Curry does not cause hives in most people. Curry is a seasoning that is made from a combination of spices that originated in India. Curry is used to make a wide variety of dishes, such as chicken curry, curried chickpeas and fish curry. Hives are one of the most common symptoms that develop as a result of an allergic reaction to a food. In some cases hives may be a sign of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction that could trigger severe symptoms that could lead to death.
Curry Allergy
As with any new substance entering the body, you can develop an allergic reaction to one or more of the ingredients in curry. An allergic reaction occurs the moment your immune system mistakes the curry as an intruding substance that could harm the body. This mis-identification causes a chemical chain reaction to occur in the body. Mast cells, located in soft tissue throughout the body, begin to produce histamine, a chemical that naturally fights infection. Too much histamine created in the skin can cause an outbreak of hives.
Hives
Hives are a skin rash that commonly develops as a result of an allergic reaction. The rash only takes a few minutes to appear and can spread or migrate to anywhere on the body. It appears as welts that create a white center when pressed. They can form in any shape and size and will often blend together to form larger welts. The welts are red, very itchy and are raised from the surface of the skin. Most cases of hives subside within 24 hours without any medical intervention.
Concerns
Hives typically do not pose any threat, but in some cases hives can cause life-threatening circumstances. Hives that form in your throat or airways can restrict your breathing, resulting in lack of oxygen to your brain. Hives also appear during an anaphylactic reaction. Other symptoms that might accompany the formation of hives include facial swelling, lip swelling, tongue swelling, dizziness, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, a metallic taste in your mouth and an increased heart rate.
Testing and Treatment
Because an allergy to curry is not a common food allergy, your doctor may want to perform skin and blood tests to diagnose your condition. If diagnosed with a curry allergy, you will need to avoid coriander, chilies, mustard, cumin, fenugreek, ginger and turmeric. These are the most common ingredients in curry but various brands may contain more ingredients.
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