Allergy to vitamin C: symptoms, causes, recommendations

Vitamin C is essential for maintaining good connective and bone tissue. Since ascorbic acid performs many important functions, many do not just try to add to menu, foods rich in it, but also take this vitamin additionally for prevention hypovitaminosis.

It is worth noting that vitamin C allergy is considered common, but is it really "ascorbic acid" that causes unpleasant symptoms?

Causes of Vitamin C Allergy

Food allergies to ascorbic acid are not common. It can occur if a person has eaten a lot of vitamin C-rich foods in a short period of time. More often than not, the culprits of the negative reaction are various chemicals with which fruits, berries and vegetables are processed so that they persist for as long as possible.

Another reason is all kinds of fertilizers that are used in the industrial cultivation of fruits. Thus, an allergy to citrus fruits or other foods containing a large amount of ascorbic acid does not yet indicate an allergy to vitamin C.

As for drugs with ascorbic acid, they cause an allergic reaction much more often than foods. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to get an overdose when using medications. In addition, drugs, in addition to ascorbic acid, contain other vitamins and minerals, as well as excipients. There are especially many additional components in dragees or chewable tablets. For example, pills contain the following components:

• starch syrup;
• wax;
• talc;
• flavoring;
• dye quinolone yellow.

Manufacturers add calcium stearate and flavor and flavor enhancers to chewable tablets with ascorbic acid and glucose. All of these substances are potential allergens.

It should be borne in mind that the unauthorized intake of vitamin preparations is often to blame for the development of hypervitaminosis. Recently, it has become fashionable to give vitamins to children and take them themselves several times a year as a prophylaxis for a variety of diseases. Many women take vitamins during pregnancy to ensure the ideal conditions for their baby's development. However, the abuse of ascorbic acid causes sensitization of the fetus, due to which the child is born, already having a tendency to an allergic reaction.

Ascorbic acid allergy symptoms

Food allergies that have arisen against the background of excessive consumption of foods with vitamin C are most often accompanied by a mild form of dermatitis. The symptoms of this condition are as follows:

• redness, dryness, and flaking of the skin;
• rashes in the form of tiny bubbles with a clear liquid inside;
• hives;
• itchy skin.

Less commonly, with an allergy to vitamin C, rhinitis occurs, which is manifested by nasal congestion, burning and itching in the nose, and a runny nose. These signs can be joined by the symptoms of conjunctivitis: redness of the eyes, poor tolerance to bright light, lacrimation and pain in the eyes. It is extremely rare for an allergy to vitamin C to be severe and accompanied by angioedema. This condition is manifested by shortness of breath, shortness of breath, cough, swelling of the face and limbs, acute abdominal pain.

An overdose of ascorbic acid has slightly different symptoms. This condition manifests itself

• nausea and repeated vomiting;
• abdominal pain, diarrhea;
• dizziness;
• insomnia and weakness.

Very often, hypervitaminosis and an allergic reaction occur together, therefore, signs of intoxication and allergies are observed simultaneously.

Treatment of an allergic reaction

To prevent new allergens from entering the body, temporarily stop eating suspicious foods, and also stop taking vitamins. In order to stop the allergic reaction, systemic antihistamines are prescribed: Zirtek, Erius, Tavegil.

If an allergy to vitamin C is provoked by the use of a large number of foods containing ascorbic acid, it is advisable to use enterosorbents (activated carbon, Enterosgel, "Polyphepan"). These drugs bind the allergen and remove it from the body. Also, the elimination of irritating substances is facilitated by the use of a large amount of liquid. With the development of angioedema, a short course of systemic corticosteroids is prescribed.

Antihistamines for topical use: "Fenistil-gel" or "Bamipin" help to eliminate the symptoms of dermatosis. To relieve itching and redness, you can use an ointment with a calcineurin inhibitor - "Elidel". If the itching becomes unbearable, and the rash spreads to large areas of the skin, the doctor prescribes hormonal ointment ("Gistan N", "Lorinden S", "Flucinar"). Only a specialist can prescribe drugs with corticosteroids, since in addition to being highly effective, such drugs have a whole set of side effects.

Prevention of allergy to ascorbic acid

To forget about your vitamin C allergy, follow these tips.

1. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before placing them on the table. It is advisable to use baking soda or a weak solution of acetic acid, as well as a separate sponge - this is will help remove residues of wax, sorbic acid, paraffin, biphenyl and many other substances that are processed fruit.
2. The main part of vitamin C is contained in the peel, so allergy sufferers are advised to peel fruits and vegetables before eating. For some, this measure helps to ease the symptoms of allergies, but it is worth remembering that removing the peel deprives you not only of ascorbic acid, but also of many other useful compounds.

1. An allergic reaction is much less common when eating seasonal vegetables and fruits, as well as fruits grown in their own garden. Do not miss the chance to "stock up" vitamins in summer and autumn.
2. Allergy to vitamin C is often provoked by the intake of vitamin-mineral complexes, especially in children. A one-time intake of a large amount of biologically active substances in the body can cause a negative response from the immune system.
3. Among all preparations with ascorbic acid, make a choice in favor of those products that contain the minimum amount of excipients.
4. Allergy periodically manifests itself in children of the first years of life, but in most cases it is of a transient nature, therefore, after a while, the unpleasant symptoms disappear forever.

No need to abuse vitamins, eating handfuls of "ascorbic acid" at the slightest ailment. Hypervitaminosis can play a cruel joke, it is often even more dangerous than a small vitamin deficiency. In addition, the bulk of vitamins and minerals must be supplied to the body with food, therefore, with hypovitaminosis, it makes sense to adjust the diet before starting to take a vitamin preparation. If you are pushed by obvious symptoms to use vitamins, consult your doctor.