When allergy symptoms to food first arise, it's important to determine the source to avoid additional or more severe allergic reactions. Rhubarb allergies, in particular, may be difficult to detect due to sporadic consumption or occupational exposure that includes many other plant-based foods. While the symptoms of an adverse reaction to rhubarb generally pass within a few hours, most patients remain sensitized for life. Children, whose allergies can come and go, represent the exceptions to this higher risk for recurrent health problems.
Internal and External Itching
Handling or consuming rhubarb can result in the common allergy symptom of itching in the skin or mucous membranes shortly after contact or ingestion. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, the time frame depends on the spread of rhubarb allergens throughout the body. Patients may begin to itch in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat right away. Itchy skin and eyes can occur upon touching rhubarb plants or when their irritants reach the skin or eye membranes, as allergens spread internally via the bloodstream.
Anaphylactic Allergic Reactions
In people with severe rhubarb allergies or underlying heart or breathing problems, a dangerous group of allergy symptoms can swiftly affect the entire body. Anaphylaxis begins with a rapid drop in blood pressure and can end in loss of consciousness, shock or death. The NIH warns that patients or their associates should call 9-1-1 for immediate paramedic assistance if anaphylactic symptoms occur. A racing pulse, severe swelling of the throat, wheezing, weakness and confusion may progress toward fainting, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Respiratory Allergy Symptoms
Absent rare problems with blood pressure and obstruction of the airways, moderate respiratory symptoms usually accompany allergic reactions to rhubarb. Runny nose and nasal congestion may begin within an hour or two of eating rhubarb, the University of Maryland (UM) Medical Center reports. Coughing and sneezing may occur as the body attempts to rid itself of rhubarb allergens. Unlike hay fever symptoms, the majority of respiratory problems from rhubarb allergies fade within a few hours.
Digestive Problems
Digestive problems also help to distinguish rhubarb allergies from allergic reactions to pollen. The UM Medical Center reports that symptoms begin with nausea and move to stomach and intestinal pain and cramps. Like coughing and sneezing, bouts of vomiting and diarrhea are meant to remove some of the allergens from the body. The symptoms of rhubarb allergies generally disappear when the digestive process concludes.
