What is calcium allergy: symptoms and treatment

These symptoms affect the ability to get enough calcium by an individual.

What is calcium allergy: symptoms and treatment

Yes! The calcium allergy or calcium intolerance is accompanied with unpleasant symptoms such as stomach cramping, nausea, and diarrhea.

These symptoms affect the ability to get enough calcium by an individual. Talk to your doctor about alternatives to calcium supplements and other ways you can increase calcium in your diet.

What is a calcium allergy?

Calcium- mineral vital for strong bones also play important role in neural and muscular activities

Calcium is highly essential for many other functions of body also. But, at same time it is not uncommon to come across an allergy to calcium.

The calcium-containing foods may cause allergy, intolerance, and/or sensitivity. That causes an immune system response in the body which triggers an inflammatory reaction in the body. This can be associated with life-threatening symptoms in some cases.

Calcium allergy will be presented with following symptoms

•           hives

•           low blood pressure

•           problems breathing

•           swelling of the mouth and airway

Intolerance to calcium can also be observed when calcium containing food or supplements are consumed. Symptoms associated with calcium intolerance include:

•           bloating

•           constipation

•           diarrhea

•           stomach cramping

Calcium supplements or food can also be associated with sensitivity which is associated with following symptoms:

•           coughing

•           trouble taking a full, deep breath

•           wheezing

Can calcium supplement result in allergy ?

Yes, as human body need calcium to survive. So, true calcium allergy where body’s immune system response is threatening at any time is rare. However, it’s intolerance to calcium types present in supplements along with additives is not uncommon.

Different calcium supplement types include citrate, sulphite, carbonate or phosphate forms. Among them sulphite is most commonlu associated with allergic reactions.

It is advisable to meet doctor as symptoms could be related to hypercalcemia. The symptoms associated with hypercalcemia are:-

•           constipation

•           fatigue

•           nausea

•           stomach upset

•           thirst

•           vomiting

Remember, hypercalcemia will occur in case too much calcium as a supplement is consumed

What to do in case of allergic to calcium supplements?

The suspect to allergic for calcium supplements or a component of the supplements, the best treatment is to stop them immediately. Refer to a doctor and registered dietitian to determine how enough calcium from foods can be consumed.

Talk to your doctor about these options to ensure you’re getting enough calcium.

How can calcium supplement allergy be diagnosed?

Though, calcium supplement allergy is very rare. Traditional testing methods such as a skin prick test therefore are not useful. Instead, symptoms  are more reliable post supplement consumption. In this situation it is advisable to maintain food diary with symptoms after food is consumed.  Consult the doctor if serious reaction to calcium supplements or calcium-containing foods occurs. The most serious allergic reaction is anaphylaxis and usually occurs within minutes of eating a food or taking a supplement; which can be life threatening if it persist or not intervened on time. Anaphylaxis symptoms are enlisted here:-

•           diarrhea

•           dizziness

•           hives

•           itching

•           low blood pressure

•           nausea

•           problems breathing

•           too-fast pulse

•           vomiting

•           weak pulse

This reaction type requires immediate intervention so meet your doctor to make sure it doesn’t lead to life threatening complications and doesn’t happen again.

Author : Dr Meenakshi Chowdhary

What is calcium allergy: symptoms and treatment

Yes! The calcium allergy or calcium intolerance is accompanied with unpleasant symptoms such as stomach cramping, nausea, and diarrhea.

These symptoms affect the ability to get enough calcium by an individual. Talk to your doctor about alternatives to calcium supplements and other ways you can increase calcium in your diet.

What is a calcium allergy?

Calcium- mineral vital for strong bones also play important role in neural and muscular activities

Calcium is highly essential for many other functions of body also. But, at same time it is not uncommon to come across an allergy to calcium.

The calcium-containing foods may cause allergy, intolerance, and/or sensitivity. That causes an immune system response in the body which triggers an inflammatory reaction in the body. This can be associated with life-threatening symptoms in some cases.

Calcium allergy will be presented with following symptoms

•           hives

•           low blood pressure

•           problems breathing

•           swelling of the mouth and airway

Intolerance to calcium can also be observed when calcium containing food or supplements are consumed. Symptoms associated with calcium intolerance include:

•           bloating

•           constipation

•           diarrhea

•           stomach cramping

Calcium supplements or food can also be associated with sensitivity which is associated with following symptoms:

•           coughing

•           trouble taking a full, deep breath

•           wheezing

Can calcium supplement result in allergy ?

Yes, as human body need calcium to survive. So, true calcium allergy where body’s immune system response is threatening at any time is rare. However, it’s intolerance to calcium types present in supplements along with additives is not uncommon.

Different calcium supplement types include citrate, sulphite, carbonate or phosphate forms. Among them sulphite is most commonlu associated with allergic reactions.

It is advisable to meet doctor as symptoms could be related to hypercalcemia. The symptoms associated with hypercalcemia are:-

•           constipation

•           fatigue

•           nausea

•           stomach upset

•           thirst

•           vomiting

Remember, hypercalcemia will occur in case too much calcium as a supplement is consumed

What to do in case of allergic to calcium supplements?

The suspect to allergic for calcium supplements or a component of the supplements, the best treatment is to stop them immediately. Refer to a doctor and registered dietitian to determine how enough calcium from foods can be consumed.

Talk to your doctor about these options to ensure you’re getting enough calcium.

How can calcium supplement allergy be diagnosed?

Though, calcium supplement allergy is very rare. Traditional testing methods such as a skin prick test therefore are not useful. Instead, symptoms  are more reliable post supplement consumption. In this situation it is advisable to maintain food diary with symptoms after food is consumed.  Consult the doctor if serious reaction to calcium supplements or calcium-containing foods occurs. The most serious allergic reaction is anaphylaxis and usually occurs within minutes of eating a food or taking a supplement; which can be life threatening if it persist or not intervened on time. Anaphylaxis symptoms are enlisted here:-

•           diarrhea

•           dizziness

•           hives

•           itching

•           low blood pressure

•           nausea

•           problems breathing

•           too-fast pulse

•           vomiting

•           weak pulse

This reaction type requires immediate intervention so meet your doctor to make sure it doesn’t lead to life threatening complications and doesn’t happen again.