Although ginger is not considered a common food allergy, allergic reactions have been reported. Ginger is an herb used in cooking and taken as a supplement to prevent and treat various conditions. If you want to take ginger as a supplement, talk with your doctor. Taking ginger may interact with other medications and could cause side effects. An allergy to ginger should be diagnosed by your physician. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat based on symptoms alone.
Ginger Allergy
A ginger allergy is a malfunction of your immune system. Your immune system protects your body from harmful substances, such as toxins, bacteria and viruses. Although ginger is safe for human consumption, your immune system reacts to it as if it were dangerous. The body begins to defend itself by manufacturing certain antibodies that are specific to allergies, immunoglobulin E, or IgE. The introduction of these antibodies causes mast cells throughout the body to produce histamine, a hormone that guards against infection. Histamine in soft tissue leads to swelling, inflammation and irritation in various parts of the body.
Extreme Symptoms
Drugs.com warns that severe symptoms can occur after ingesting ginger. These symptoms include the closing of your throat, swelling in the tongue, lips or face, and hives. If you notice these symptoms, call 911 immediately. They may be a sign of a rare allergic condition, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction that affects the entire body and could be fatal. The most effective treatment for this reaction is an injection of epinephrine through emergency medical attention or your doctor.
Other Symptoms
An allergic reaction to ginger may cause mild to moderate symptoms. Common symptoms related to food allergies are nasal congestion, digestive complications, skin rashes and asthma. A runny nose, sneezing and sinus pain could all result from nasal congestion related to a ginger allergy. You may develop diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramps, along with hives, eczema or general itching. Asthma symptoms likely to form include wheezing, difficulty breathing and coughing.
Avoidance
Once diagnosed, you need to eliminate the use of ginger in cooking and dietary supplements. Ginger is not difficult to avoid, but read all labels before eating a packaged product. Many Asian foods contain ginger.
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