f93 Cacao | Thermo Fisher Scientific (2024)

FAQs

How rare is a cocoa allergy? ›

A true chocolate allergy is rare, affecting less than 1% of the population, but it can cause anaphylaxis in certain people.

To date, no major cacao allergens have yet been recognized. The seed of this plant contains albumin 2S protein, which is associated with allergenicity. Cross-reactivity has been observed with chocolate, lupin, milk peanut, walnut, tree nut etc.

Hives all over and swelling of the face are the most common symptoms. Hives are raised pink bumps with pale centers (welts). They look like bug bites. Life-threatening allergic reactions also must have trouble breathing and/or swallowing.

Chocolate allergy symptoms

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 Rarest (And Strangest) Allergies

Water: Medically known as aquagenic urticaria, patients with a water allergy develop painful hives and rashes when their skin is exposed to water.

The top eight food allergens are eggs, milk, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Several of these ingredients are very common in chocolate bars, cakes, brownies, puddings, and more.

Hershey's Cocoa Natural Unsweetened. This product is likely peanut free.

Most people who have tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut. A study by the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology found that children who had tree nut or peanut allergies or sensitivities were not more likely to be sensitive to coconut.

It is important to be aware of • unexpected sources of tree nuts such as: Chocolates Many chocolates contain tree nuts. It is important to always read the food label on the package and steer clear if the label states “contains tree nuts” or if it has one of the precautionary labels above.

If symptoms are severe, that means administering epinephrine. There is no way to flush food allergens out of your system. Rather, you need to avoid ingesting the food that triggers your allergy. And if severe symptoms occur, you need to treat the symptoms, with epinephrine.

What happens if you keep eating food you're allergic to? ›

They can manifest as a spectrum of symptoms, ranging from itching, redness and swelling for milder reactions, to vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and other potentially life-threatening symptoms for severe reactions.

Use an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin), to treat mild symptoms. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Mild symptoms include sneezing or an itchy or runny nose; an itchy mouth; a few hives or mild itching; and mild nausea or stomach discomfort.

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.

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.

A true allergy to cacao or cocoa is rare. Most cases of chocolate allergy are caused by an allergic reaction to an ingredient in chocolate or only a sensitivity to chocolate. Cases of severe allergy should be taken seriously and can be life-threatening.

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.

Cocoa allergy is relatively rare, yet recognizing its symptoms can be crucial for those sensitive to it. The signs often mimic other food allergies, beginning within minutes to a few hours after ingesting cocoa. Look for hives, skin redness, or eczema, which are common indicators.

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.