Closing of the throat is frightening and needs to be reported to emergency medical personnel immediately. Although caffeine is not considered a highly allergic substance, throat swelling is a common sign of a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. Any time you ingest a new medication, you are at risk of developing an allergic reaction. Caffeine is a drug, commonly found in sodas, chocolate, coffee and tea, which may trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance in some foods, such as cocoa beans, coffee beans and tea leaves. It is also synthetically produced for use in medications, cola beverages and energy drinks. The average 8-oz. cup of coffee contains between 102 and 200mg of caffeine while an 8-oz. cup of black tea contains about 53mg of caffeine, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Caffeine pills are sold over-the-counter to help you stay awake or increase mental awareness, but are only intended for short-term use, according to Drugs.com. If your throat begins to close any time you ingest caffeine, discontinue use of the drug and call 911.
Throat Swelling Cause
Throat swelling is a common symptom of an allergic reaction that could lead to life-threatening circumstances. If your throat swells, it can cut off your ability to swallow and breathe. After ingesting caffeine, your immune system may overreact to the substance and attack it with immunoglobulin E antibodies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. This action triggers other chemicals to be released into the blood stream, causing inflammation, swelling and irritation in soft tissues. The soft tissue in your esophagus becomes inflamed, increasing blood flow and swelling, cutting off your ability to breathe.
Anaphylaxis
Throat swelling is not a sign of a minor allergic reaction. When your throat becomes inflamed, it is a sign of anaphylaxis, an extreme allergic reaction that could cause death. A flood of chemicals react to the presence of caffeine in your body, resulting in your body becoming overwhelmed and developing a state of shock. Anaphylaxis symptoms develop within seconds of ingesting caffeine and may include facial swelling, hives, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, diarrhea, stomach pain and shortness of breath.
Treatment
The most effective treatment for anaphylaxis resulting from a severe allergy to caffeine is an injection of epinephrine. Epinephrine is a prescribed medication that needs to be injected by a medical professional, unless your doctor has previously prescribed the medication for use in case of an emergency.
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