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Rhubarb Allergy: Are there any symptoms or side effects of being allergic to rhubarb?
Even though rhubarb is not a common source of food allergies and although it is unlikely that it will cause any side effects in humans, it is possible to be allergic to nearly any food, so rhubarb could be the cause of an allergy.
Families of botanical foods are used to categorize foods.
Often, if you have an allergy to one member of a family of foods, you will also have an allergy to other members of the family.
Those allergic to rhubarb might also be allergic to buckwheat or garden sorrel, since rhubarb is part of the “Buckwheat” family.
In addition to being used as food, the stalk of the rhubarb plant also has medicinal properties.
Consumption, handling, or ingesting rhubarb medicinal supplements can cause an allergic response to rhubarb.
It is always advisable to seek professional advice from your healthcare provider before taking rhubarb medicinal supplements. It is possible that people may experience adverse effects if they use these supplements for an extended period of time.
There are some cases in which rhubarb supplements can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb medications, or they may be harmful if you are taking other medications as well.
Symptoms of Rhubarb Allergy?
Due to the proteins present in rhubarb, a genuine allergy to it will cause the body’s immune system to overreact. Histamines are released into the bloodstream as a result, causing the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
There is a wide variety of allergic reactions to food, as well as the severity of those reactions.
A food allergy may cause a mild reaction in some people, while a severe reaction may occur in others. In some people, an allergic reaction to rhubarb can cause stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal cramps or diarrhea, similar to an allergic reaction to other foods.
Symptoms may include hives, eczema, and itchy skin, as well as other skin reactions. Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest pain may be experienced during this period.
It is possible to experience swelling in the face or throat as well as lightheadedness and heart palpitations as a result of allergic reactions to food. An allergic reaction to rhubarb may cause any or all of these symptoms.
Contact your health care provider or Emergency Medical Services if you suspect you have a rhubarb food allergy.
Rhubarb Leaf Allergy
Rhubarb plants may induce allergy symptoms like itching of the skin or mucous membranes when handled. During harvesting, for instance, you may encounter this problem. Depending on how far rhubarb allergens spread within the body, the timeframe between contact with a rhubarb plant and skin reactions may vary.
There may be an immediate itch in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat, or it may take a while for it to appear.
When the plants irritate the skin or eyes, itchiness may occur immediately. As they spread internally via the bloodstream, the irritants may reach the skin or eyes.
Wearing disposable gloves and long sleeves is the best way to protect your skin if you have an allergy to rhubarb plants.
You should also refrain from rubbing your eyes or face with your hands. You should discard your gloves once you are done harvesting the rhubarb, change into clean clothes, and wash your hands after harvesting. By doing this, it will be easier to prevent the spread of plant irritants.
Rhubarb Leaf Poisoning
There is a large amount of Oxalic Acid in Rhubarb Leaves, which makes them poisonous. Sometimes oxyalic acid is referred to as “ethane diacid”.
There may be symptoms of rhubarb poisoning similar to those of allergies, including abdominal pain, collapse, convulsions, kidney troubles, low blood pressure, mouth pain, shock, throat pain, tremors, vomiting, weak pulse. (Information Source: Medline Plus).
The Poison Control Center or Emergency Medical Services should be called if you believe you have consumed rhubarb leaves.
Rhubarb Intolerance
Intolerance to rhubarb
It is easy to confuse rhubarb intolerance with rhubarb allergy.
Food intolerance symptoms are most commonly associated with the digestive system. Examples include nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
A rhubarb food intolerance is different from a rhubarb food allergy because a food intolerance results from digestive problems, while an allergy results from an overreaction of the immune system.
Rhubarb Root Allergy
You should not eat rhubarb root. They contain a chemical called oxalic acid which, when consumed in large quantities, can be fatal.
