What common allergic condition may lead to Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) upon eating raw cucumbers due to cross-reactivity?
Answer
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) can manifest in susceptible individuals when they consume raw cucumbers if they also suffer from hay fever, clinically known as allergic rhinitis. This reaction occurs because certain proteins found within the cucumber structure are remarkably similar in form to the proteins found in pollen allergens. The immune system mistakenly identifies these similar cucumber proteins as the pollen threat it is typically prepared to fight, leading to localized allergic responses in the mouth and throat area.
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