Am I Allergic to Chocolate? (2024)

Am I Allergic to Chocolate? (1)

Is a chocolate allergy possible?

Is it certainly possible, but being allergic to chocolate isvery rare, according to Dr. Jonathan Buttram, board-certified allergist and immunologist with UT Health East Texas. It is more common to have an allergy to one of the ingredients. 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 allergyreactions.

Food allergies are most often characterized by a combination of two or more of the following: skin symptoms like itching, hives and/or swelling, asthma-like symptoms such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, severe abdominal symptoms including pain, cramping, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, or a drop in blood pressure resulting in lightheadedness or passing out. Symptoms of food allergies usually occur within a few minutes of ingestion and fully resolve within 24 hours. Symptoms are reproducible, occurring again with re-exposures.

Chocolate allergy symptoms

In addition to true allergic reactions, chocolate can cause other symptoms unrelated to allergy. For instance, chocolate will mix with mucus in the back of the throat to cause thickening of the secretions and increased throat clearing. The vasoactive amine content of chocolate relaxes the smooth muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, causing worsening reflux or heartburn. The same vasoactive amines may also precipitate migraine headaches. Though these syndromes would not be "allergic," they are well known responses to chocolate that individuals may experience.

If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction to chocolate, avoid it strictly and see a board-certified allergist and immunologist for a thorough evaluation. If your symptoms are more consistent with the non-allergic syndromes, discuss with your primary care physician.

Information provided by Jonathan W. Buttram, MD, FACP, board-certified allergist and immunologist who practices at UT Health North Campus Tyler. To schedule an appointment, call 903-877-8481.

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Am I Allergic to Chocolate? (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if you are allergic to chocolate? ›

You may be allergic if you experience any of the following when you consume chocolate:
  • Hives.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Wheezing.
  • Stomach cramps.
  • Vomiting.
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.
Nov 1, 2022

What is chocolate allergy list? ›

Chocolate Allergy Symptoms
  • Migraines.
  • Heartburn.
  • Cramps.
  • Swelling.
  • Cough.
  • Itching, hives, or chocolate allergy rash.
  • Anaphylaxis.

What percentage of people are allergic to chocolate? ›

The study stated 4.3% of the reported food-related adverse reactions, and 0.78% said food allergen associated allergic reactions were commonly due to chocolate(5).

Why does my throat tickle when I eat chocolate? ›

The short explanation is that the methylxanthine compounds found in chocolate can cause throat irritation and a burnt feeling for some people. These compounds, when consumed in excess, can create an uncomfortable burning sensation by blocking signals between nerve cells.

How do I flush chocolate out of my system? ›

Flush out all that sweet stuff from your system by hydrating ASAP with water or other low-sugar fluids, and foods high in water content.

Why do I feel sick after eating chocolate? ›

Dark chocolate has higher theobromine compared to milk and white chocolate. But accordingly, overindulging in chocolate (and therefore theobromine) may lead to feeling restless, headaches and nausea.

How do you fix a chocolate allergy? ›

Treatments Available for Chocolate Allergy
  • Antihistamines: Mild allergic reactions may be managed with over-the-counter antihistamines to relieve symptoms like itching and hives.
  • Epinephrine: In cases of severe reactions or anaphylaxis, an epinephrine injection is essential to counteract the life-threatening symptoms.

Is there non allergic chocolate? ›

Pascha Chocolate

Their dark chocolates are free of the Top 8 allergens. They have a wide variety of allergy free recipes on their website. Products are free of peanuts, tree nut, wheat, gluten, soy, egg, dairy, and sesame.

Which celebrity is allergic to chocolate? ›

Clay Aiken: American singer, TV personality, actor, and politician. He gained fame when he came in second place on the second season of American Idol in 2003. Clay is allergic to several foods, including coffee, chocolate, shellfish, tree nuts, and mushrooms.

Is chocolate high in histamine? ›

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.

What's the most common allergy? ›

Milk is the most common allergen for children, followed by egg and peanut. Shellfish is the most common allergen for adults, followed by peanut and tree nut.

What are symptoms of chocolate sensitivity? ›

People who are sensitive to chocolate can have symptoms like:
  • acne.
  • bloating or gas.
  • constipation.
  • headaches or migraines.
  • skin rash, or contact dermatitis.
  • upset stomach.

Why do I start coughing when I eat chocolate? ›

Some people who display an allergic reaction to chocolate may be allergic to milk products. A person who is allergic to milk may experience some immediate symptoms in the first hours after eating milk products, such as hives, a wheezing cough, or nausea.

Why do I feel funny when I eat chocolate? ›

Theobromine content: Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine, which acts as a mild brain stimulant and can have similar effects to caffeine. Overindulging in chocolate, especially dark chocolate with higher theobromine content, may lead to restlessness, headaches, and nausea (2).

Can you suddenly become intolerant to chocolate? ›

Chocolate allergies are rare. If you're having a reaction when you eat chocolate, you may be reacting to something else. You also may have a sensitivity instead of an allergy. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

What are the side effects of chocolate? ›

Eating large amounts might cause caffeine-related side effects such as nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat. Cocoa can cause allergic skin reactions and might also trigger migraine headaches. It can also cause nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation, and gas.

Why does chocolate upset my stomach? ›

Chocolate contains fat in the form of cacao butter. Milk and white chocolate also typically contain added fat from milk. Eating content high in fat typically causes the digestive system to produce more bile in order to aid digestion. This can result in a higher level of acid in your stomach.

What does a mild allergic reaction feel like? ›

Things like pollen, dander or food particles will cause the immune system to produce antibodies that identify these substances as harmful, even though they aren't. The body will then develop symptoms or reactions, such as itching, sneezing, skin rashes, difficulty breathing and more.

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