cinnamon allergies?

Question

I have a severe allergy to Cinnamon (mainly the oil)
I have anaphlactic reations to it. My throat swells some and it hurts, larger amounts can close my throat .

I was wondering if there are others out there with an allergy to Cinnamon and what reactions do you or that person have?

Answer 1

Cinnamon allergy is not at all un common. I have heard and researched on many persons with such allergies and they can be cured or prevented if they have adequate knowledge. Here is a report on a research article:


Cinnamon oil has been known as a contact allergen since the 19th century, when sucking on Cinnamon-soaked toothpicks was found to cause contact dermatitis (13). Two components of Cinnamon are known to be sensitising: Cinnamon oil and cinnamic aldehyde (14). Cinnamic aldehyde is the most common of the allergenic constituents (15). Cinnamic aldehyde and related chemicals are used widely, so that patients having Cinnamon allergy may be exposed to many sources.

Contact and systemic contact-type dermatitis reactions to spices such as Cinnamon may well be overlooked (15). Positive skin-specific IgE tests to Cinnamon may be reported during investigation of other food allergies, but the clinical implications may not be evident (16). The most common reactions described are those of allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contactdermatitis (17-18). Although immediate hypersensitivity reactions are possible, many reported allergic contact dermatitis cases occur as a result of delayed type IV reactions (19).

Perioral dermatitis as a result of Cinnamon has been reported (20). Cinnamon used as an odour-neutralising agent in shoe insoles was reported to be responsible for a case of allergic contact dermatitis (21). Bullous contact allergy from Cinnamon in a young Malay female as a result of contact allergy to cinnamic aldehyde in Cinnamon has been described (22).

In an early report, a newly formulated “spicy” toothpaste containing Cinnamon as a flavouring agent was the cause of oral symptoms in 8 patients referred to clinics in England, and in a further 8 patients discovered subsequently. Positive reactions were obtained with 1% cinnamic aldehyde in 15 out of 16 patients tested (23). Subsequently, a number of reports have described adverse reactions to Cinnamon in toothpaste, from acute contact sensitivity (24) to Cinnamon-induced stomatitis (25). Reports have implicated Cinnamon or a component of Cinnamon: a patient had acute stomatitis and dermatitis due to a popular toothpaste containing Cinnamon oil flavor (26). Cheilitis caused by Cinnamon oil in toothpaste has been described (27), but may result from irritation rather than an allergic mechanism. Contact dermatitis following oral administration of Cinnamon oil has been reported (28). In still more reports, patients sensitive to cinnamic aldehyde in a toothpaste have been described (29).

A Finnish study on toothpaste composition concluded that toothpastes are not entirely safe to use, because almost 50% of the 48 products studied contained a total of some 30 compounds widely recognised as allergens. The most common allergens in toothpastes are flavourants (e.g., cinnamic aldehyde, Cinnamon oil and Peppermint) and preservatives. Symptoms include stomatitis, cheilitis, glossitis, gingivitis, perioral dermatitis and immediate hypersensitivity (7).

Cinnamon is often a component of chewing gum. Two cases of cheilitis caused by Cinnamon oil in bubble gum have been reported (30). Oral lesions may take on a more sinister presentation: an oral lesion that was clinically thought to be a squamous cell carcinoma was found to have resulted from Cinnamon oil in chewing gum. The case is unusual because of the leukoplakia noted; all other previously reported cases described erythematous patches only (14).

In view of the irritant and allergic nature of cinnamic aldehyde and the reported sensitivity reactions to it, it is not unreasonable to expect Cinnamon processors and workers having contact with Cinnamon at further stages to exhibit occupational ill effects. Cinnamon is well known to cause dermatitis in bakers and confectioners. Some occupations seen as particularly susceptible are in the food industry, including among bakers, bakery workers, and other individuals working with spices. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis has been described (31). Allergic hand dermatitis occurred in a 50-year-old baker with a 3-month history of rash, which began on both palms and spread to the dorsum of the right hand (2).

In a study investigating 40 workers with an average of 4 years' service in the Cinnamon processing industry, 35 workers (87.5%) had symptoms, including asthma (22.5%), irritation of the skin (50%), loss of hair (37.5%), and smarting of eyes while at work (22.5%). Loss of weight (65%) was the commonest finding. Sweating while doing manual work is common, and many workers experienced an itching or a burning sensation when Cinnamon dust settled on the sweat. The authors suggested that cinnamic aldehyde may dissolve in sweat and cause this irritation (1).

In 70 workers in a Swedish spice factory investigated by questionnaire regarding skin symptoms, pruritus and skin irritation, particularly from Cinnamon powder, were common. Patch test reactions to cinnamic aldehyde were found in 11/25 factory workers, but in several cases the nature of the reactions was difficult to evaluate. On skin-specific IgE investigation, 6/25 workers reacted to cinnamic aldehyde (32).

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from essential oils containing eugenol, oil of Cinnamon and oil of Cloves has been reported in a physiotherapist

Answer 2

Cinnamon Allergy

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
cinnamon allergies?
I have a severe allergy to Cinnamon (mainly the oil)
I have anaphlactic reations to it. My throat swells some and it hurts, larger amounts can close my throat .

I was wondering if there are others out there with an allergy to Cinnamon and what reactions do you or that person have?

Answer 4

I have an allergy to cinnamon. My symptoms are all gastric. My intestines feel like they swell, I get bloated and constipated. It causes sometimes severe abdominal pain. Depending on how strong the cinnamon is will depend on how severe the symptoms are. It usually takes about a week to get it all out of my system and clean it out of my bowels. I am looking for some kind of substitute for cinnamon rolls and cinnamon toast, anyone have any ideas?

Answer 5

I have a cinnamon allergy. I have had gastric issues with cinnamon since childhood. Somewhat recently my reaction has worsened. I have started reacting to air fresheners and perfumes containing cinnamon as well as foods. My throat starts restricting, I get dizzy and lightheaded, as well as nauseous. I carry an epi pen and, thankfully haven't had to use it. I am trying to educate myself on foods I can/cannot eat. It definetly puts limits on what I eat and places I visit. It is actually quite overwhelming.

Answer 6

I every time spend my half an hour to read this blog's posts daily along with a mug of coffee.

Answer 7

my friend is allergic to cinnamon, its not severe though she just turns a little red

Answer 8

I'm curious as well