What's to know about cinnamon allergy?

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Cinnamon is present in a wide range of foods and drinks, including:

• baked goods
• puddings and desserts
• ice-cream
• candy and chewing gum
• breakfast cereals and cereal bars
• foods such as curries and flavored rice
• spice blends such as Chinese five spice or garam masala
• soups and sauces
• herbal teas, specialty coffees, and other drinks
• restaurant and takeout meals

People should be aware that cinnamon may not appear directly in a list of ingredients on a food product.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allow producers to list some ingredients, including cinnamon, under headings such as “flavors,” “spices,” or “flavoring.” Cinnamon may also be listed on labels as “cassia” or “mixed spice.”

Cinnamon may also be present in personal hygiene products, such as:

• toothpaste
• mouthwash
• fragrances and perfumes

The label may only show “fragrance” or “flavoring,” rather than “cinnamon.”

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), approximately 2 to 3 percent of those with food allergies live with a spice allergy.

Most commonly, spices cause a non-allergic reaction-such as a rash or a cough from inhaling the spice.

Rarely, people report anaphylaxis. This is a severe allergic reaction.

Reactions can occur during or after breathing, eating, or even touching the spice.

They vary between people, and they can range from mild to severe.

Some common symptoms include:

• nausea
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• tingling, itching or swelling of the face or other parts of the body
• difficulty breathing
• hives
• dizziness
• fainting
• rashes, inflammation, irritation, or blistering of the skin

In rare cases, a cinnamon allergy may cause anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal, severe allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis needs urgent medical attention.

Symptoms include:

• a sudden drop in blood pressure
• difficulty breathing
• loss of consciousness
• shock

Without treatment, it can lead to coma or death.

An anaphylactic reaction may occur in the seconds or minutes after exposure to an allergen. Occasionally, it can take place 30 minutes or more after exposure.

People who have a cinnamon allergy need to take care, because cinnamon is common in cooking and cosmetics.

The ACAAI note that people who are living with a spice allergy can experience a low quality of life, restrictive diets, and possibly malnutrition as they attempt to avoid trigger foods.

People who have a cinnamon allergy should work closely with an allergist to manage their condition. A nutritionist or dietician may help them to ensure they meet their nutritional needs.

Other strategies for living with a cinnamon allergy include paying close attention to product labels when shopping, preparing meals when possible, and informing any restaurant staff of allergies when dining out.

Cinnamon replacement options for cooking

People can replace cinnamon with similar spices when cooking at home.

Possible substitutes include:

• allspice
• anise
• caraway
• cloves
• fennel
• ginger
• mace
• nutmeg
• vanilla

When people prepare food at home, they can be more certain about which ingredients they include. However, items such as “mixed spice” and cake mixes may still contain cinnamon.

People who have reactions to multiple foods or unrelated foods may have a reaction to cinnamon.

If reactions occur after consuming pre-packaged or restaurant foods but do not occur after eating homemade versions of the same items, they could be due to a spice allergy.

It is important to remember that reactions can develop after touching or inhaling cinnamon and other spices. People should check personal care products and other household items thoroughly to see if they contain cinnamon.

Keeping a record of the foods, drinks, and other items that trigger symptoms can be very helpful when diagnosing allergies.

Working with a doctor or allergy specialist is important when diagnosing a cinnamon allergy.

These healthcare professionals can recommend suitable blood tests, skin prick tests, or diets to find the allergen accurately.

An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies a specific substance in a food as harmful. The body then releases certain antibodies to destroy the allergen.

When the person consumes the food again — even in tiny quantities — the antibodies immediately signal the release of chemicals. These cause the various allergy symptoms.

An intolerance to a particular food can cause many of the same symptoms as a true allergy, but the antibodies will not be present.

Symptoms that can occur with spice that are a sign of an intolerance rather than an allergy may include:

• a skin rash
• itching in the mouth
• coughing after breathing in the spice

Many people with an intolerance can eat limited amounts of their problem foods without having any adverse reactions.

It is best to work with an allergist or doctor to figure out the difference between a cinnamon allergy and a cinnamon intolerance.

Treatment usually involves limiting exposure to cinnamon or completely avoiding it.

To relieve symptoms of an allergic reaction, a doctor may recommend the use of an antihistamine medication, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

When a person has a food allergy diagnosis, a doctor or allergist may give them a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector. If anaphylaxis or severe breathing problems occur, this can relieve symptoms until emergency medical help arrives.

The ACAAI recommend that children with a cinnamon or other allergy and their caretakers should also carry an epinephrine auto-injector, in case a reaction happens outside the home. Their school teachers and other responsible adults should know about the child’s allergy.

Many schools have a supply of epinephrine to use in an emergency.

When to see a doctor

People should contact a doctor if they suspect a cinnamon or other food allergy. In cases of anaphylaxis, people should seek emergency medical assistance.