WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
  • Bookmark This Page
  • Site Map
  • Sign up for WebMD Newsletters

Allergies Health Center

Select a topic to explore more.
Select An Article
Font Size
A
A
A

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

Reviewed by Walter M. Ryan, DO on February 01, 2007
Next Article:

Most Popular Stories