Cilantro Allergies: What Are They?
What are the symptoms of a cilantro allergy?
If you have had any reaction to cilantro or its products, then you may experience these symptoms.
Itchy eyes, skin, mouth and throat.
Sneezing and itchy eyes.
Runny nose, wheeze or chest tightness.
Nausea or vomiting.
Cilantro Allergy Symptoms: Common Symptoms of a Coriander Sensitive Reaction?
The following list is based on my own experiences with cilantro allergies and reactions. I am sure there are many other symptoms that you may experience.
Hives, redness and swelling of your face, lips or tongue.
Rash like eruptions from your arms and legs.
Dizziness or fainting spells. (If you feel dizzy when eating cilantro)
How to Identify a Cilantro Allergy?
The following signs and symptoms suggest a cilantro allergy. If they persist, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should consult a doctor if you have eaten cilantro recently and experience any of the following:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Chest pains or tightness.
Swelling of the throat or tongue.
Going to the emergency room as an allergic reaction could be life-threatening.
You are able to eat other foods and do not have any other symptoms of an allergic reaction. You also know for certain that it was cilantro or its family that you ingested.
Are Cilantro Allergies Contagious?
Allergies can be transferred from person to person, from animals to people and even from food to people. For example, a person who has a shellfish allergy should not eat foods prepared by someone who has been eating shellfish. A person with a cilantro allergy should be especially careful as some of the symptoms are similar to food poisoning.
If you have ingested cilantro and have severe reactions, you need to be extra careful. If you experience any shortness of breath or problems breathing, seek immediate medical attention. If you fall unconscious, emergency responders will be prepared.
How Can I Prevent a Cilantro Allergy?
You can avoid eating cilantro and its related food products. If you are unsure, you can always ask a waiter or your server whether the food contains cilantro or not. You may also want to inform your friends and family about your situation.
How Can I Manage a Cilantro Allergy?
If you have a cilantro allergy, there is not much you can do except to stay away from it. Avoid ordering food or consuming anything in a restaurant that you believe to contain cilantro. If you are unsure, ask a waiter or your server.
If you work in a kitchen, you can ask your employer if there is any cilantro in the food. Cilantro is not as popular as it used to be. Most people are now aware that it contains an allergen so cilantro should never be left in the ingredients.
If you eat out or order in and experience any cilantro allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention.
Are There Any Natural Treatments for Cilantro Allergies?
There are no natural treatments for cilantro allergies because an allergy is a condition in which your immune system overreacts to a substance that does not harm most people.
Before using any home remedy for a cilantro allergy, check with your doctor first.
Questions & Answers
Is it Possible to Be Allergic to Cilantro but Able to Eat Other Herbs and Spices?
It is possible to be allergic to cilantro but still able to eat other herbs and spices because cilantro contains a type of protein called histamine that is also found in some common foods. It is possible to be allergic to one type of a food but not another.
Can I Be Allergic to Just One Part of the Cilantro Plant?
The most common allergen in cilantro is the pollen. It is possible to be allergic only to the pollen and not to the leaves or stem. If you work in a kitchen, make sure your employer knows about your allergy so that cilantro never makes it into the food.
Does Cilantro Have Other Names?
Cilantro has many names including coriander, Chinese parsley, and Mexican parsley. Most people who are allergic to cilantro experience an allergic reaction after eating at a restaurant as cilantro is not as common in food as it used to be.
Sources & references used in this article:
Contact allergy to food by A Range, T Time
Oral allergy syndrome–the need of a multidisciplinary approach by RR Brancaccio, MS Alvarez – Dermatologic therapy, 2004 – Wiley Online Library
Multidisciplinary approaches to allergies by N Kelava, L Lugović-Mihić, T Duvančić… – Acta Clin …, 2014 – pdfs.semanticscholar.org
The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook: Two Hundred Gourmet & Homestyle Recipes for the Food Allergic Family by ZS Gao, HH Shen, M Zheng, LJ Frewer, LJWJ Gilissen – 2013 – books.google.com
The Anti-inflammation Diet and Recipe Book: Protect Yourself and Your Family from Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Allergies–and More by C Pascal – 2006 – books.google.com
Acid reflux in children: how healthy eating can fix your Child’s asthma, allergies, obesity, nasal congestion, Cough & Croup by JK Black, J Black – 2006 – books.google.com
