UNDATED (CBS) – Spring is just around the corner and for millions of people that means their allergies will be flaring up. but it's not just pollen that could be aggravating your seasonal allergies.

Lukus Hasenstab has allergies almost all year, and they make him miserable.

“I'm allergic to pretty much anything in nature. Trees, the pollen,” he said.

But what some allergy sufferers eat, like fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts, can make them feel even worse.

“The food contains certain proteins that are similar in nature to the pollens, and the body confuses the two and it reacts as if you're having an allergy attack in your mouth or throat,” said Allergy and Asthma Dr. Clifford Bassett

It's called oral allergy syndrome.  It's not an allergic reaction to the food itself, but what is called a “cross reaction”. Symptoms include itchiness or tingling on the lips or in the mouth and throat. about one third of allergy sufferers get it.

In the spring, tree pollen can trigger reactions to fruits like apples and oranges, and vegetables like celery and peppers. in the fall, bananas and cucumbers can be a problem for people allergic to ragweed.

Lukus has to limit some foods all year round. “Bananas are a big culprit,” he said. “Almonds oddly enough, various nuts, (and) hazelnuts as well.”

Allergists are predicting one of the worst allergy seasons in more than a decade this Spring, but there is a way to avoid problems with what you eat.

“If you peel the food or cook the food, a lot of times we can knock out the protein and the symptoms go away or are less pronounced,” Bassett said.

“I work in a restaurant and I love food so to have to really think about what I'm about to eat is kind of challenging,” Lukus said.

He says he sticks to what he knows is safe, so he isn't sorry after a meal.

Allergists say it's also important to get the right diagnosis because some people confuse this reaction to foods with food allergies which can be much more serious and may need immediate attention.

Copyright 2011 CBS. all rights reserved.

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