The aim: Establishing the frequency of allergy to fruits, vegetables and spices in 88 patients with allergic rhinitis.

Material and methods: The research was carried out in 88 patients (46 F and 42 M) aged 9–62, treated in the Department and Clinic of Allergology, Immunology and Internal Diseases because of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Every patient was interviewed for allergy history and  had:

1.    Skin prick tests for 11 common inhalatory allergens and 15 food allergens.

2.     The level of total and specific IgE.

Results: All of the patients suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis. In 57 (64,8%) allergic family history was positive. Positive skin prick test for grass-pollen in 69 cases (78,4%), tree-pollen in 45 (51%). weed-pollen in 35 (40%); positive skin prick tests for fruit and vegetables in  patients 28 (31,8%) – 19 patients for vegetables (21,6%) and 12(13,6%) for fruits. Higher level of total IgE in 64 patients (72,7%); concentration of sIgE for inhalatory allergens was higher in 63 patients: grass-pollen – 45 (51%), tree-pollen – 35 (40%), weed-pollen – 12(13,6%). In 16 examined patients we also signified presence of sIgE for food allergens: vegetables – 11 (12,5%), fruit – 6 (6,8%). At the same time a higher level of sIgE for inhalatory and food allergens appeared in 12 patients (13,6%) and simultaneous positive skin prick test for common inhalatory and food allergens in 28 patients (31,8%). In the group of 88 patients 12 (13,6%) had positive skin prick tests for spices and 7 (8%) of them had  relevant sIgE level.

Conclusions: The results suggest necessity of diagnosing patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis for food allergy.