Spice Allergy Has Turned Into One Of The Most Common Allergies

Millions of people around the world suffer from allergies. Allergy is a health condition caused by certain triggers, allergens, and is usually manifested with such symptoms as itching, skin redness, running nose, sneezing, muscle age, fever, itchy and watering eyes, and others. There are a few types of this health condition known as common allergies: food allergies (allergies to eggs, fruit, milk, seafood, nuts, sesame, corn, and others), allergies to medicines, allergies to animals and animal products, allergies to mold, fungal allergies, and allergies to plant pollens. As it can be understood, some allergies are temporary (seasonal or caused by consuming one or another food that triggers it), and some are chronic. Some people develop allergies in their life course, and some are genetically predisposed to one or another type of allergies.

Recently, the experts issued a warning that such type of allergy as allergy to spices has become more and more common in the world. It is most probably caused by increased popularity of spicy meals from Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian, and other cuisines. Besides, the scientists report about increased use of various spices like cinnamon, anise, vanilla, and other, in modern cosmetic products like creams, body lotions, etc., as well as in natural household products (mainly as scenting agents). According to the estimations of an expert group at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, nowadays more people suffer from spice allergies then from cat allergies, peanut allergies, household damp, and other common allergies. It is estimated that the number of spice allergy sufferers can go as high as 3 per cent of all people who suffer from allergies, but still a lot of cases are left undetected.

‘With the constantly increasing use of spices in our diet and a variety of cosmetics, we anticipate more and more people will develop this allergy,’ Dr. Sami Bahna, one of the study leaders and a Professor of Louisiana State University said at the presentation of the findings. According to the expert, women are in the risk group because they are more likely to be exposed to increased amounts of spices in their daily life. First of all, women like eating cookies, pies, and other spicy desserts. Besides, women are more open to new tastes in foods are are generally trying Asian spicy cuisines more willingly. Finally, women are using cosmetic products with spices (the research group found out that some types of natural cosmetics contain up to 18 various types of spices as natural ingredients).

Besides, it was found out that those people who have allergies to mugwort and birch pollen are more prone to spice allergies compared to other people. It is also considered that the hotter the spice, the more severe allergy symptoms the person experiences. Allergies to garlic and cinnamon have become very common allergies in the recent years. The experts point to the necessity to create proper tests and other effective approaches to detect spice allergy and help millions of people understand why they are experiencing allergic reactions of unknown nature. Also, they say that in many cases, spices are not stated at the labels of the products, especially on food labels, making spice a very difficult allergen to be identified and avoided. Inability to avoid an allergen in some people very often leads to a serious decrease in life quality.

Spice allergy as one of common allergies can take place not only when eating, but even when breathing in or even touching the spice. If you’re suffering from an unknown type of allergy and suspect that it can be a spice allergy, there is some positive news for you. As the research has shown, applying heat to the spices (like boiling, frying, roasting, etc.) can assist in decreasing the effects of allergens and lower your chances to suffer from the symptoms. This rule is valid for the most of common spices that we’re using for cooking, but not for all of them. According to the report of Dr. Sami Bahna, spice allergy is most likely take place in those people who display allergic reactions on commercially prepared foods but not homemade foods, as well as in those who display repeated symptoms caused by totally unrelated foods.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

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