Could That Dermatitis Be Coconut Allergies?

Food allergies are no laughing matter.  Make light of people that can't even breathe in peanut aroma all you want but those who have serious allergies know that they're not just unpleasant; they can sometimes be downright deadly.  Coconut allergies are no exception to this rule.  While they are very rare they can be very upsetting and difficult for those who have them.

Some assume that if they have an allergy to peanuts then they are more likely to have coconut allergies, but there really is not a connection between the two.  Food allergies are very particular and difficult to pin down; there isn't always any rhyme or reason as to why a person has the particular allergies they have.  Some people have many allergies and some have only one or two.  This is why there is no connection between coconut allergies and peanut allergies; even though they are of the same food "family" they are not so identical that a person is going to be allergic to one if allergic to the other.

What is interesting about coconut allergies, however, is that people typically don't have a reaction when they ingest coconut products but rather when they come into contact with them.  They have a skin allergy to the oils in the coconut that causes a reaction of dermatitis; this might include redness, itching, swelling, dryness, and other symptoms of irritation.  Some don't realize that these reactions are because of coconut allergies as they often assume food allergies are only when you eat the food, not touch it or come into contact with oils from it.  Coconut oils are in many products, from hair care items to lip balm and hand lotion.  And these products may not necessarily smell like coconut, since the oils are not that concentrated and are contained in only small amounts.  This too contributes to the problem of people not realizing that their skin breakouts and dermatitis are being caused by coconut allergies.

If you suspect that you have coconut allergies, you should check all topical items you use, from your shampoo to hand creams and anything else you put on your skin.  The ingredients should list coconut oils if the product contains it.  Try switching to a product that is without coconut oils and see if this doesn't help your dermatitis. 

And if your doctor tells you that you have coconut allergies and you have tried eliminating the use of all products that contain coconuts, ask your doctor for some topical ointments or other treatment options.  You may be able to use some creams or lotions to help your dermatitis clear up; otherwise you could be causing serious damage to your skin.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with rashes such as Aloe Vera, Green tea, Quercitin, Bromellain and zinc.

Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. A naturally cooling gel, the Aloe Vera botanical ingredients work together to stimulate the blood circulation and naturally soften the skin.

Green Tea Contains antioxidants that may protect against heart disease, several types of cancer, and skin damage.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid.  Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation.  Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms.  Take 500 mg twice daily.

Bromellain will enhance the absorption of Quercitin.  Take 100 mg twice daily.

Zinc is needed for healing and maintaining healthy tissues. Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein and are the vital components of skin, hair, muscle tissue, the body's organs, blood cells, various enzymes and hormones.  Zinc also has a profound influence on the body's ability to resist disease.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.