Chocolate allergy

Allergy to chocolate is not a very accurate definition, since the sweets contain many substances. All kinds of fillers, fillings, flavor additives can cause food allergies.

Chocolate is a tasty and healthy stress reliever, a favorite treat for children and adults. Doctors classify it as a highly allergenic product. How can we live with this fact?

Causes of Chocolate Allergy

The main component of chocolate – cocoa beans – is not on the list of typical allergens. Ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction:

• milk;
• soybeans;
• fruit fillings;
• nuts (usually peanuts);
• gluten;
• tyramine;
• nickel.

Don't be surprised, the element of the periodic table is widely used in the production of chocolate and cheese. Every schoolchild knows about the toxicity of nickel for humans in the smallest doses.

Flavors, dyes, preservatives are common causes of chocolate allergies. Before buying the coveted sweet, be sure to carefully study the composition, especially the smallest print on the package.

The conditions of collection and storage of cocoa beans affect the development of allergic reactions. The fact is that omnivorous cockroaches love cocoa. Moreover, they begin to enjoy the beans right on the plantations. Naturally, the crawling insects are driven out of bags and boxes, but chitin (the strongest allergen) can remain on cocoa beans and will not disappear even during heat treatment.

Any product, if not consumed in moderation, becomes dangerous for the body. Chocolate contains fats, carbohydrates and proteins, which in large quantities are difficult to process even for an adult body. Therefore, those with a sweet tooth should restrain their impulses.

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Symptoms of Chocolate Allergy

If problems appeared when a kilogram of "sweet joy" disappeared along with stress, then the body simply could not cope with the monstrous dose. If skin rashes were discovered after eating a small piece of chocolate, we can talk about sensitivity to one of the ingredients.

Symptoms of chocolate allergy include itching and heartburn. In particularly severe cases, breathing problems are noted. In patients with asthma, chocolate allergy can trigger an asthma attack, so you should immediately call emergency medical care.

The appearance of symptoms does not mean that you need to completely deny yourself the pleasure of chocolate. Consult an allergist who will help determine the exact cause of the disease. Having identified the dangerous allergen, you can avoid contact with it.

How does chocolate allergy manifest itself?

Food allergies develop and progress differently in each person. Some get away with itchy skin and a mild rash, while in others, an allergic reaction can develop rapidly and even pose a threat to life.

How does an allergy to chocolate manifest itself? Sometimes symptoms are detected half an hour after eating the sweet. Most often, for a food allergy to develop, its systematic consumption is necessary.

Common allergic reactions:

• urticaria - bright red rashes with blisters, accompanied by unbearable itching. When scratching, the affected area increases. The rash is observed in the abdomen, back, skin of the arms and legs. Much less often - in the form of red spots on the face;
• a small red rash on the body with characteristic severe itching;
• weeping or, conversely, dry, flaky skin areas;
• intestinal disorders;
• profuse discharge from the nose and eyes;
• Quincke's edema - causes swelling of the larynx, which can lead to asphyxia.

People who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, suffering from pancreatitis, cholecystitis, gastritis are most susceptible to food allergies. An allergic reaction can be aggravated by intestinal dysbacteriosis.

Chocolate allergy in children

In childhood, allergic reactions are observed in the form of diathesis. The cause of "rosy cheeks" may be an allergy to chocolate in children, or rather to the milk protein included in it. The following are provocateurs of painful manifestations:

• improper diet;
• lack of vitamins;
• hypothermia;
• viral diseases;
• vaccinations.

Signs of diathesis also include: loose and frequent stools of a foamy nature or greenish color, abdominal pain, rashes on the body, coughing with choking, itchy skin.

If the allergy is severe and long-term without proper medical treatment, such conditions can cause complications in the form of bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis.

Allergists do not recommend introducing dark chocolate into the diet if the child is under five years old. Parents also need to monitor the amount of sweets consumed by the child.

Chocolate allergy in adults

In older children and adults, severe allergic reactions and fatal cases have been reported from eating peanuts, which are ubiquitous in chocolate bars, cakes, chocolate bars, and candies.

An allergy to chocolate in adults can appear at any age as a result of the development of intestinal diseases, such as Crohn's disease. The condition is aggravated by nervous and physical overexertion.

If you notice the first symptoms of sensitivity to chocolate, consult a specialist and undergo testing to identify the source of the allergy.

Before buying chocolate, when you already know the enemy by sight, pay attention to the composition. Acting on the principle - "less is better" - switch to more expensive, organic types of chocolate.

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Allergy to white chocolate

High-quality white chocolate always contains real sugar (not to be confused with sweeteners), dry milk and cocoa butter. The product does not contain cocoa powder, which distinguishes it by its color.

Why does an allergy to white chocolate occur? Firstly, if you have a sensitivity to one of its components. Secondly, in order to reduce the cost of producing white sweets, unscrupulous manufacturers include synthetic sweeteners, flavors, etc.

Symptoms include skin rash, possible allergic rhinitis, respiratory problems and serious consequences in the form of anaphylactic shock.

If the first signs of an allergic reaction appear, stop eating white chocolate and consult a doctor.

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Treatment for chocolate allergy

Only timely and comprehensive impact on orgasm gives a lasting effect in the treatment of food allergies.

Treatment of chocolate allergy consists of the following steps:

• reduction of intestinal intoxication with the help of sorbents - activated carbon, enterosgel, filtrum, etc.;
• correction of dysbacteriosis by taking the multiprobiotic "Simbiter", which contains live strains of bacteria;
• use of second and third generation antihistamines (have fewer side effects) - Telfast, Kestin, Claritin. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician (usually 2-3 weeks);
• complete removal of the allergen from the diet;
• diet – dietary changes are discussed with an allergist. During the treatment period, red fruits, sugar, chocolate, coffee and strong tea are avoided.

Sometimes it is advisable to use therapeutic fasting based on herbal teas and do cleansing enemas.

Rubbing or compresses of succession, oregano, nettle, sage leaves, currants, etc. help to cope with the symptoms of chocolate allergy. Coniferous-valerian baths have a calming effect on the skin (for the volume of the bath you need: 2 tbsp. of pine extract and 25 ml of valerian tincture).

Prevention of chocolate allergy

The main method of prevention is considered to be the exclusion of the allergen from food. It is necessary to determine:

• after consuming which chocolate did unpleasant consequences occur;
• identify which ingredient exactly caused the painful reaction;
• Do not buy chocolate products that contain it.

Strengthening the immune system is also a preventative measure against chocolate allergies. Babies need to remain breastfed longer, which is the best way to increase the child's body's defenses. Hardening is recommended for both children and adults.

The health of internal organs and systems plays an important preventive role. Do not neglect diseases that can cause complications, develop into chronic and incurable diseases.

Spend time outdoors and in the bosom of nature. Treat life with gratitude, calmly accepting shocks and troubles. It has been proven that a person's psycho-emotional state affects the development of many diseases, including the manifestation of an allergic nature.

An allergy to chocolate is not a death sentence, but another way for the body to protect internal organs from the harmful effects of dyes, chemical additives, flavors, and other synthetics. Choose healthy, natural products and be healthy!