What causes an allergy to coffee?
Disease description:
Recently, I've been enjoying drinking coffee. After consuming coffee, I developed some hives. A friend mentioned this might be due to a coffee allergy. What causes an allergy to coffee?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
The majority of coffee allergies are caused by an over-sensitive reaction of the human body. Coffee contains caffeine, which may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Common symptoms include allergic eczema, urticaria (hives), or skin itching. It is recommended that patients avoid consuming coffee during the course of the illness. If allergic symptoms are severe, antihistamine medications should be taken to alleviate the reaction. Common antihistamines include cetirizine and terfenadine.
