Chocolate and Sweets Allergy: Causes and Signs

A rash after candy or a piece of cake is easily blamed on a "sweet allergy." But food allergy is possible to any product and any ingredient in a dish. Let's break down what medicine knows and how to distinguish allergy from intolerance.

Can there be an allergy to chocolate, cocoa, and sugar

Food allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to food: the immune system mistakenly takes food proteins for dangerous. It usually runs a mild course, but in some people it can be serious. The list of the most common food allergens: cow's milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, soy, peanuts, fish, and seafood. Cocoa and sugar are not on the list of common allergens. At the same time, allergy is possible to any product. The real prevalence of food allergy is 1.5–2% in adults and about 6% in children, while the number of people who are sure they have an allergy is noticeably higher.

Common manifestations of food allergy

Symptoms can involve different parts of the body at the same time and appear immediately after eating or after days. Common manifestations:

• hives and itching of the skin;
• swelling of the lips, face, and tongue;
• nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea;
• cough and wheezing.

Symptoms: rash and skin manifestations

In addition, redness or rash, tingling and itching in the mouth, and dizziness are possible. Rash, itching, and redness of the skin are common manifestations of food allergy; the cause of the rash is determined by a doctor. The set of symptoms can be different each time, sometimes it depends on the amount eaten.

Sweet allergy in children

Allergy occurs in both children and adults. Some children outgrow it, and sometimes allergy appears already in adulthood. The risk is higher if there is atopic dermatitis, asthma, or other allergies, and also if allergy, asthma, or eczema is present in close relatives. There is evidence that urban children have allergy more often than rural ones: a more sterile environment and air pollution play a role. In children, the reaction is most often caused by chicken eggs and cow's milk, followed by products that are eaten frequently in the country.

How to distinguish allergy from intolerance

Intolerance is a reaction to food without the involvement of the immune system. Symptoms are usually digestive: bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and they appear more often several hours after eating. Allergy is an immune response to proteins, and its symptoms can be skin, respiratory, and digestive at the same time; they are possible immediately after eating or after days. The final answer is given by a doctor after examination.

How food allergy is diagnosed and when to see a doctor

The doctor will ask about symptoms, family history, and other allergies, and will examine you or the child. Skin tests, a blood test for food antibodies, and a diagnostic diet with elimination of the product are possible; the doctor may ask you to keep a food and symptom diary. The oral provocation test, when the product is given under the supervision of a specialist, is considered the most accurate test. You should see a doctor if you suspect an allergy in yourself or in a child. Eliminating products from the diet for a long time without discussing it with a doctor is not advised.

A sweet allergy by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103/112 — if the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swell; severe difficulty breathing appears, breathing becomes frequent, wheezing, or with a feeling of suffocation; the throat tightens or it is difficult to swallow; the skin, tongue, or lips become blue, gray, or pale; a rash appears that has swollen; the person suddenly becomes confused, drowsy, has dizziness, or blood pressure drops sharply; someone has lost consciousness and does not wake up; a child has gone limp and does not react as usual.

The material is for reference: it does not replace a doctor's consultation, so if you suspect an allergy, discuss it with a specialist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer