Cinnamon is a popular spice in many dishes. Whether it is cinnamon rolls or cinnamon toast, this spice has an appealing smell and taste. Cinnamon gives dishes a distinct flavor. Unfortunately, some people experience an allergic reaction to cinnamon. These people have high sensitivity toward a particular protein found in the spice.
What are the uses of cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a spice, which comes from the bark of various species of cinnamon trees native to certain parts of China, India and Southeast Asia. Cinnamon is mainly used in food to enhance flavor. Many people use cinnamon for medicinal purposes. It is commonly found in the following
- Chewing gum
- Toothpaste
- Applesauce
- Oatmeal
- Breakfast cereals
- Baked goods (cookies, muffins, pies or cakes)
- Candies
- Mouthwash
- Flavored tea
- Flavored coffee
People should be aware that cinnamon may not directly appear on food labels. The United States Food and Drug Administration allows manufacturers to list some ingredients, including cinnamon, under titles, such as spices or flavoring. It may also be listed on labels as cassia or mixed spice.
What are the symptoms of cinnamon allergy?
Spice allergy accounts for up to two percent of all allergies, which go undiagnosed. Only a small percent of people experience allergic reactions after ingesting or coming into contact with cinnamon. The symptoms are
- Tingling, itching and swelling of the lips, face and tongue
- Swelling in other parts of the body
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Nasal congestion
- Hives
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Itching
Rarely, people may experience a severe, life-threatening, anaphylactic reaction that can cause them to go into shock. If experiencing any of the following symptoms, immediately consult a physician
- Trouble breathing
- Hives or swelling
- Throat tightness
- Hoarse voice
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Feeling of doom
- Cardiac arrest
What causes cinnamon allergy?
Breathing, touching or eating cinnamon can trigger allergic reactions in some people. The artificial cinnamon flavor in gum, toothpaste or mouthwash can cause allergic reactions in rare cases. The artificial cinnamon flavor may cause contact stomatitis, leading to burning or itching in the mouth. This condition resolves once people stop ingesting cinnamon. Cinnamyl alcohol or cinnamaldehyde, used in fragrances, can also trigger a reaction in some people.
How is cinnamon allergy treated?
The first step in treating cinnamon allergy is to avoid cinnamon or limit its exposure. If experiencing an allergic reaction, the physician may prescribe antihistamine medications, such as diphenhydramine.
The physician may also prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector to control anaphylactic reaction until the patient gets medical help. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends that children with cinnamon allergy and their caretakers carry an epinephrine auto-injector to avoid any mishaps.
References
Medscape Medical Reference
Allergy Knowledge Base
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Allergy Knowledge Base
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Complete List
Top Is It Possible to Be Allergic to Cinnamon Related Articles
What Is Allergic Cascade?
The allergic cascade refers to allergic reactions that happen in the body in response to allergens. A variety of immune cells and chemical messengers participate in the allergic cascade. Symptoms of the allergic cascade range from mild swelling and itching to full-blown anaphylactic shock. Allergen avoidance and medications are used to prevent or treat allergies.
Antihistamine Shots (Injections)
Antihistamine shots or injections are prescription drugs used for the rapid treatment of allergic reactions, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and induce sedation. The common side effects of this type of medication include dizziness, drowsiness (sleepiness), dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, increased or decreased blood pressure, headache, abnormal heart rate, nausea, trouble breathing, tiredness (fatigue), and weakness.Antihistamines (Oral)
Oral antihistamines are medications used to treat symptoms of congestion, runny nose, the common cold, sneezing, itchy throat, skin rashes, hives, itching, and watery or itchy eyes. Some antihistamines also are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and motion sickness. Common side effects of first-generation antihistamines include drowsiness, dry mouth, decreased tear production, urinary retention (trouble urinating), blurred vision, constipation, and agitation.betamethasone
Betamethasone is a synthetic steroid taken as an oral medication, injections into the skin, or a topical cream, and is used to treat inflammation from various disorders, including skin conditions, asthma, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, and others. Common side effects include allergic reactions (swelling), acne, hives, itching, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia), heart enlargement, fainting, fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), blood clot blockage in a blood vessel (thromboembolism), vein inflammation with blood clots (thrombophlebitis), and others. Consult your doctor before taking if pregnant or breastfeeding.chlorpheniramine
Chlorpheniramine is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve symptoms of colds and allergies including sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes. Common side effects of chlorpheniramine include central nervous system depression, sedation ranging from mild drowsiness to deep sleep (most frequent), dizziness, lack of energy (lassitude), impaired coordination, muscular weakness, restlessness, faintness, insomnia, euphoria, nervousness, irritability, delirium, and others. Consult your doctor before taking chlorpheniramine if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Food Allergies Slides
What common food allergens cause the most problems for adults and children? See this list of common food allergies and learn to avoid allergens with these tips.cyproheptadine
Cyproheptadine is a medication used to prevent and treat allergic reactions including sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, swelling, itching, rashes, and hives. Common side effects of cyproheptadine include temporary sedation and sleepiness, confusion, restlessness, excitation, nervousness, irritability, euphoria, hallucinations, hysteria, insomnia, disturbed coordination, and others. Cyproheptadine may affect mental alertness and physical ability; do not engage in activities such as driving or operating heavy machinery. Do not take if breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if pregnant.
