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Allergy to gelatin can happen due to hereditary sensitivity, which causes a type of overreaction of the immune system against a substance called alpha-gal, which gives the characteristic consistency, or against dyes responsible for giving the color of certain fruits.
The signs and symptoms of gelatin allergy are more common in people who already have other allergies and can appear right the first time that food is eaten. The most common include:
- Pale and pelleted skin;
- Itchy body;
- Dizziness;
- Low pressure;
- Tingling in the mouth;
- Dripping nose;
- Diarrhea;
- Fast heart rate;
- Difficulty breathing.
People with an allergy to gelatin due to alpha-gal sensitivity are also usually allergic to meat, beef, pork and lamb. In cases where the allergy is due to the presence of dyes, the symptoms can also manifest after eating other foods that contain the allergen dye, such as gum candy for example.
Thus, if a gelatin allergy is suspected, it is recommended to discontinue the consumption of the food and to seek a general practitioner or an allergist so that the diagnosis can be made to differentiate the cause and initiate the appropriate treatment.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of gelatin allergy is usually made by a skin contact test, called Prick, which consists of letting the possibly allergenic substance in contact with the skin to check for the appearance of symptoms. See how the Prick test is done.
If the symptoms do not manifest, the intradermal test may be indicated, in which a small dilution of the substances will be made and then injected under the skin.
After the result of which substance in the gelatin is causing the allergic process, the person will be instructed on what the food should be like, as this substance may also be present in other foods and products.
What to do in case of allergy to gelatin
In the case of any allergic symptoms after eating gelatin, or some industrialized product that has dye or gelatin in the recipe, it is recommended to seek immediate emergency care to avoid health complications, such as breathing difficulty.
The allergic reaction to gelatin can be severe, causing asphyxiation, preventing air from reaching the lungs and this symptom can only be treated with the use of drugs applied directly to the vein, inside a hospital.
Therefore, to avoid crises of allergy to gelatin it is recommended not to consume gelatin, nor desserts that can be prepared with gelatin.
Can babies eat gelatin?
Gelatine can only be supplied to babies after the 1st year of life, with only occasional and small quantities being recommended, because even if the child is not allergic, gelatine is still an industrialized product, and for the first years of free consumption should only be natural products.
In addition, parents should make sure that the baby is not allergic to dyes or alpha-gal, substances present in conventional gelatines. If the baby is allergic to alpha-gal, the consumption of gelatine is contraindicated and may bring risks to the child's life, however if the allergy is to dyes, the ideal is to opt for gelatines without this substance.
Dye-free gelatin recipe
For people allergic to the dyes present in conventional gelatines, one option is to use natural fruit juice to add flavor and color.
Ingredients:
- 1 packet of powdered flavorless gelatin;
- 20 mL of boiling water;
- 2 glasses of natural fruit juice.
Preparation mode:
Dilute the gelatin in the boiling water and let it cool, then mix the fruit juice with the flavorless gelatin and take to the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- ABAI. Brazilian Allergy and Immunology Association. Available in: . Accessed on 28 Aug 2020
- NIH. The relationship between red meat allergy and sensitization to gelatin and galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose. 2012. Available at:. Accessed on 28 Aug 2020
- NIH. Bovine and Porcine Gelatin Sensitivity in Milk and Meat-Sensitized Children. 2009. Available at:. Accessed on 28 Aug 2020