Symptoms, causes, treatment and more

Caffeine is a substance that raises vigilance and stimulates energy. Most adults can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, equivalent to approximately four cups of 8 ounce brewed coffee. For people allergic at caffeine, even small quantities can trigger symptoms that range from light to serious.

Caffeine helps you feel more awake by blocking the effects of adenosine, A chemical in the brain supports sleep and raises adrenaline, a hormone that stimulates energy.

Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Sensitivity to caffeine means that the body is slowly metabolizing or treats caffeine, making you feel its effects more intensely. After consuming any amount of caffeine, people sensitive to this may experience symptoms like:

• Headache
• Sweet or agitation
• Quick heart rate (tachycardia))
• Diarrhea or stomach aches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety
• Irritability

Unlike caffeine sensitivity, a real allergy involves the immune system. If you have an allergy to caffeine, your body wrongly considers caffeine as a threat and releases antibodies to fight it, similar to the way it would react to other food allergies. This type of reaction can cause serious and potentially fatal symptoms.

Symptoms of caffeine allergy can go from light to serious and generally develop in a few minutes to two hours after caffeine consumption. Symptoms can affect many parts of your body, including your skin, your lungs, the heart, the digestive system and the brain.

Symptoms of a light to moderate to caffeine allergic reaction may include:

• Itchy skin or rush
• Lips, tongue or swelling of the throat
• Cough or whistling breathing (whistling of the whistling when breathing)
• A tingling feeling in your mouth
• Digestive symptoms, such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing

In rare cases, an allergy to caffeine can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction which requires immediate medical care. Symptoms include:

• Hives everywhere in the body
• Intense face, lips or swelling of the tongue
• Severe whistling breathing or difficulty breathing
• A feeling of misfortune, as something bad will happen
• Quick heart rate
• Chest pain or waterproofing
• Repeated vomiting or severe diarrhea
• Fainting or loss of consciousness

An allergy to caffeine develops when your immune system confuses caffeine for a dangerous substance. When you consume caffeine, your body makes antibodies (immune system) called immunoglobulin e (IgE) Fighting what he thinks is a threat. These antibodies trigger the release of chemicals, such as histamine, a hormone that causes allergic symptoms.

Experts do not fully understand why some people develop caffeine allergies while others do not. Genetics probably plays a role, because food allergies are often in families. Genetics can also influence your sensitivity to caffeine. Some people treat caffeine more slowly, which can make them more likely to feel nervous or anxious after consuming it.

Having other allergic conditions, such as asthma, eczema or hay fever, can be a risk factor for an allergy to caffeine.

The diagnosis of an allergy to caffeine can be difficult because it is so rare. A light allergy has symptoms similar to sensitivity to caffeine, so a health care provider, such as an aller -ist, will order allergy tests to confirm a diagnosis of caffeine allergy. An allergist is a doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma.

To diagnose an allergy to caffeine, an allergist will first check your medical history and ask you for your symptoms, including when they perform and what you have eaten or drank in the hours before their appearance. They can also recommend one or more allergy tests or strategies, such as:

• Skin bite test: A health care provider places a small drop of liquid containing caffeine on your skin, then pique slightly, or pierces, the area, allowing the substance to enter just below the surface. If a red and itching bump appears within 15-30 minutes, this may indicate an allergic reaction.
• IgE blood test: This test checks IgE antibodies specific to caffeine in your blood circulation, indicating an allergic response. A health professional will draw a small blood sample, generally from your arm, and send it to a laboratory for analysis.
• Oral challenge (by mouth): During an oral challenge, you will consume small increasing quantities of caffeine under narrow medical supervision. If the symptoms of allergies develop, you will receive rapid treatment. If no reaction occurs, it is unlikely that you will be allergic to caffeine.

The only reliable way to prevent symptoms of caffeine allergy is to avoid all sources of caffeine. If you consume caffeine and develop symptoms, treatment will depend on the severity of your reaction. Your health professional may recommend one or more of the following drugs:

• Antihistamines: They help manage light to moderate symptoms, such as itching, hives or swelling. They work by blocking histamine, a chemical that your immune system releases during an allergic reaction.
• Steroids: These help reduce inflammation after an allergic reaction and can be given orally (by the oral) or intravenously (IV), which is medicine given by a vein, in the event of an emergency. They do not work quickly enough to treat anaphylaxis (a fatal allergic reaction) by themselves. However, they can help manage other serious allergic reactions.
• Epinephrine:: It is an adrenaline injection (shot) which deals with serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Epinephrine acts quickly to open respiratory tract, increase blood pressure and reduce the swelling of the throat. People with a known caffeine allergy that are at risk of anaphylaxis can be prescribed a epinephrine auto-injector (like an EPIPEN) to be used in an emergency.

If you or someone else shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulties in breathing, a sealing of the throat or fainting, use epinephrine immediately and call 911. The anaphylaxis can be fatal and the search for rapid treatment can help prevent complications or death.

The most effective way to prevent symptoms is to eliminate all sources of caffeine from your diet. This includes:

• Coffee and espresso
• Black, green and some teas based on plants
• Chocolate and cocoa products
• Soda and energy drinks
• Pre-workout powders and energy supplements
• Some over-the-counter drugs, such as excellent migraine (acetaminophen-aspirin-caféine) and full midol (acetaminophen / caffeine / pyrilamin)

Always read the ingredient labels carefully to avoid hidden sources of caffeine. Caffeine naturally exists in more than 60 plants, and several of them are often added to energy drinks and food supplements. These plants based on plants may not be labeled as caffeine, so be sure to check the names of specific ingredients, in particular:

• Guarana
• Yerba Mate
• Nut
• Green tea extract

People allergic to caffeine may be more likely to develop or have other allergic conditions, in particular:

• Food allergies: Having a food allergy can increase your risk of allergies to other foods, such as nuts or dairy products.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema): A chronic skin condition which causes itching and inflamed of the skin and is more frequent in people with food allergies.
• Allergic asthma: If you have food allergies, you are more likely to have allergic asthma, which is triggered by exposure to allergens.

Having an allergy to caffeine means being very careful about what you eat, drink and the drugs or supplements you take. It is important to read labels carefully because caffeine can be found in many different products, such as energy bars, pain relievers and plants based on. Once you know what to avoid and how to locate hidden sources, allergy management becomes easier.

If your reactions are serious, your health care provider may prescribe an EPIPEN in the event of accidental exposure. It is also a good idea to leave close friends, family members or colleagues know your allergy so that they can help you in an emergency. Although it makes a certain adjustment, people allergic to caffeine can live a healthy and active life by remaining informed and prepared.