The thought of being allergic to coffee is difficult to imagine for coffee lovers, but it’s the reality that some people have to live with. Less than 10% of the population has a food allergy, including allergies to coffee, so the subject doesn’t always get the attention that’s needed to help people that do suffer from these allergies. If you’re one of those in the minority that does have a coffee allergy, here’s what you ought to know about coffee and allergies.
Your Immune System Working Against You
Caffeine is the ingredient in coffee that helps to give us a boost in the morning and it increases our alertness. That’s what’s happens for most coffee drinkers, but for the unfortunate few it’s the caffeine in our coffee that causes our allergy. The body treats the caffeine as a foreign invader and attacks it as if it was a virus or harmful bacteria.
If it’s the caffeine you’re allergic to and not coffee, switching to a decaffeinated blend is a simple solution. You’ll still be able to enjoy your morning coffee – it just won’t have the stimulating effect a caffeinated coffee blend provides.
Common Symptoms of a Coffee Allergy
The signs and symptoms of a coffee allergy can be extensive and, as we mentioned above, it’s often the caffeine the body is reacting to. When your body begins to attack itself because of an allergy you may be prone to rashes or hives, alternatively, you may also experience nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, cramps and diarrhea. In some, an allergy to coffee may cause them to become dizzy and lightheaded – they may even pass out.
In more serious cases an allergic reaction to coffee can cause anaphylaxis or swelling of the throat. This can be extremely dangerous as it can block the airway – if you’re with someone experiencing these symptoms they need immediate emergency medical treatment.
Sensitivity to Coffee
It’s not always easy to make a distinction between a coffee allergy and sensitivity to the beverage. Symptoms of a coffee sensitivity may include anxiousness, you may become jittery and irritable, and some also experience an elevated heart rate. These are all signs of sensitivity to coffee, not an allergy. Drinking coffee before bed can make morning symptoms worse due to lack of sleep. Restricting the amount of coffee you drink to 1 or 2 cups a day and avoiding coffee before bed will alleviate most symptoms caused by sensitivity to coffee.
Coffee without the Chemicals
In rare cases, it may not be the caffeine that causes your allergy to coffee. It may be the pesticides used by coffee farmers or it may be chemicals used in the processing of your favorite blend that’s causing the problem. There is organic coffee that’s made without using pesticides or other chemicals. Switching to one of these blends may allow you to continue drinking coffee without suffering from allergy symptoms.