Ragweed Can Make Melon Itchy

If a bite of cantaloupe makes your mouth itch or tingle in late summer, the problem may not be the melon itself. It could be connected to a pollen allergy.

The reaction is known as oral allergy syndrome, also called pollen-food allergy syndrome. It happens when the immune system mistakes proteins in certain raw fruits and vegetables for proteins found in pollen.

For people allergic to ragweed, that can mean trouble with foods such as banana, cucumber, melon, and zucchini, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Symptoms are usually mild and often include itching or tingling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat. In many cases, the discomfort fades within minutes.

Ragweed is a major late-summer allergen and typically begins releasing pollen in August, which is why some people notice these reactions more during that time of year.

One clue that oral allergy syndrome is the cause is that cooked or canned versions of the same food may not cause a reaction. Heat changes the proteins enough that the immune system no longer mistakes them for pollen.

So a person who gets an itchy mouth from raw melon may be able to eat it cooked or processed without a problem.

Most reactions are mild, but swelling of the throat, trouble breathing, or other severe symptoms should be treated as a true allergic reaction and require immediate medical attention.

The odd connection is a reminder that seasonal allergies can sometimes show up at the dinner table, not just in the nose and eyes.