Order a honey allergy IgE blood test to detect an allergy to honey. This test measures the amount of allergen-specific antibodies in a blood sample.
Honey is a natural sweetener produced by honeybees using nectar from flowering plants. Honey also contains amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, although it is mostly made of sugar. These ingredients make honey a natural healing treatment. It's a popular cough remedy, a natural anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant.
Although honey has some natural medicinal benefits, some individuals develop an allergy to it. When honey is made, it can potentially contain bee pollen and pollen from other plants and trees, including:
- buckwheat
- willow
- tulips
- oak
- sunflowers
- hackberry
- eucalyptus
- other plants in the area
If an individual is allergic to pollen, it is possible to be allergic to some forms of honey. In certain instances, this makes pollen the allergen, rather than the honey itself.
An allergy to honey triggers a reaction in an individual's immune system. The body views certain substances as toxic and produces IgE antibodies to these contaminants. These antibodies cause histamine to be released, which will cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Allergy symptoms vary from one individual to the next ranging from mild to severe reactions. Common symptoms of a honey allergy can be similar to pollen allergy symptoms, including:
- runny nose
- itchy throat
- sneezing
- rash
- swelling
- hives
- watery eyes
- bumps on the skin
In severe cases, symptoms may include:
- headaches
- fainting
- wheezing
- irregular heartbeat
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- anaphylaxis
