Caffeine is a substance that naturally occurs in cocoa beans, coffee beans, and other foods and beverages. Caffeine is typically used to increase mental alertness and help you stay awake, but for some, ingesting caffeine can lead to an allergic reaction. Recovery from a caffeine allergy will include testing to diagnose the condition, avoidance of all products that contain caffeine and medication to treat the allergy if you accidentally ingest the substance. Talk with your doctor before changing your diet to treat a condition.
Cause
A caffeine allergy is different from common side effects of consuming too much caffeine. According to MayoClinic.com, caffeine can cause a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, headaches, nausea and diarrhea. A genuine caffeine allergy is a chemical reaction triggered by the immune system. When you ingest caffeine, your immune system mistakes the substance for an invader and attacks it with immunoglobulin E antibodies and other chemicals. The introduction of these chemicals into the bloodstream cause common symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, eczema, skin rashes, digestive complications and nasal congestion.
Identification
Proper clinical diagnosis of the allergy is an important step in recovering from a caffeine allergy. An allergist will use a sample of your blood and your skin to determine how your body reacts to the substance. Caffeine will be introduced into your blood in a laboratory to observe any reaction. If your blood creates immunoglobulin E antibodies, you are allergic to caffeine. Caffeine may also be injected under the top layer of your skin to see if your skin develops a rash.
Avoidance
The most effective recovery treatment is to avoid all caffeine. Caffeine naturally occurs in some products and is also added to various sports beverages, mental enhancers and certain medications, such as pain relievers. If diagnosed with a caffeine allergy, inform your pharmacist and doctor to ensure you don't have a drug interaction. Read the ingredients on all product labels. Caffeine will be listed in the ingredients if it has been added to the food or beverage . Avoid decaffeinated coffee because it contains a minimal amount of caffeine.
Medications
If you develop a minor to moderate allergic reaction after dinking caffeine, some medications may help alleviate symptoms. Antihistamines are a general allergy medication used to reduce the amount of histamine in the body. Decongestants are effective if you develop sinus congestion by restricting the blood flow to the sinus cavity, which reduces swelling in the sinuses. If you develop a severe, all-over allergic reaction, you will need an injection of epinephrine, typically administered by an emergency medical professional.
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