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Ginger allergy
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Can ginger cause allergies?
Most people tolerate this spice well, but there are some people who are allergic to ginger. So if you are using this spice for the first time, you should exercise some caution at first to make sure that ginger does not cause allergic reactions in you.
Causes of Ginger Allergy
About 80% of people perceive ginger perfectly, for them it shows all its beneficial and healing properties. But 20% of people are allergic to ginger. In addition to individual predisposition to this allergen, ginger is often incompatible with many medications and dietary supplements, so in this form it can also cause allergic reactions.
Symptoms of Ginger Allergy
The main symptoms of ginger allergy are:
- the mucous membrane of the eye becomes inflamed;
- the oral mucosa swells;
- the larynx swells;
- the nasal mucosa swells;
- presence of cough, sneezing, runny nose;
- rashes appear on the skin;
- presence of skin itching;
- the appearance of allergic dermatitis;
- Quincke's edema;
- anaphylactic shock;
- eczema
- diarrhea;
- vomit;
- nausea.
Cross-reactions in ginger allergy
If you have an allergy to ginger, it is likely that you may have a cross-reaction such as an allergy to wormwood. The same is true vice versa: if you have previously established that wormwood causes allergic reactions in you, you should be careful in consuming ginger.
Diagnosis of ginger allergy
To accurately diagnose ginger allergy and determine whether it is actually the allergen that has caused your allergic reactions, you should consult an allergist who will refer you for a laboratory test. Ginger allergy is detected by taking blood from a vein. Modern methods allow you to determine how susceptible the body is to a given allergen, in this case, to ginger. After receiving the results, specialists prescribe appropriate treatment.
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Treatment for Ginger Allergy
Like any other food allergy, ginger allergy is treated by eliminating the allergen, in this case ginger, from the patient's diet, as well as taking antihistamines.
The second and third generation of these drugs have the best effect in eliminating allergies to ginger: Claritin, Cetrin, Erius, Zertec and others like them. Their advantage is that they do not affect the central nervous system and do not have side effects, like first-generation antihistamines (no drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention). Basically, it takes a week to eliminate allergies to ginger, complex cases suggest taking the drug for several months.
Ceritisin (Zyrtec, Parlazin) is a coated tablet (10 mg), as well as a solution - oral drops (10 mg per ml). Adults and children over six years old take one tablet once a day (20 drops), children 2-6 years old - 5 mg per day or 10 drops, children 1-2 years old - 2.5 mg (5 drops) twice a day. Zyrtec is taken from 6 months at 2.5 mg twice a day.
A mild form of ginger allergy allows the use of derivatives of cromoglicic acid. It is contained in eye drops, nasal sprays and aerosols.
Naturally, it is better not to self-medicate. The most correct solution would be to contact specialists who will select the best antihistamine drug based on the individual characteristics of the body, the course of allergic reactions, etc. In this way, you can get rid of an allergy to ginger in a short time.
Prevention of allergy to ginger
If you have allergies to ginger, naturally, you need to be extremely careful when adding spices and seasonings to food, and it is best to completely exclude ginger from your diet. Consult with your allergist, he will determine how you should behave with this spice. Most likely, he will create a special diet that excludes ginger from the diet. It is worth remembering that ginger root is often used in cosmetology and various cosmetics, therefore, in order to exclude manifestations of an allergy to ginger, you should carefully read the composition before use.