What is this instant irritation... allergy?

[g_1988]

Hi,

Does anybody here have any foods that cause instant irritation to their mouthes, as soon as they're ingested and then further irritation to their bowels?

Some time in 2010 I was eating large amounts of chocolate (Maltesers by Mars). I was eating the large bags (100g), every day for probably about a month. I started noticing that each time I forced down those delicious balls I would start sweating around the cheeks (like you do when you eat spicy food) and my mouth started becoming sore at the site of contact. The more I ate, the worse the sores were.

This has led me to stop eating chocolate, but not completely. I can tolerate small doses now but nothing large. Depending on the brand of chocolate I can eat perhaps 1 average sized bar per 2-3 days without getting sores.

Yesterday I ate a Cadbury creme egg and I could feel almost instant fire in my mouth. More like a burning acid, actually. Regardless, 1 little creme has caused the worst sores in my mouth yet. My gums are sore all around (though it is not *that* bad) and my bowels are not pleased. Bad wind and bloating pains and I can't eat properly at the moment because of this little egg.

So I'm wondering what the hell this is? It's an extremely quick reaction, happening within seconds of biting in to the chocolate. I haven't noticed it happening with any other foods, including milk and dairy, so I can rule those out. It must be the cocoa because it happens with all brands of chocolate, or perhaps their is a common ingredient in all chocolate bars that could be causing it?

So does this sound like an allergy or an intolerane? Intolerance usually causes delayed reactions in the bowels and this is very quick and in the mouth first, and I have never had any allergic-type symptoms to speak of.

I'm baffled!

Edit: Oh, and Cadbury's chocolate seems to be the worst for me. Just incase that means anything.

 

[Lydia]

Its called oral allergy syndrome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_allergy_syndrome

I get it with apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, nectarines, etc. I also have spring allergies to pollen. I can eat these fruits no problem if they are cooked or canned though.

 

[g_1988]

Hi Lydia,

Thanks for your reply. That's an interesting find, I hope it is Oral Allergy Syndrome and not part of my Crohn's. The Wiki article says:

The patient typically already has a history of atopy and an atopic family history. Eczema, otolaryngeal symptoms of hay fever or asthma will often dominate leading to the food allergy being unsuspected.

Which is supportive, since I have hay fever and eczema and a sibling has asthma. It also says:

If a sufferer swallows the food, and the allergen is not destroyed by the stomach acids there is a good chance that there will be a reaction from histamine release later in the gastrointestinal tract. Vomiting, diarrhea, severe indigestion, or cramps may occur

Which is a good reason why it is messing with my bowels. Training myself to not eat chocolate shouldn't be too hard since I have been slowly reducing the amount I eat for a good while now anyway.

Thanks again, not often we find such quick apparant answers.


G

 

[soupdragon69]

Hiya G,

I agree with Lydia in relation to Oral Allergy Syndrome. My gastro nurse pointed out it could be a problem with cinnamon and I discovered that many chocolate manufacturers put cinnamon into their products. She said it seems to be a common one amongst crohns patients. The worst ones for me are anything linked to galaxy and cadburys as I will also start coughing at times (I am asthmatic too). Lindt doesnt have the same impact as long as small amounts.

My mouth ends up on fire and I will also develop tiny ulcers around the edge of my tongue.

Its surprising what cinnamon is in believe me!

Hope this helps and you get some relief soon. ((hugs))