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Allergies: Salicylate Allergy
Salicylates are chemicals found naturally in plants and are a major ingredient of aspirin and other pain-relieving medications. They are also found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as many common health and beauty products.
What Are the Symptoms?
Some people have a low level of tolerance to salicylates and may have reactions if more than a small amount is consumed at one time. Symptoms of salicylate sensitivity vary but may include:
- Asthma-like symptoms, such as trouble breathing and wheezing
- Headaches
- Nasal congestion
- Changes in skin color
- Itching, skin rash or hives
- Swelling of the hands, feet and face
- Stomach pain
In severe cases, salicylate sensitivity can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction involving a severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and organ system failure. Avoiding products that contain salicylates is the best defense against a reaction.
Salicylates can be found in food, medication and cosmetics. Some examples of salicylate-containing substances include:
| Foods That Contain Salicylates | Products That May Contain Salicylates | Salicylate-Containing Ingredients |
| Fruits such as apples, avocados, blueberries, dates, kiwi fruit, peaches,
raspberries, figs, grapes, plums, strawberries, cherries, grapefruit and
prunes Vegetables such as alfalfa, cauliflower, cucumbers, mushrooms, radishes, broad beans, eggplant, spinach, zucchini, broccoli and hot peppers Some cheeses Herbs, spices, and condiments such as dry spices and powders, tomato pastes and sauces, vinegar, and soy sauce, jams and jellies Beverages such as coffee, wine, beer, orange juice, apple cider, regular and herbal tea, rum and sherry Nuts such as pine nuts, peanuts, pistachios, and almonds Some candies, such as peppermints, licorice and mint-flavored gum and breath mints Ice cream, gelatin |
Fragrances and perfumes Shampoos and conditioners Herbal remedies Cosmetics such as lipsticks, lotions, and skin cleansers Mouthwash and mint-flavored toothpaste Shaving cream Sunscreens or tanning lotions Muscle pain creams Alka Seltzer |
Aspirin Acetylsalicylic acid Artificial food coloring and flavoring Benzoates Beta-hydroxy acid Magnesium salicylate Menthol Mint Salicylic acid Peppermint Phenylethyl salicylate Sodium salicylate Spearmint |
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and
Critical Care Medicine.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
Allergies Guide
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