Life is not complete without some spice on it. The same applies to food. Without spice, your food will taste bland. Spices are also used in other consumer products including cosmetics and oral hygiene products. Spices are not also regulated as per the US Food and Drug Administration. That means most of these spices are not included in most food packaging.

As a result, spices are one of the most difficult allergy triggers since you cannot easily find them on food labels. In reality, allergy to spice contributes 2 percent of all food allergies. There are also no allergy testing or blood tests available to detect spice allergies.

The truth about spice allergies

Popular spices that can trigger allergies include garlic, cinnamon, vanilla, and black pepper. The “spicier” the spice (ex. Jalapeno, Carolina Reaper, etc.), the higher the chances of having allergic reactions. In case of allergic reactions due to these spices, you should go to an allergy specialist immediately.

Former ACAAI president Sami Bahna, MD says that spice allergy may look like it is a rare case. However, Americans are fond of using various spices in their everyday diet as well as using different cosmetic products. Women are also more prone to spice allergy since a lot of them tend to use cosmetics, perfume, and other beauty products. This could mean less spice (pun intended) in their lives.

Some may be allergic to only one spice, but can also have an allergic reaction to other spice blends. Those with spice allergies have to adjust a lot in their lifestyle, including watching their food intake and avoiding the makeup. In the case of flare-ups, you should consult the best allergist in your area.

Spices usually come from plants, hence the potential to become allergens. However, it is also believed that allergic reaction to spices are not real allergies but rather more on “intolerance”. To determine whether it is true allergies, you should consult an allergy physician so you will be given the right medications.

Are you allergic to spice?

A lot of people mistake “intolerance” with allergic reactions. One risk of this is to be given the wrong medications that can be detrimental to health. In such cases, you can contact an allergist for clarification. Here are symptoms that differentiate non-allergic to real allergic reactions to various allergens, including spices.

Non-allergic

• Mouth itching (can be because of pollen but not due to the spice itself)
• Coughing upon substance inhalation (can be more on an effect of irritants)
• Skin rashes (can be due to skin irritation)

Allergic

• Reactions with sesame seeds, a known food allergen that can cause life-threatening allergic reactions
• Anaphylaxis (although rare, but common upon consumption of spices such as cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme among a few)

If you notice consistent reactions every time you eat the same spice, talk to an allergy specialist doctor immediately. You will undergo skin prick testing to determine the presence of allergic antibodies to a specific spice.

Dealing with spice allergies

As mentioned, the best way to deal with spice allergies is to avoid it. Ingestion of spices when you have allergies to it can cause symptoms such as:

• Bloating
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Lip swelling
• Hives
• Anaphylactic shock (in the worst cases)

Spices are also present in beauty and oral hygiene products. As also mentioned, these are not also accounted for in most ingredient lists. Hence, it can be hard to detect which of these products do contain these dreaded spices.

Some may be allergic to one specific spice, while others can be affected by more than one. One way to deal with your allergies is to consider spice alternatives. For example, you can substitute oregano with other herbs like basil or thyme. Or if you are allergic to sesame seeds, you can use 1 tablespoon chopped blanched almonds instead.

Other ways to manage spice allergies

Other tips that can help minimize allergic reactions to spice are the following.

• Keep ground spices and herbs for a year. For whole spices, you can store them for 2 years.
• Store properly. Better yet, buy smaller containers to prevent spoilage and to ensure they will all be used up.
• Check whether they are still fresh by breaking or crushing to release the aroma.
• When cooking, add the fresh herbs (ex. oregano, thyme, etc.) just before you finish cooking to avoid losing its aroma and flavor.
• In case you experience adverse reactions, visit an allergy clinic in Manassas VA immediately.