Cinnamon Allergy

Many pastries and other foods in bakeries and restaurants contain cinnamon to enhance the taste. However, there are people who suffer from allergies to cinnamon. This can be a difficult problem since cinnamon can often be contained in foods without most people noticing.

Cinnamon Allergy Symptoms

The symptoms of cinnamon allergy may vary from mild to severe. Some of the most common symptoms are:

Runny nose
Soreness, redness and watering of the eyes
Asthma-like symptoms such as shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
Swelling of the lips and/or tongue
Nausea

Severe Cinnamon Allergy Symptoms

The above symptoms are not dangerous and are usually easier to treat. The signs of cinnamon allergy, nonetheless, may vary from one person to another. The following symptoms can be considered severe:

Skin dermatitis - contact with cinnamon may result to having inflammation of the skin. Patients may experience having eczema, irritation and blistering. The first signs observed may include redness or occurrence of rashes in the area of skin that came in contact with cinnamon.
Upset stomach - gastrointestinal upset is one of the dangerous symptoms that should be observed by those who are suspected to have allergy to cinnamon. Signs may include diarrhea, vomiting or stomach cramps. The observance of these symptoms may vary from minutes to couple of hours after cinnamon has been eaten, as emphasized by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Facial swelling - this is a especially common sign of allergy. Patients with cinnamon allergy usually experience bloating of the face coupled with consistent coughing and vomiting.
Anaphylactic Shock - compared to other symptoms, this usually occurs in lesser frequency. However, this may be considered as the most dangerous sign of cinnamon allergy because of it being potentially life-threatening. Anaphylactic shock may be observed after having unusual heartbeat, dizziness or lightheadedness, delirium or confusion, sudden drop in blood pressure, shock, and loss of consciousness as suggested by MedlinePlus. Patients who experience these signs after eating cinnamon are highly advised to see a doctor immediately.

Cinnamon Allergy In Children

It is usually the adults who experience these cinnamon allergy symptoms. There are cases, though, when these signs are observed among babies especially since a number of baby foods are whipped and manufactured with added cinnamon flavoring.

Cinnamon may not be included in the list of common food allergies experienced by babies and toddlers, but there is a big possibility that cinnamon can cause allergic reactions.

Allergy to cinnamon generally occurs among infants and younger children as a result of the failure of immune system to recognize it as a safe substance thereby causing the immune system to fight it off an defend the body. Antibodies are then created to ward off the cinnamon and start the production of histamine that causes irritation and inflammation throughout the kids' bodies.

Cinnamon Allergy Symptoms In Children

The most common sign of cinnamon allergy observed among infants and younger children is skin dermatitis. Parents may observe swelling, irritation and redness around the skin area that came in contact with cinnamon. This can be treated simply by washing the area with soap and water. Persistence of the irritation can be relieved by applying a small amount of hydrocortisone.

Other symptoms may include the following:

Babies turning fussy, inconsolable and agitated after eating foods containing cinnamon
Diarrhea
Constant vomiting
Stomachaches and cramps
Asthma and breathing difficulties
Nasal congestion
Wheezing

There may also be cases when the children show more severe symptoms that include appearing lethargic and flushing of skin. In such cases, it is a must to bring them to the doctor and get immediate medical attention.

Testing Children For Cinnamon Allergy

Whenever the kids are suspected to have allergic reaction to cinnamon, doctors perform a skin patch test. It is during this process that the pediatrician places a small amount of cinnamon on a patch which is placed on the kids' skin for 20 to 30 minutes.

A normal skin would indicate that the kids are safe from cinnamon allergy. In such cases, it is important for parents to check other possible foods that the kids may be allergic too. On the other hand, when irritation of the skin is experienced, parents should eliminate cinnamon from the diets of their children.

Cinnamon Allergy Causes

Cinnamon oil has been a popular allergen since the 19th century. The first reactions to the substance were observed from people who became fond of sucking Cinnamon-soaked toothpicks that caused contact dermatitis.

Several patients observed the signs immediately after eating or touching cinnamon. Nonetheless, there are symptoms which may be considered as delayed type IV reactions, which means the allergic reaction to cinnamon only shows within hours after the intake of cinnamon.

In some cases, it would be tricky to point out which substance the patients are really allergic too as many products don't contain actual cinnamon and use cassia as alternative. In fact "cinnamon" found in many grocery stores are actually cassia. Thus, it is important to pinpoint the correct allergen to come up with the best and most proper treatment. It is always important to seek the advice of the doctors first.