Spices can add wonderful flavor to foods and even have the potential for health benefits. However, some people are allergic.
“While spice allergy seems to be rare, with the constantly increasing use of spices in the American diet and a variety of cosmetics, we anticipate more and more Americans will develop this allergy,” said allergist Sami Bahna, M.D., ACAAI past president. “Patients with spice allergy often have to go through extreme measures to avoid the allergen. This can lead to strict dietary avoidance, low quality of life and sometimes malnutrition.”
Common spice allergy triggers include cinnamon and garlic, but can range from black pepper to vanilla.
Click here to read more at the ACAAI website.
Click here to contact our office to meet one of our board-certified allergists and discuss your questions if you experience regular discomfort after eating or handling spices.
