While some reactions are minor, others can be quite serious.

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What Is a Salicylate Allergy?

Rather, it is considered a form of intolerance.

Aspirin

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With an allergy, exposure to certain substances triggers the release of an antibody calledimmunoglobulin E (IgE).

This, in turn, instigates the release of an inflammatory compound calledhistaminethat causes allergy symptoms.

With salicylate intolerance, there is no IgE response.

Instead, the body overreacts to salicylate and triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals calledleukotrienes.

Salicylates occur naturally in plants and help protect them from diseases, insects, fungi, and harmful bacteria.

Also known as aspirin poisoning, it is a potentially deadly condition caused an overdose of salicylate medications.

More research is needed.

List of Foods

Every person with a salicylate intolerance is different.

Avoiding all salicylate-containing foods is difficult and may not be necessary.

However,allergy testingmay be performed to see if there are any other allergy-related explanations for your symptoms.

How to Treat a Salicylate Intolerance

The most effective treatment for salicylate intolerance is to avoid salicylate.

However, this is not easy because salicylate is found in so many foods and medications.

If your symptoms are severe, you may be prescribed the Feingold Diet.

This diet removes salicylates along with artificial colors and preservatives from the foods you eat.

Symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, upset stomach, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and hives.

At this time, very little is known about the cause of salicylate intolerance.

If you believe you are sensitive to salicylate, speak with your healthcare provider.

You may be advised to avoid food and non-food items that contain high amounts of salicylate.

Baenkler HW.Salicylate intolerance: pathophysiology, clinical spectrum, diagnosis and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int.

PMID: 20440389; PMCID: PMC2859737.