. If you’re allergic to birch pollen, you are more common oral allergy syndrome (OAS)which can cause tingling or swelling in the mouth when eating certain fruits. Heat can destroy the proteins that cause this reaction, so eating fresh apples may be uncomfortable, but apples cooked in a pie are fine.
Aside from apples, other fruit allergies that are more common with birch allergy are almonds, apricots, carrots, celery, cherries, hazelnuts, kiwis, parsley, peaches, peanuts, pears, plums, and soy.