Food Allergy
The most common food allergies are to eggs, nuts, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries and tomatoes. Symptoms and signs of a food allergy reaction include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, itching, hives, eczema, asthma, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis. Allergy skin tests, RAST, and ELISA tests may be used to diagnose a food allergy. Though dietary avoidance may be sufficient treatment for mild allergies, the use of an Epipen may be necessary for severe food allergies.
Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Could the jar of cinnamon on your spice rack be the secret to better skin, a healthier heart, lower blood sugar, and more? Find out if the claims hold up.hydroxyzine
Hydroxyzine is a drug prescribed to treat itching caused by a variety of allergic conditions, nausea, vomiting, and alcohol withdrawal. Common side effects of hydroxyzine are sedation, tiredness, sleepiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, drying and thickening of oral and other respiratory secretions, and stomach distress. Do not take hydroxyzine if pregnant or breastfeeding.levocetirizine
Levocetirizine is a second generation antihistamine drug available over the counter (OTC), used to relieve allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and itching. Side effects of levocetirizine include dry mouth, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, central nervous system (CNS) depression, drowsiness, sedation, dizziness, mental or physical weariness, disturbed coordination, restlessness, inability to sleep (insomnia), and others. Symptoms of overdose can include drowsiness in adults and initially restlessness and agitation, followed by drowsiness in pediatric patients.loratadine
Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine drug used to relieve nasal and non-nasal symptoms of hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) and to treat chronic itching from hives (chronic idiopathic urticaria). Common side effects of loratadine include headache, drowsiness (somnolence), fatigue, dry mouth (xerostomia), oral inflammation (stomatitis), abdominal pain, altered salivation, taste perversion (dysgeusia), loss of appetite (anorexia), gas (flatulence), indigestion (dyspepsia), constipation, diarrhea, and others. Do not take with alcohol or other sedative drugs. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a medication available over the counter (OTC) used for temporary relief from sinus congestion and nasal congestion caused by cold, hay fever, upper respiratory infections, and allergies. Common side effects of pseudoephedrine include chest tightness, circulatory shock with low blood pressure (hypotension), irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), palpitations, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), high blood pressure (hypertension), transient central nervous system stimulation, chills, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, vertigo, and others. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid commonly used as an herbal supplement for conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetic cataract prevention, viral infections, cardiovascular diseases, and more. High doses (greater than 1 g per day) of quercetin may cause kidney damage. Quercetin is not approved by the FDA for therapeutic purposes. Common side effects of quercetin include abnormal skin sensations (paresthesia), headache, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and toxicity to kidney (nephrotoxicity). Quercetin is not recommended for use in children. Do not take quercetin if pregnant or breastfeeding.triamcinolone
Triamcinolone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug used to treat inflammatory conditions that affect the skin, joints, and internal organs, and autoimmune disorders. Common side effects of triamcinolone include joint swelling, bruises (contusions), cough, sinus inflammation (sinusitis), irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), slow or rapid heart rate (bradycardia or tachycardia), heart enlargement (cardiomegaly), high blood pressure (hypertension), cardiac failure, heart muscle rupture, thickened heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) in premature infants, cerebrovascular accident, circulatory shock, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), blood clot block in blood vessels (thromboembolism), and others.
Is Food Intolerance the Same as Food Allergy?
Food intolerance is a condition in which an individual has difficulty in digesting certain foods. Consumption of these foods manifests as physical symptoms such as bloating, loose motion, gases, and bellyache. Food intolerance is quite common. Most people are aware of the foods that disagree with them.