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Chocolate Allergy Information

By: Liz Chorley I could not live without chocolate I love is so much. Sadly I may have no option but to cut it from my diet completely and immediately. The reason is that I think that I might suffer from a chocolate allergy is that whenever I eat it it usually follows that I am rather unwell after it.

Upon investigation I quickly discovered that chocolate allergy is actually very rare when compared to the many other allergies that people can suffer from. To make things even more complicated it has even been suggested that it may not even be the chocolate itself that I am allergic to but rather some of the other ingredients of the chocolate bars I eat that are causing the symptoms.

The main ingredient (usually around 65%) in any chocolate bar is cocoa, which is generally what gives it the brown color and rich flavor. Medically speaking if you were actually suffering from a chocolate allergy it would actually be caused by the cocoa and, therefore, strictly speaking it would be a cocoa allergy!

Cocoa is a very useful ingredient that is used extensively in the food industry. Most often found in cakes and biscuits it can also be added to other prepared foods in small amounts. If you are allergic to cocoa you will have to quickly learn to read all packaging on foodstuffs to ensure that it is not a component part of the product. If you are like me and you eat a large amount of cakes and biscuits this task could prove very time consuming but, over time, you will begin to notice which products are to be avoided.

Allergies cause all manner of symptoms some are little more than an irritation but some can be extremely worrying and even life threatening. Sufferers of chocolate allergy sadly include some of the following in their list of symptoms; heartburn, hives, skin rashes and itching, rectal itching, headache, vision problems, clouded thought and confusion and, the most upsetting, problems with the breathing.

specialist. This specialist will test your bodies reaction to a selection of common allergens including cocoa. As it is common for people to suffer from more than one allergy this will ensure that he determines which substances are causing your unpleasant symptoms.

Once the allergen (the thing you are allergic to) has been identified correctly you will be advised on the best course of action. Some of the symptoms can be easily treated, skin rashes may take a while to clear completely but creams and lotions will help the healing process and speed up recovery. You may also be prescribed some drugs which can work wonders in helping you get better and they may even allow you to enjoy chocolate every once in a while.

If you find that you do have a chocolate allergy do not despair instead you should be positive. Maybe you could avoid chocolate altogether and cut all processed foods from your diet. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel after only a short time of changing to a healthy balanced diet. I wish you the very best.