Vinegar contains substances like histamine, sulfites, and salicylates that can trigger allergy-like symptoms.
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Causes
Vinegar doesn’t cause the same allergic reaction as food allergies.
Sensitivities and intolerances may occur if your body can’t digest the substance properly.
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Or, you may have a side effect or reaction that doesn’t occur in most people.
Naturally-occurring salicylates may be found in various foods, including fruits and vegetables.
Vinegar other than distilled white vinegar and malt vinegar may contain salicylates.
Foods containing salicylates rarely cause sensitivity problems or symptoms.
This gas can contribute to allergy-like symptoms by irritating the airway.
Histamine Intolerance
Histamineis a naturally occurring chemical found in certain foods.
Acetic Acid Intolerance
Acetic acid is responsible for the taste and tang of vinegar.
Acetic acid is also used as a preservative in some vitamins, medicines, and foods.
They may perform tests to confirm or rule out allergies.
Allergy testing usually involves askin prick test.
After 15 minutes, they examine the skin for bumps or a skin reaction.
There also aren’t any blood tests for most sensitivities, so your provider takes a different approach.
Your healthcare provider may ask you to keep a food diary to assist in diagnosing the problem.
The next step is usually a food elimination test.
If an intolerance to a chemical is identified, you may need to avoid multiple foods.
You may also need to avoid some medicines and other products.
For example, aspirin and some antacids contain salicylates.
Your healthcare provider may recommend medications to ease your symptoms, such as corticosteroids or antihistamines.
These include:
Many different foods contain histamines.
Your healthcare provider or a dietitian can assist with developing a diet plan to prevent symptoms.
Vinegar Alternatives
Those with an intolerance may need to use alternatives in place of vinegar.
The best alternative depends on whether your intolerance is to sulfites, histamine, salicylates, or acetic acid.
However, if you need a substitute for vinegar, try using lemon or lime juice.
They can also recommend the best treatment approach going forward.
Summary
An allergy to vinegar is unlikely.
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