Salicylate Allergy

What Is Salicylate Allergy?

A salicylate allergy (also called salicylate intolerance or sensitivity) is a reaction that happens when you come in contact with salicylates, salicylic acid, or related chemicals.

Salicylates are found in plants. They’re a natural ingredient in many fruits, vegetables, and spices. Synthetic salicylates are a major ingredient in aspirin and other pain-relieving medications. Natural and synthetic salicylates also are in many common health and beauty products.

Salicylate Allergy Symptoms

These vary but may include:

• Asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing and trouble breathing
• Headaches
• Nasal congestion
• Changes in skin color
• Itching, skin rash, or hives
• Swelling of the hands, feet, and face
• Stomach pain or upset
• Eczema
• Nasal polyps
• Runny nose
• Intestinal inflammation
• Diarrhea
• Colitis

In severe cases, a salicylate allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a life- threatening reaction that is an emergency. But this is rare in the case of salicylate allergy.

The content of salicylates can vary from one item to another and even among batches of the same item from the same source. Some people are more sensitive to these chemicals than others. People with a low tolerance may have an allergic reaction if they get more than a small amount of salicylate.

Salicylate Allergy Causes and Risk Factors

It’s not clear exactly what causes salicylate allergy. Allergies in general happen when the immune system reacts to a food or other substance. This immune reaction leads to inflammation and other symptoms.

You're at higher risk of salicylate allergy if:

• You have family members with allergies
• You have other allergies or asthma.
• You are a child

Some experts think that salicylate allergy may play a role in some cases of other food allergies and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).

What to Avoid

If you’re allergic to salicylates, you’ll need to avoid items that have them.

They're in a variety of foods, medications, and cosmetics, including:

Fragrances and perfumes Shampoos and conditioners Herbal remedies Cosmetics such as lipsticks, lotions, and skin cleansersMouthwash and mint-flavored toothpaste Shaving cream Sunscreens or tanning lotionsMuscle pain creams Alka-Seltzer

Pepto-Bismol

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