Cacao are the seeds of the cocoa tree that are used to make chocolate products. In rare cases is someone allergic to the cacao bean. If you develop an allergic reaction after eating chocolate, you may have an allergy to other ingredients commonly found in chocolates. Typical highly allergic ingredients may include soy, milk, gluten or nuts. If you have a known food allergy, read the ingredient label of any chocolate product before eating it and report any reactions to your doctor.
Cacao Allergy
If you're allergic to cacao, your immune system doesn't recognize the proteins in the seed as harmless, although they are safe. The immune system will attempt to fight off the allergen by creating certain antibodies that are intended to protect the body. The production of these antibodies causes certain cells in the body to create histamine, a chemical that can lead to inflammation and irritation in soft tissue. Histamine is the primary chemical during an allergic reaction that causes most of the symptoms.
Other Ingredients
Four of the most allergic foods are commonly found in chocolate products and may be the reason for the allergic reaction. Soy, milk, nuts and gluten, a protein found in wheat, are commonly used during the manufacturing process. The FDA requires that all food products place a warning on the label of the chocolate product if it contains any of these highly allergic foods as ingredients. If you experience an allergic reaction after eating a specific chocolate, keep the wrapper and show it to your allergist.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a cacao allergy and other food allergies are the same, but may develop differently in each person. Common symptoms from a food allergy include hives, eczema, skin rashes, skin tingling, wheezing, difficulty breathing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, sinus congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. The severity of these symptoms can differ depending on the type of allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock can lead to death and causes symptoms such as facial swelling, hives and the inability to breathe. Call 911 if these symptoms develop.
Lactose Consideration
Most chocolate products contain lactose, and thus may cause an adverse reaction if you're lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is caused by insufficient production of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerant symptoms include bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain and cramping.
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