Sugar Allergy: Does That Really Exist?
For those with a sweet tooth, the idea is horrible: giving up sugar because its consumption triggers allergic reactions. But does sugar allergy really exist?
Imagine you let a wonderfully sweet piece of chocolate melt on your tongue – and the next moment you get rashes and itching. This can actually happen, because a “sugar allergy” really exists. Even if, fortunately for all those with a sweet tooth, it is very rare!
Short high flights
Maybe you’ve fallen into an extreme performance low after your energy level was shot through the ceiling by a candy bar or a couple of gummy bears? It’s the sugar’s fault: it drives up the blood sugar level, which gives us power for a short time – but then it sinks again all the faster. And we sit there staring at the screen with an empty gaze, completely unable to concentrate on our work.
This reaction is quite natural and fortunately has nothing to do with a sugar allergy. Many people are simply somewhat sensitive to sugar. It becomes critical when we notice that sugar consumption causes physical complaints. Here too, a distinction must be made between sugar intolerance and a genuine allergy – the latter can become life-threatening in the worst case.
What are the symptoms of a sugar allergy?
In the case of sugar intolerance, the symptoms are primarily rather annoying: nausea and flatulence can occur, for example. If an allergy is present, on the other hand, physical symptoms occur immediately after consumption. These include, for example:
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal cramps
- Skin rash
- Itching
If you experience shortness of breath or if your throat feels constricted, the emergency doctor should be called immediately. These symptoms indicate an anaphylactic shock that, if left untreated, can lead to fainting and, at worst, death.
Symptoms? See a doctor!
Fortunately, a real sugar allergy is, as already mentioned, really very rare. Incompatibilities are more common, however – because lactose intolerance is also considered sugar intolerance. If you have the feeling that you are allergic to foods containing sugar, you should definitely talk to your doctor.
The best way to do this is to keep a diet diary in which you record what you have eaten and whether any complaints have arisen. Patients with intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis should also be careful: those affected usually have a higher risk of sugar intolerance.