Which of the following is a common trigger of oral allergy syndrome?

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is often associated with certain fruits, vegetables, and nuts, particularly due to cross-reactivity with pollen allergens. Kiwi is a well-documented trigger of oral allergy syndrome because it contains proteins that are similar in structure to those found in certain pollens, such as birch tree pollen. This similarity can cause the immune system to mistakenly identify these proteins in kiwi as harmful, leading to allergic reactions that manifest primarily in the oral cavity.

Symptoms of OAS include itching or swelling of the lips, mouth, and throat shortly after consuming the triggering food. In the case of kiwi, these symptoms can occur in individuals who have hay fever associated with birch pollen.

In contrast, while strawberries and carrots can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, they are not as commonly linked to oral allergy syndrome compared to kiwi. Rice typically does not trigger OAS as it is not associated with cross-reacting proteins from pollen. Thus, kiwi stands out as the most recognized common trigger for oral allergy syndrome among the given options.