It's frightening whenever you expereince tightness in your chest, because you may not be able to breathe normally. Tightness in the chest after consuming a multivitamin is a sign of an allergic reaction. Allergy-induced asthma is a common symptom from an allergic reaction to vitamins or supplements. Tightness in the chest is the result of inflammation, constriction and swelling in the airways. In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction to a multivitamin can lead to death, if it is not treated promptly. Stop taking the multivitamin until you can talk with your physician.
Allergic Reaction
Drugs.com states that taking a multivitamin can trigger an allergic reaction. Most multivitamins are made from synthetic materials that may not be identified by your immune system as safe. If your immune system identifies one or more of the ingredients in the multivitamins as a threat to the body, your body will attack the substance, called an allergen. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology states that the immune system creates antibodies that trigger mast cells to produce histamine. These chemicals, released in soft tissues, cause inflammation.
Allergic Asthma
When histamine is created in the lungs, your airways swell, constrict and become inflamed. Your ability to take a deep breath is restricted, which may lead to further asthmatic symptoms. Common symptoms of asthma from an allergic reaction to a multivitamin allergy may include shortness of breath, trouble breathing, coughing and wheezing, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Wheezing is a high-pitched sound created in the esophagus when the throat is swollen. Allergic asthma can progress into a serious condition, which may require emergency medical attention.
Identification
Your doctor will want to identify which ingredients in the multivitamin are triggering the allergic reaction. Some multivitamins may contain highly allergic inactive ingredients, such as wheat, milk and soy. The product is required by law to place an allergy warning if the vitamin contains any of these ingredients. Allergy tests, using a patch of your skin or a blood sample, will determine which vitamins or other ingredients are causing the creation of immunoglobulin E antibodies.
Consideration
If your chest tightness is the result of an allergic reaction, you will develop more symptoms throughout your body. Common vitamin allergy symptoms include stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion, hives, facial swelling and general fatigue.
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