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Red Dye Allergy
With the increase in the use of packaged and processed foods, the use of chemicals meant for preservation and making the food look appealing have also increased. Red dye, a food dye which is commonly used to give the red color to certain foods, is one such chemical that is commonly used in preparation and processing of various food items. Though as per the standards laid down by various national and international agencies, the chemicals and dyes used in foods should be edible ad safe, sometimes these chemicals end up causing allergies.
Red dye allergy has become increasingly common as more and more people all over the world switch from organic foods to processed and preserved foods. Red dye allergy, though commonly mistaken to be a food allergy is in fact a food intolerance which is caused because the human body is not always able to digest all the ingested chemicals.
Red dyes usually do not elicit allergic responses from the body. Though some people may genuinely be affected by red dye allergy, for most people, it is simply intolerance. Since this dye is especially used in candies and other snacks, the incidence of red dye allergy is far higher in children than in adults. Red dye no. 40 is the dye which causes the maximum incidences of allergic reactions.
Red Dye Allergy Symptoms
There are several categories of symptoms for red dye allergy. Here are some of them:
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Diarrhea,
- Gas,
- Bloating
- Abdominal cramps
Dermal Symptoms
- Rashes
- Redness and itching on the skin
- Tightness of skin
- Breakout of hives
- Swelling
Flu Symptoms
- Sneezing and wheezing
- Itching in the throat and eyes
- Watery eyes
- Running nose
Other Symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Sleeplessness
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
- Pain and discomfort in the joints
- Swelling of throat
- Tightness in chest
- Anaphylaxis
Red Dye Allergy Treatment
The treatment of this allergy depends on the symptoms. The gastrointestinal symptoms tend to correct themselves as soon as the chemical passes out of the body. For flu like and other general symptoms, anti histamines may be used. The dermal symptoms are usually treated with topical ointments that contain corticosteroids.
In case of severe anaphylactic symptoms, injections of epinephrine and adrenaline are administered.
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I found after eating Twizzlers or red vine I suffered from horrific
leg and knee pain.After this happened three times i back tracked to se what
i had eatenj.The symptoms appeared after eating the liqorice.I Googled red dye in food ,And now I know the rest of the story.And also be aware when shopping now for food.
This allergy sucks. I have it and you have to watch everything you eat. there is so much in todays food that has red dye in it and the problem is some of the red things are the best tasting.
I try to watch what I eat and touch all the time. It started out with food that i injested and now has developed into things I touch that have red dye. I’m in my fifties and not always been alergic, only within the last 6 years.
I’ve had to go to the hospital several times with real real severe anaphylactic shock issues. I carry two epy pens, clear benedryl capsules, and clear benedryl lotion now. My whole family now watches everything.
The people I work with now are aware and watch what I’m around and what i eat. It is important that those around you become aware of your issues and help you watch out for you.
2 months ago, i switched from drinking coke to drinking Hawaiin Punch. I started to develop hives and tried to treat it with pink Benadryl caplets and Benadryl liquid. Could not figure out why it wasn’t helping. After a week of hives, I had my first anaphylactic reaction and they gave me pink Benadryl tablets in the ER. I had hives continously for 2 months and 2 occasions of near-anaphylaxis. I ran out of benadryl and bought the dye-free brand last week. Had no problems for 5 days. Took some pink benadryl last monday night and then drank some red kool-aid. Woke up at 12:30 am with a rash and developed a very severe anaphylactic reaction. Ended up in the ER and had to have a shot of Epinephrine. They kept me overnight. It was very scary–couldn’t swallow, couldn’t talk, etc. I’m almost positive now that it is Red dye 40!