Medical expert of the article
New publications
Tea allergy
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Causes of Tea Allergy
An allergic reaction can be caused by an individual tea allergen – a specific protein F222. However, it is often not the tea leaf itself that causes an allergy, but all sorts of aromatic, flavor additives, dyes, synthetic fibers, which are ubiquitous in almost all varieties of modern tea. Herbs that are present in the composition can also be an allergen. In addition to herbs, there are often biologically active substances, microelements that specifically affect the human body. When you choose tea, make sure that its expiration date has not yet expired. The fact is that expired tea that has experienced repeated changes in humidity may contain fungus, and that, in turn, can cause a strong allergic reaction.
[ 4 ]
Symptoms of Tea Allergy
Each person's allergy to tea, like any other pathological reaction, manifests itself differently. But the most common are skin rashes and itching. In addition, many people's allergy to tea manifests itself in the form of coughing, watery eyes, headaches, nausea, nasal congestion, burning in the nose, in the mouth, and in special cases, even suffocation attacks are possible.
Often, allergies affect people with weakened immunity. And another important property is that allergies to tea are "all ages are submissive". The time of the reaction may vary: it can be either immediate, violent and fast, or slow and appear only after several days.
Diagnosis of tea allergy
The biggest catch with tea allergy is that a person may not know what product exactly has become an allergen for him. The patient takes an anti-allergy drug to eliminate the symptoms and drinks the same tea. A consultation with an allergist and immunologist is required, an examination is carried out, doctors take tests to identify the allergen and prescribe treatment.
Tea Allergy Treatment
If you discover even one sign of an allergic reaction to tea in yourself or someone close to you, you should, first of all, immediately stop drinking tea and buy an anti-allergy medicine at the nearest pharmacy. Usually, a person feels better within a few hours after taking the medicine.
It also helps to drink one and a half to two liters of clean water, preferably filtered or boiled beforehand. This way, you can provoke the removal of the allergen from the body and eliminate the first symptoms.
If the medicine and the measures taken have no effect, the symptoms do not go away, then it is worth consulting a doctor. After all, in addition to the fact that the allergy itself is uncomfortable, it is also dangerous due to its complications: bronchial asthma, serum sickness, hemolytic anemia. An allergy to tea can also manifest itself as anaphylactic shock - its most serious consequence.
Medicines for the treatment of tea allergy
Like any other type of food allergy, an allergic reaction to tea is treated with antihistamines (clarotadine, zyrtec, suprastin, teridine, fenistil, cetrin, clemastine, lomilan, pheniramine maleate, etc.). It is best to use single-component drugs - they do not have many side effects. The most common side effect of antihistamines is drowsiness and slow reactions. Complex treatment involves the use of additional drugs to strengthen the immune system, as well as symptomatic agents. A stuffy nose is treated with nazivin, otrivin, vizin and other nasal drops, lacrimation - with vizin, etc.
If the reaction is particularly pronounced, it is best to consult a specialist. Only a doctor has the right to prescribe more powerful anti-allergy drugs - glucocorticosteroid hormones, mast cell stabilizers, etc.
Prevention of tea allergy
If you have developed an allergy to tea, it is best to completely stop drinking it during and after treatment. You can consult with your doctor about whether to completely stop drinking tea or avoid certain types or brands of tea. Special allergy tests will help you understand which type of tea may cause allergic reactions in you.
However, allergy sufferers do not always have to completely give up this drink. Most often, allergies manifest themselves when the immune system is weakened. Therefore, sometimes it helps to take vitamins, drugs to strengthen the immune system, rest so that the body can restore its strength and then, it is quite possible that the allergy to tea will no longer bother you.