Allergic Reaction To Pickles

An allergic reaction to pickles is most likely caused by a mold allergy or sulfite sensitivity. Sulfites are chemicals used as preservatives in pickles and other cooked and processed foods. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, estimates that roughly 1 percent of people are sensitive to sulfites. Pickles and vinegar are also common food sources of mold, which causes a reaction in some people. Keeping a food diary and noting your symptoms can help your doctor pinpoint the cause of your allergy.

Sulfite Sensitivity

Sulfites are used to prevent browning and discoloration in foods and drinks. Besides pickles, they can be found in canned and frozen vegetables, potato chips, shrimp, dried fruit, jams, beer, wine, fruit juices and some medications. The FDA has banned their use in fruits and vegetables that are eaten raw. You can develop a sulfite sensitivity at any age. Sulfite sensitivity can cause asthma symptoms, ranging from mild wheezing to a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. If you have difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, and a weak, rapid pulse, seek immediate medical attention.

Mold Allergy

Mold allergies are relatively common. You can react after inhaling tiny airborne mold spores or eating foods that contain mold. Other common dietary mold sources include cheese, mushrooms, sour cream, pickled and smoked meats and fish, and dried fruits. Allergy symptoms include wheezing, trouble breathing, a runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and a skin rash or hives. Although it's difficult to completely avoid it, try to keep your home as mold-free as possible, check all food for signs of mold and discard food that contains mold.

Other Possible Causes

Cucumbers and other vegetables can cause "oral allergy syndrome." The Calgary Allergy Network reports, however, that most people develop this syndrome only in reaction to raw vegetables, and these are usually safe to eat after pickling or processing. You may be allergic to other food additives used in pickles, such as nitrates. If you have a gluten allergy, also known as celiac disease, avoid pickles containing malt vinegar.

Tests and Diagnosis

If you think you have an allergy, talk to your doctor. Be prepared to describe your symptoms, and keep track of foods that cause a reaction. You may be asked to take a skin or blood test. In a skin test, your skin is pricked to insert a tiny amount of allergen below the surface. If you're allergic, a rash develops. In a blood test, a sample is analyzed for the presence of antibodies, your body's response to an allergen. Sulfite sensitivity is usually diagnosed using a "challenge test." An allergist gives you gradually increasing doses of sulfites over a two- to two-and-a-half-hour period, monitoring you closely for signs of a reaction.

Treatment and Prevention

Prescribed or over-the-counter oral antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids can relieve mild symptoms of an allergic reaction to pickles. If you have asthma, your doctor will probably prescribe an inhaled bronchodilator. If you're at risk of anaphylaxis, or allergic shock, you may be advised to carry an epinephrine injector such as an EpiPen at all times. Inject this into your thigh at the first sign of a reaction, and make sure your family and friends know how to use it. Of course, the best way to prevent a reaction is to avoid pickles and any other allergy triggers. Check food labels carefully, and tell restaurant staff when eating out.