Allergy to salicylates, i.e. esters of salicylic acid, usually appears after the administration of drugs containing this substance or fruits or vegetables in which it occurs naturally. People allergic to salicylates should be especially careful when taking, for example, popular medicines for colds, because in some cases an allergic reaction may be serious. Find out about the symptoms of salicylate allergy, how to treat it, and in which foods and medicines you can find salicylates.

Salicylate allergyis one of the most popular drug allergies, although it can also occur after eating certain foods.

Contents:

  1. Salicylate allergy - symptoms
  2. Salicylate allergy - what are salicylates?
  3. Salicylate allergy - diagnosis and treatment
  4. Salicylate allergy - what products contain salicylates?
  5. Salicylate allergy - diet
  6. Allergy to salicylates - watch out for salicylates in cosmetics

Salicylate allergy - symptoms

Allergy to salicylic acidmay manifest itself in a mild skin allergy, and even asthma attacks or anaphylactic shock. Characteristicsymptoms of salicylate allergyare:

  • skin changes, e.g. hives,
  • allergic rhinitis,
  • angioedema,
  • anaphylactic reactions.

Salicylate allergy - what are salicylates?

Salicylatesare esters of salicylic acid. It is an organic, colorless, crystalline substance, belonging to the group of beta-hydroxy acids (BHA).

Salicylic acid melts at 159 ° C and dissolves very well in alcohols, but not at all in water. Salicylic acid in its pure form can be found in 2-3% ethanol solutions, e.g. salicylic alcohol.

Preparations based on it (salicylic acid concentration ranging between 10 and 20%) have comedolytic properties, i.e. anti-comedogenic, bacteriostatic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory.

Thanks to them, you can intensely exfoliate the skin, which has made it applicable in many acne remedies or peels for oily and acne-prone skin.

Allergy tosalicylates - diagnosis and treatment

Salicylate allergy is diagnosed during medical history. Very rarely, doctors will order additional tests, such as nasal, oral, and inhalation provocation tests.

When a patient is known to be allergic to salicylates, it is usually recommended to avoid medications made with salicylic acid. Desensitization is ineffective and is therefore not used as a treatment method.

To avoid salicylate allergy, avoid non-steroidal medications and foods rich in natural salicylic acid.

Salicylate allergy - what products contain salicylates?

Salicylic acid can cause many side effects, including skin allergy symptoms or asthma attacks. In such casesallergy to salicylatesmay even manifest itself in attacks of breathlessness. To prevent this from happening, the following drugs and foods should be avoided:

  • non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)that have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, e.g. polopyrin and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which exacerbates the symptoms of asthma
  • herbs:mint, thyme, tarragon, rosemary, dill, sage, oregano, marjoram, basil, celery and sesame seeds
  • spices:anise, turkish pepper, cinnamon, cumin, curry powder, fenugreek, nutmeg, mustard, paprika and turmeric
  • fruit:apples, blackberries, cherries, raisins, grapes, currants, nectarines, oranges, peaches, apricots, plums, prunes, raspberries, strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes
  • vegetables:mainly broccoli, chicory, cucumbers, tomatoes, radish, sweet corn, spinach and olives
  • delicacies:almonds, peanuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios and walnuts, coconuts
  • alcohol:(except vodka and gin)
  • drinks:coffee, tea, coca-cola and mint tea

Salicylates are also found in other foods :honey, licorice, mint candies, yeast products, tomato sauces and in highly processed foods .

Salicylate allergy - diet

To avoid an allergic reaction to salicylates, follow a strict diet. People allergic to salicylates should therefore avoid drugs and products containing these substances. Products free from salicylates or containing them in trace amounts, acceptable in the diet of people allergic to these substances, include:

  • spices:soy sauceno spices, saffron, sea s alt
  • vegetables : green and white cabbage, celery, canned beans without sugar and s alt, white variety of potatoes
  • fruit : bananas, peeled pears, pomegranates, mango, lime and papaya
  • delicacies : poppy seeds, cashews, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds
  • dairy products : white cheese, milk, cheese, natural yoghurt
  • cereal products : bread, cereal grains - buckwheat, millet, oats, rye, wheat, rice, spelled
  • fats : cold-pressed vegetable oils (sunflower, soybean) with no added preservatives, butter and margarine
  • drinks : still mineral water, decaffeinated coffee, soy milk, rice milk, weak tea (preferably rosehip), homemade pear juice
  • meat, fish, shellfish

Allergy to salicylates - watch out for salicylates in cosmetics

People who are allergic to salicylates should pay attention not only to what they eat, but also to what they put on their skin. Salicylates can be found in various types of cosmetics, so it is very important for people suffering from salicylate allergy to carefully check their composition.

People struggling with oily skin, combination skin and acne-prone skin should be especially careful, as salicylates appear especially in cosmetics for the care of these skin types. They are most often found in face cleansing gels, matting creams, scrubs, etc.

About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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Category:

Allergies