Cinnamon is a spice and a common ingredient in foods such as scones, breads and cookies. Cinnamon has medicinal effects and may improve gastrointestinal symptoms, according to Drugs.com. Cinnamon will not cause your heart to race under ordinary circumstances. A racing heart is a sign of a severe allergic reaction and may indicate cinnamon allergy. Before using cinnamon to treat any medical condition, consult with your doctor, and see your doctor right away if you develop an increased heart rate after using cinnamon.
Cinnamon Allergy
It is not clear why some people develop an allergic reaction to cinnamon while most people can consume the spice without any effects. If you are allergic to cinnamon, your body identifies the substance as an allergen, a potentially dangerous substance. Because your immune system's function is to protect the body, it unleashes a wide range of chemicals to attack the cinnamon. This triggers a chain reaction of chemicals throughout the body, which causes inflammation and irritation in soft tissue. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include nasal congestion, asthma, skin irritation and digestive complications, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Racing Heart
A racing heart rate is a serious symptom. If you notice that your heart rate increases but your pulse is faint, call 911 immediately. This is a sign of an extreme reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis causes your body to experiencing a state of shock where you may not be able to breathe, lose consciousness and experience a sudden drop in blood pressure. If this type of reaction is not treated, your symptoms can cause fatality. Other signs of anaphylaxis may include hives, stomach pain, pale skin tone and facial swelling.
Avoidance
Because cinnamon is not a common allergen, if you have a cinnamon allergy, you must pay close attention to any packaged food you consume. Read the ingredients in everything you eat and avoid all products that contain cinnamon. Use caution if you see "spices," in an ingredient list, because it may contain cinnamon. Pastries, cookies and hard candies may contain traces of cinnamon, which could trigger an allergic reaction.
Treatment
If you experience anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately. Once medical personnel arrive, they will assess your physical state and may provide you with an injection of epinephrine to alleviate your symptoms.
Member Comments