Vitamin G is another term for riboflavin, a water-soluble vitamin and part of vitamin B-2. If you have a known allergy to vitamin B, do not use vitamin G or riboflavin supplements. Drugs.com states that it is possible to develop an allergic reaction from taking a riboflavin supplement. Riboflavin is found naturally in the body and in meats, fish, eggs, legumes and leafy vegetables. Consuming the substance in foods may or may not cause an allergic reaction if you have an allergy to the supplement. Vitamin G supplements may contain other ingredients that could be the source of the allergic reaction.
Vitamin G Allergy
Vitamin allergies are commonly related to taking vitamin supplements and are not triggered by consuming foods that contain the vitamin. When you take a supplement, you are introducing a new substance into your body, which can trigger an allergic reaction. As you ingest the vitamin, the immune system accidentally mistakes it as harmful to the body and produces immunoglobulin E antibodies to fight it off, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The creation of IgE antibodies triggers a chemical reaction throughout the body that causes most allergy symptoms. Histamine is one of the chemicals that is released in soft tissue, leading to inflammation and swelling.
Symptoms
Symptoms from a vitamin G allergy can develop within a few seconds to a few minutes after ingesting the supplement. Common symptoms will affect multiple parts of your body, such as your digestive tract, respiratory system, skin and cardiovascular system. The most common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, bloating, gas, sinus congestion, sinus headaches, difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, hives, eczema and skin rashes. Drugs.com states that you should contact emergency services if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling in your throat, tongue, lips or face or you develop hives.
Allergy Consideration
Any time you use a supplement there is an increased risk of an allergic reaction if you've been diagnosed with other medication or food allergies. Many supplements contain inactive ingredients that could trigger an allergic reaction. Common inactive ingredients that may be found in vitamin G supplements include dairy, soy or wheat. The government requires that supplement manufactures disclose the use of any highly allergic ingredients on the products label.
Treatment
If you're clinically diagnosed with a vitamin G allergy, your doctor will recommend that you discontinue the use of any supplements that contain the vitamin. Minor allergic reaction can be treated with an oral antihistamine to reduce histamine levels in the body. Skin reactions can be treated with an over-the-counter steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone.
