Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsRisk FactorsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFoods to Avoid
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Foods to Avoid
This article explains watermelon allergy symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It also covers risk factors for developing a watermelon allergy and which foods to avoid if you develop OAS.
Pitipat Usanakornkul / EyeEm / Getty Images
Symptoms of Watermelon Allergy
People with OAS usually only experience a reaction when eating raw fruits or vegetables because cooking alters the proteins involved. These symptoms typically begin immediately after putting the watermelon in your mouth and go away soon after swallowing it.
AnaphylaxisWhile rare with OAS,anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, can occur with any allergy. If you experience any of the following symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek medical attention right away:HivesSwellingWheezingUnconsciousnessChest tightnessDifficulty breathingHoarsenessTrouble swallowingVomitingDiarrheaStomach crampsFlushingA feeling of impending doom
Anaphylaxis
While rare with OAS,anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, can occur with any allergy. If you experience any of the following symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek medical attention right away:HivesSwellingWheezingUnconsciousnessChest tightnessDifficulty breathingHoarsenessTrouble swallowingVomitingDiarrheaStomach crampsFlushingA feeling of impending doom
While rare with OAS,anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, can occur with any allergy. If you experience any of the following symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek medical attention right away:
Is Watermelon Good for Weight Loss?
Risk Factors for Watermelon Allergy
A ragweed allergy is associated with OAS reactions to watermelons. Though anyone can develop OAS, the condition is less common in young children.
What Causes Watermelon Allergy?
OAS symptoms are your body reacting to the proteins in the fruit that resemble those in pollen. This cross-reactivity confuses the immune system, resulting in OAS symptoms.
Other common correlations include the following.
While the above associations are possible, they do not exist for everyone. For example, a person with birch pollen allergy may have OAS when eating apples but not react to any other foods associated with birch pollen. Similarly, a person may have a ragweed pollen allergy and only notice oral symptoms with melons.
Watermelon Allergy in Children and Babies
A 2015 study published in theInternational Dental Journalevaluated the prevalence of OAS in children.In 120 kids with seasonal allergic rhinitis, OAS symptoms were most pronounced in those with a birch allergy.
In addition, OAS was more common in teens than older children and more prevalent in those with allergic rhinitis andasthma, and allergic rhinitis andeczema.
In some cases, a person may not experience an allergic reaction to watermelon for years, but suddenly develop OAS later in life.
How is Watermelon Allergy Diagnosed?
A careful history can usually provide enough clues to a healthcare provider that watermelon is the culprit. However, some diagnostic tools can help them confirm it.
Allergy testing may include:
In oral allergy syndrome to watermelon (pollen food allergy syndrome), watermelon allergy tests can be negative.
Because the symptoms are mild and fade quickly, treatment is not usually necessary in people with a watermelon allergy.
Still, if you experience symptoms of OAS, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with an allergist or your primary healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
However, if you experience symptoms of anaphylaxis, like difficulty breathing, swelling, or hives, seek emergency medical care immediately.
To avoid another severe reaction, a healthcare provider will likely prescribe anEpiPen. An EpiPen is an injectable device that contains a synthetic form of the hormoneepinephrine. Injecting the hormone can stop the reaction and give you time to seek emergency medical care.
First Aid for AnaphylaxisIf you or anyone else experiences symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, use an EpiPen if the person experiencing symptoms has one prescribed. Then call 911 or head to an emergency room immediately. Other measures to take with or without an EpiPen include:Having the person lie down and elevating the legs. This helps maintain blood flow to the heart during anaphylactic shock.Having the person sit upright if they are having trouble breathing or if they are vomiting.Monitoring the person’s pulse and breathing and administeringCPRif necessary.
First Aid for Anaphylaxis
If you or anyone else experiences symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, use an EpiPen if the person experiencing symptoms has one prescribed. Then call 911 or head to an emergency room immediately. Other measures to take with or without an EpiPen include:Having the person lie down and elevating the legs. This helps maintain blood flow to the heart during anaphylactic shock.Having the person sit upright if they are having trouble breathing or if they are vomiting.Monitoring the person’s pulse and breathing and administeringCPRif necessary.
If you or anyone else experiences symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, use an EpiPen if the person experiencing symptoms has one prescribed. Then call 911 or head to an emergency room immediately. Other measures to take with or without an EpiPen include:
If you have a watermelon allergy, avoid consuming watermelon. In addition to whole watermelon, keep an eye out for watermelon in salads, drinks, and smoothies.
People with OAS often have reactions to more than one food. If you have a ragweed allergy, you may also react when you eat these foods:
If you notice a reaction to these or any other foods, add them to your list of foods to avoid.
Summary
In some people, eating watermelon can trigger oral allergy syndrome. If you have an allergy to a specific type of pollen, a specific protein in watermelon can trigger the same type of reaction. This is called cross-reactivity.
Symptoms are immediate and localized and include itching and tingling in the mouth and throat. They usually resolve quickly once you’ve swallowed the fruit. Rarely, anaphylaxis can occur. Avoiding watermelon prevents a reaction. For severe reactions, using an EpiPen and getting emergency medical attention is key.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.UpToDate.Patient education: Oral allergy syndrome (beyond the basics).American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.Ivković-Jureković I.Oral allergy syndrome in children.Int Dent J. 2015;65(3):164-168. doi:10.1111/idj.12164American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.UpToDate.Patient education: Oral allergy syndrome (beyond the basics).American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.Ivković-Jureković I.Oral allergy syndrome in children.Int Dent J. 2015;65(3):164-168. doi:10.1111/idj.12164American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.UpToDate.Patient education: Oral allergy syndrome (beyond the basics).American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.Ivković-Jureković I.Oral allergy syndrome in children.Int Dent J. 2015;65(3):164-168. doi:10.1111/idj.12164American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Pollen food allergy syndrome.
UpToDate.Patient education: Oral allergy syndrome (beyond the basics).
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Anaphylaxis.
Ivković-Jureković I.Oral allergy syndrome in children.Int Dent J. 2015;65(3):164-168. doi:10.1111/idj.12164
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Oral allergy syndrome (OAS).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
