Chocolate Allergy: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

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Chocolate Allergy - For most people, chocolate is a sweet food that is always appetizing. Very tasty and tempting when served as praline, cut chocolate or even as a cake and drink. But what if you can't enjoy it because you have allergies?

In this article, you will see some interesting information related to chocolate allergy. Find information about the symptoms, and the treatment in the following article!

CHOCOLATE ALLERGY

Not only that, medically chocolate is also known as one of the stress drugs. By eating chocolate one will get the intake of phenethylamine compounds which function to encourage endorphin production. Endorphins with other compounds in chocolate called anandamide have proven to be effective in giving a comfortable, happy, feeling loved, relaxed and calm effect.

Even according to research presented in the British Medical Journal chocolate also works to help prolong life, including preventing the formation of cholesterol and preventing heart attacks.

But apparently, not everyone can look at chocolate with such a positive perspective. Because some people seem to have brown allergic complaints. A complaint that is actually rare but can also be risky.

Cases of chocolate allergy are indeed relatively rare compared to other types of allergies. Most people who experience a reaction to chocolate may not actually experience allergies only allergic to the content of chocolate foods only. It could be that the patient actually has allergies to soy, butter, sweeteners, fats and other ingredients added to chocolate.

According to Livestrong.com, based on data from The American College of Allergy, cases of allergies to food are actually relatively low, no more than 4%. And of that number, most allergies are caused by milk or lactose, soybeans, nuts, eggs, fish and so on. Only a small portion of this number is confirmed to have complaints of allergies to chocolate.

CHOCOLATE ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Symptoms commonly experienced by those who feel chocolate allergies are usually the itchy effect on the throat. Even though it could actually be the symptoms that appear are not a sign of allergies. Itching signs that appear can actually be a reaction to sweeteners added in chocolate or to oil or butter which is usually used as a binding material on chocolate.

Then what are the symptoms of chocolate allergy? In general, chocolate allergy will be related to the production of histamine compounds that appear as a reaction to chocolate.

And here are symptoms of chocolate allergy due to the reaction of histamine compounds.

1. Itchy
2. Hard to breathe
3. Bloating and nausea
4. Swelling of the face and mouth area
5. A sneezing and dry cough
6. Abdominal cramps

Also note if you experience some other symptoms such as the appearance of pimples, migraines, constipation or symptoms of prickly heat. In some of the above symptoms, it is likely that you are not experiencing a chocolate allergy, but hypersensitivity to chocolate.

Sometimes in the case of hypersensitivity to caffeine in chocolate, you may experience a number of symptoms which are the body's reaction to caffeine, such as symptoms of a rapid heartbeat headache, stiff neck, dizziness and so on.

CAUSES OF CHOCOLATE ALLERGY

As we mentioned earlier, according to the Healthline review, most cases of chocolate allergy are not pure chocolate allergies. Most, in the range of 70% of cases, it is actually a reaction to allergies to artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, oil, soybeans, gluten, nuts, milk, caffeine and so on.

While the rest some are really allergic to chocolate. Usually a reaction to the pure content of chocolate. In chocolate, there is a small nickel content, but it may have an effect on some people.

The content of phenethylamine compounds also proved to have an effect on those who are sensitive. The nature of compounds that can cause changes in hormonal structure sometimes triggers hormonal imbalances. Usually, this condition can only occur if you overdo it with chocolate.

In addition to aspects of the content in chocolate, those with complaints of celiac disease are more likely to experience an allergic reaction to chocolate. Actually, this is a reaction to the gluten and milk content that is often mixed in the chocolate dough.

Those who are undergoing certain medications can also experience the risk of chocolate allergies. This is because a number of treatments can cause a reaction to the immune system. The immune system will form an abnormal immune system by identifying chocolate as a toxin.

CHOCOLATE ALLERGIC TREATMENT

When someone shows an allergic reaction to chocolate, there are many possibilities that you need to recognize well. You may be only allergic to the content in chocolate such as milk, nuts, sweeteners, butter, fat, berries, and so on.

In these conditions, it's not the chocolate you really need to avoid, but the content in chocolate. For example, by choosing dark chocolate if you are allergic to milk, choose a nut-free chocolate bar if you are indeed a peanut allergy and so forth. Avoid chocolate cookies or chocolate bars with gluten content if you are allergic to gluten.

However, if you are pure chocolate allergies, you should avoid all kinds of foods with chocolate. You can choose the type of legume-based food that has almost the same character as chocolate.

As for dealing with allergic complaints, you can take anti-histamine drugs. But the best way should be to keep on consulting symptoms with the medical side, to ensure the most appropriate treatment. Considering chocolate allergies can cause a fairly broad reaction.

Such is the information about allergies that you need to look at. Look forward to other important information about health problems, healthy living tips, and natural alternative medicine