A Strange Allergy

As a little one I remember loving fruit. A good plum, peach or pear on a summer day: so refreshing! I loved snacking on frozen blueberries and a good banana.

So around 3rd and 4th grade I was confused when I would get to lunch and my mouth would itch after eating fruit.

I was an growing into an rebellious stage so when I realized the pattern and told my parents I was met with "Suuree you do."

Their impression was that I had just was being the semi-picky eater like always and that I was going through a phase.

But here we are 13 years later and.... well the 'phase' hasn't gone away.

Now when I eat a piece of raw fruit, the reaction is the same.

Bite into an apple? Cool- gums will itch for at least an hour.

Eat some banana or orange? Hope you wanted to feel like you have a sore throat.

As I have told people through my life I am often met with the "ALL fresh fruit?" question.

So I went on a weird fruit exploration about 2 years ago, also figuring that I could test out the "exposure" allergy method.

Maybe if I continued eating it for long enough it would stop reacting?

Nope, and there has yet to be a fruit I haven't had a reaction to.

"Fresh Fruit"

I make sure to clarify FRESH fruit.

See any cooked fruit- typically fine. (Team Hawaiian Pizza all the way).

Apple sauce or apple pie? Fine.

OJ from the store: no problem.

Freshly squeezed though- that is like fire for the itching in my throat.

Once my parents realized that I was telling the truth there was talk of getting me allergy tested.

One day I will. But even if there was medication for it- it wouldn't be worth it, so it isn't a priority.

Our theory is that it is something in the fruit that my enzymes are reacting to- but we have no medical degree so it's just a guess.

For now it just remains in the "Fun Fact About Me" Category.