If joint inflammation occurs when you consume caffeine, you need to stop ingesting caffeine and call your doctor. Joint inflammation from caffeine is a sign of an allergic reaction that could cause minor to severe reactions. Caffeine is a drug found in nature and synthetically made for use in foods and beverages. If your doctor prescribed caffeine to treat a condition, do not stop taking the medication until your doctor approves the discontinuation.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a medication used to treat various conditions. It is commonly used in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help the body absorb the drug more effectively. Caffeine helps restore alertness. It is also commonly sold in combination with ergotamine to treat cluster and migraine headaches, according to MayoClnic.com. The drug is naturally found in cocoa beans, coffee and tea and is added to soda beverages and some energy drinks.
Drug Allergy
Most drug allergies cause minor symptoms, such as skin rashes, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing. If you have a caffeine allergy, you may not develop any symptoms the first time you take caffeine, but your immune system is still producing an antibody to fight off the caffeine the next time you ingest it. When you ingest caffeine again, the immunoglobulin E antibodies alert your body that it is under attack, which triggers a chemical reaction, resulting in inflammation, swelling and irritation throughout the body, according to MedlinePlus. Histamine is released by white blood cells that can affect your joints.
Joint Inflammation
When histamine is created in soft tissue, certain tissues will swell, placing pressure on your joints. You may also develop pain and a burning sensation in your joints after ingesting caffeine. An allergic reaction to caffeine will also cause other symptoms unrelated to your joints, such as hives, asthma and digestive complications. Unlike other allergic reaction symptoms, joint inflammation can take up to 24 hours to develop, according to the Center for Food Allergies.
Treatment
Treatment for joint inflammation from a caffeine allergy should be determined by your doctor. The use of over-the-counter pain relievers and antihistamines may help reduce the inflammation and alleviate the pain. You will need to avoid all forms of caffeine if you have an allergy. Decaffeinated beverages still contain minimal caffeine, and you should eliminate them from your diet.
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