Chocolate Allergy Treatment If you're allergic to chocolate, refrain from eating chocolate and its byproducts. Your allergist will also prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector that you should carry with you. For less severe allergies, such as itching and hives, try over-the-counter treatment options.
You're more likely to have a reaction to chocolate if you're allergic to it or its source, which is cocoa. But ingredients in chocolate-based foods, such as milk, wheat, and nuts, can also set off a reaction. People with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease sometimes react to chocolate, especially milk chocolate.
When it comes to food allergies, peanuts, wheat, eggs, cow's milk, soy and shellfish are among the most common culprits. The itchiness caused by these foods and subsequent scratching can then lead to flare-ups or worsening of dermatitis symptoms.
If the body is allergic to cocoa, the immune system will respond when it enters the body. This response can create symptoms such as: hives.
Chocolate preparations usually contain milk, soy, peanuts or tree nuts, all of which are far more frequently recognized as food allergens, Buttram says. It has also been shown that proteins from insects can be found in chocolate preparations, and these have been implicated in suspected chocolate allergy reactions.
Chocolate itself is relatively low histamine; however, it may act as a histamine liberator. In other words, it triggers the release of the body's existing histamine. Chocolate also contains other biogenic amines, tyramine and phenylethylamine, which slow degradation of histamine.
“Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are fermented cacao seeds. Fermented foods are known to be high in histamine, and chocolate is no exception,” said Wendy Busse, a registered dietitian specializing in food sensitivities.
Other symptoms that may arise after eating chocolate are diarrhea, indigestion, and bloating. These are due to a chocolate intolerance. Symptoms of an intolerance will subside on their own, but medication can help you feel better faster.
Dry, itchy skin
High blood sugar (glucose) can cause this. If you have a skin infection or poor circulation, these could also contribute to dry, itchy skin.
Dry skin: Your body loses moisture at night, which can make your skin itchy. Hormonal changes: At night, your body doesn't produce as many hormones as it does during the day and certain hormones reduce inflammation (swelling). As you have fewer hormones at night, your skin could be itchy.
allergies or skin reactions. parasitic infestations – such as scabies. insect bites and stings. fungal infections – such as athlete's foot or vaginal thrush.
Causes of itchy skin include: Skin conditions. Examples include dry skin (xerosis), eczema (dermatitis), psoriasis, scabies, parasites, burns, scars, insect bites and hives. Internal diseases.
Both vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies may also cause itchy skin, so if you are experiencing chronically itchy skin, getting your level of these vitamins tested can be helpful. This testing will help determine whether these deficiencies are at the root of your skin sensitivities and itchiness.
In addition to the fat component of chocolate, which has been linked to blackheads, some research suggests that chocolate may have pro-inflammatory influences in the skin, which could contribute to inflammatory acne, characterized by red papules and pustules, especially in the presence of known acne-causing bacteria, ...
Despite decades of research, there has been little proof that single foods like chocolate directly cause acne. But that doesn't mean that diet has no influence. It's more likely that the sugar in your chocolate bar or cupcake are to blame for new pimples or deeper breakouts than the cocoa itself.
The most common food allergy signs and symptoms include: Tingling or itching in the mouth. Hives, itching or eczema. Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body.
Sugar intolerance symptoms
Some people may suffer with itchy skin after eating sugar, others may discover there is a link between eating sugar and bloating. There are signs of a sugar intolerance, which you can look out for.
Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs.
Eruptive xanthomatosis: Firm, yellow, pea-sized skin bumps may itch and be encircled in red. This rash most often affects the backs of the hands, feet, arms, legs and buttocks. Among people with Type 1 diabetes, it's most common in men who have high cholesterol.
Unless you have a known milk allergy or soy allergy, if eating chocolate gives you a stomachache, you may be experiencing histamine intolerance, a microbiome imbalance, or even cross-reactivity with a chemically similar compound you are truly allergic to, such as ragweed.
Foods to Avoid if You Have Eczema
For those with dyshidrotic eczema (eczema of the hands and feet), foods that contain nickel make exacerbate symptoms. These include canned meats, chocolate, seeds, beans (including soy), peas, shellfish, and even some black teas.
Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, which means it can lower histamine levels and mitigate allergic reactions and symptoms. Consume plenty of Vitamin C rich foods, like tropical fruits, citrus fruits, broccoli and cauliflower, and berries.
On our trusted Histamine Intolerance Food List, we've listed chocolate as red - foods that our sources seem to agree are high histamine = ? (white chocolate may be slightly better tolerated).
White chocolate is thought by some to be less high in histamine. Some prefer carob over chocolate, but that is also suspect in terms of histamine levels.