Cinnamon Allergy
Cinnamon is a spice that adds flavor to sweet and savory foods. It is the inner bark of specific trees, mostly native to China, India, and Southeast Asia. For some people, it causes cinnamon allergy so they should not use this spice in food. It is a popular ingredient in many foods and drinks.
Types of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is used for health benefits such as controlling blood sugar and reducing the risk of heart disease. The following are the two main types of cinnamon.
Cassia: Also known as cinnamon. This is the most widely used type of cinnamon, the one you buy from stores.
Ceylon: It is also an important type of cinnamon. It is less bitter in taste and less used.
Cassia cinnamon is common in most markets and is cheaper than Ceylon. Excessive consumption of cassia cinnamon can increase health problems. As it contains high levels of a compound called coumarin.
Experiments have shown that excessive use of coumarin can cause many liver problems. This can increase the threat of cancer.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) report states. About 2 to 3% of people with food allergies have allergies to spices. Cinnamon or spice allergy is caused by a high sensitivity to the protein in spices.
Cinnamon Allergy Symptoms
Spices usually cause non-allergic reactions, such as cough. Most allergies can be caused by breathing or touching spices. If someone has difficulty breathing, it could be anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency. Eating and touching spices can cause allergies.
Allergic reactions vary from person to person. Symptoms of a cinnamon allergy can range from slight to severe. Symptoms of this allergy relate to other food allergy symptoms. Some common symptoms include:
- Stomach problem
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Contact stomatitis
- Wheezing
- Fainting
- Nasal Congestion
- Inflammation
- Rashes
- Dizziness
- Hives
When you eat or come in contact with cinnamon or related spices. You may trigger a reaction against cinnamon or spices. The symptoms of cinnamon allergy can occur within a few minutes to an hour after. You should keep in mind that your reaction to food may be delayed.
In very rare cases cinnamon allergy causes anaphylaxis, which is called a severe allergic reaction. Common symptoms of anaphylaxis include
- A sudden drop in blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
- Shock
If this severe condition is left untreated, it can be life threatening. Allergic reactions can occur after eating packaged or restaurant food. But not after eating home-cooked food as it is caused by allergic spices. Anyone with an allergy should keep in mind that cinnamon and other spices can cause allergies.
Thoroughly check out everyday items. Many of them do not use cinnamon. Therefore, all the things that can cause allergies should be avoided.
Causes
Allergies to cinnamon spices are more common than other food allergies. You can experience an allergic reaction to eating and contact with cinnamon. Artificial cinnamon flavors in gum, toothpaste, and personal care products also cause allergies. Mild allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, can lead to anaphylaxis.
Therefore, you should avoid all the things that are more likely to cause allergies. Cinnamon is abundant in food and drink, including;
- Ice cream
- Candy
- Applesauce
- Oatmeal
- Soup and sauce
- Flavored teas and coffees
- Baked goods, such as cookies, muffins, pies, cakes, biscuits, and pastries
- Toothpaste and Mouth wash
People should be aware that cinnamon does not appear directly in food products. Cinnamon is used in many health products.
Diagnosing a cinnamon allergy
If you suspect that you are allergic to cinnamon, contact your allergist for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For the diagnosis purpose of cinnamon food allergy, your healthcare professional performs tests.
He may perform a patch test or painless prick test on your arms or back and you will get the result within 20 minutes. For skin prick test purposes, if the cinnamon extract is not available. He may perform any alternative suitable test, for example, an IgE blood test.
Treatment
There is no better treatment than diet so avoid things that can cause allergies. To avoid allergy symptoms, the doctor recommends using antibodies. “Daphne Hydromine (Benadryl)”. An allergist may recommend an epinephrine autoantibody to a person with an allergy.
The allergist suggests that the allergy person should carry an epinephrine autoinjector. Schoolteachers and others should be told about the child’s allergy. Most schools have allergy medications as an emergency.
Note
This article and the medication mentioned there are all for information purposes only. However, this will help you to get rid of your allergy symptoms. You should always consult with an allergist if you suspect any allergic symptoms in you. You should always use medication or ointment with the advice of Healthcare professionals.
