Honey water is a highly nutritious food with various benefits such as beauty enhancement, nourishing Yin and moisturizing, and boosting immune system. However, some people have allergies to honey. What are the symptoms of honey water allergy?
Symptoms of Honey Water Allergy
Honey is a common nourishing food made by bees from nectar collected from flowering plants. Some people may have allergic reactions to honey, but the symptoms of allergy after drinking honey water vary due to individual differences. The common symptoms include:
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Some people may experience gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming honey water, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, these reactions are relatively rare.
Skin Symptoms
Most people who are allergic to honey water will experience skin allergic reactions, usually manifested as hives, itching, and redness. In severe cases, facial or body swelling may occur.
Other Symptoms
In addition to gastrointestinal and skin symptoms, some people may experience other discomforts after allergies, such as dizziness, headache, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.
What to Do If Allergic to Honey Water
1. Stop Drinking Honey Water Immediately
In general, if various discomforts are caused by allergies to honey water and the symptoms are mild, stopping drinking honey water for a period of time will gradually alleviate the symptoms until they disappear.
2. Drink Warm Water
After experiencing allergic reactions to honey water, it is recommended to drink a moderate amount of warm water. This can help dilute the honey water in the body and promote its excretion, which can relieve discomfort to a certain extent or prevent the symptoms from worsening.
3. Take Antihistamines
After having an allergic reaction to honey water, you can take antihistamines (such as loratadine) orally to relieve allergic reactions. However, it is important to strictly follow the instructions and avoid increasing the dosage without professional guidance.
4. Seek Medical Attention
If the allergic reaction is severe and cannot be relieved on its own, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately for appropriate treatment such as fluid replacement and antiallergic therapy, in order to avoid further aggravation of the condition.
How to Prevent Allergies to Honey Water
If you have never consumed honey or honey products before and cannot determine whether you are allergic to it, you can try drinking a small amount of honey water and observe your body's reaction for about 1 hour. If no allergic symptoms occur during this period, it indicates that you can drink honey water.
Can Honey Treat Allergies?
It has a certain relieving effect.
Honey contains trace amounts of bee venom, which can have a corticosteroid-like effect, improve the body's internal environment, regulate immune function, and thus play a role in clearing heat and detoxification, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic effects. Therefore, if the respiratory allergies (such as asthma, cough, and breathing difficulties) or skin allergies (such as rash, itching, and redness) are caused by other allergens, drinking honey in moderation can provide some relief.
Precautions when Drinking Honey Water
1. Do Not Brew at High Temperatures
When brewing honey water, the water temperature should not be too high. High temperatures can destroy the nutritional components of honey, reduce its nutritional value, and affect its taste, making it more acidic.
2. Not Suitable for Diabetics
Diabetics should avoid consuming foods with high sugar content, and honey water contains a large amount of sugar. Drinking honey water may directly raise blood sugar levels and cause discomfort for diabetics.
3. Not Suitable for Dampness-Blocking Spleen Stagnation
Honey water is greasy in nature. People with dampness-blocking spleen stagnation may experience worsened symptoms such as bloating, heaviness in the abdomen, thick and greasy tongue coating, and soreness in the limbs after consuming it.
4. Not Suitable for Hepatic Cirrhosis Patients
The active ingredients in honey water can exacerbate the degree of liver fibrosis. Long-term or excessive consumption of honey water by patients with hepatic cirrhosis may worsen their condition.
5. Not Suitable for Infants
Honey is prone to contamination by Clostridium botulinum during production or storage. Infants have weak resistance and may develop botulism, leading to symptoms such as constipation, fatigue, and decreased appetite.
