An allergic reaction to CBD oil can be frightening. Though most symptoms are not life-threatening, some people are unaware of what to do in case they experience CBD allergies.
It’s important to know the symptoms of an allergic reaction so you can seek treatment quickly. Read on for more information about what it is, how it happens, and what you can do if somebody has an allergy to CBD oil.
Does CBD Cause Allergic Reaction?
Taking CBD oil is safe as it is made from all-natural ingredients. However, it is unavoidable to experience an allergic reaction to CBD oil at some point. Some people are prone to having this because of the following reasons:
- They are taking other drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen. These will increase your chances of having an allergic reaction because they reduce the blood flow to your skin, which could lead to serious damage in case you have CBD oil allergies.
- Some people also experience side effects when using CBD topicals since it is applied directly to the skin. This is because our skins have a thin layer called the epidermis that protects us from foreign substances entering them.
- CBD oil can also cause allergies when ingested, but this is rarer than other forms of allergy since many people use oils for massage and ingestion only in very small amounts through capsules or gummies.
The most common symptoms of CBD oil allergy are skin-related. These include:
- Redness: this often appears as a blotchy or uneven color on your skin
- Itchiness: this is accompanied by an urge to scratch the affected area, which can worsen the rash and lead to other symptoms like swelling;
- Hives: these appear as raised bumps that are swollen and very itchy. They usually go away without treatment but reappear after a few hours.
- Swelling: this can happen in the face, tongue, throat, or eyes. It is important to seek medical attention if swelling occurs as it may lead to breathing difficulty and closing of your airways.
An allergic reaction will not kill you but worsen your condition with time because CBD oil works by binding with CB-receptors located throughout our body. When this happens, your immune system will produce histamine that causes inflammation.
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Side Effects to Expect from CBD Oil Allergies
Though CBD oil allergies are rare, they can cause serious complications. Some of these side effects include:
- Difficulty breathing – this is a symptom that needs immediate attention as it might lead to death if left untreated.
- Nausea and vomiting – are also symptoms that need immediate attention or may lead to dehydration.
- Stomach pain, diarrhea, fever – generally low blood pressure (hypotension) caused by histamine release which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
- Anaphylaxis is the most severe allergic reaction that usually needs immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
- Difficulty breathing: The closing of your throat and tongue leading to the inability to speak or swallow swelling in your face, lips, eyes, or mouth which may cause difficulty swallowing/breathing
- Faster heartbeat: This can be life-threatening if not treated quickly with an injection of epinephrine (adrenaline).
Read more: Why CBD Oil Is Not Working for You?
How to Treat Allergic Reaction to CBD Oil
Most of the time, CBD oil allergies are mild and do not require any special treatment. All you need to do is stop using CBD topicals or oils for a few days until your symptoms clear up on their own.
If you experience more severe allergic reactions like swelling in the face, throat, or eyes that do not go away even after taking antihistamine medication, you need to seek medical attention.
You can reduce your risk of having CBD oil allergies by consulting with a doctor about the ingredients in the product that you are buying or using before taking it. This way, you may be able to avoid an allergic reaction to one ingredient only while still being able to enjoy other health benefits from hemp oil products.
CBD oil allergies are rare but can cause serious complications if left untreated, so be sure to consult your doctor right away whenever you experience symptoms like redness, itchiness, or difficulty breathing. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment begin, the better for a speedy recovery without the further complication of CBD oil allergy side effects.
Read more: Can CBD Help You Quit Smoking?
Best Ways to Diagnose CBD Allergy
If you think that your reaction to CBD oil is an allergy, do not take any chances. Immediately consult a doctor about the best course of action for treatment and diagnosis.
The most common tests used in diagnosing allergies are:
- Skin prick test – this is where a small amount of extract from hemp plants is injected under your skin; if you are allergic to the extract, you will have a reaction
- Blood test – this is performed to determine whether your body produces histamine when exposed to hemp extracts. If it does then that means that you are allergic to CBD oil or any of its ingredients.
If your doctor has confirmed that you are allergic to CBD oil or its ingredients, there is no cure for it. However, he may recommend treatment depending on the severity of your condition.
- Mild allergies will only require strict avoidance of using hemp extracts to prevent having an adverse reaction
- Moderate allergy symptoms can be treated with antihistamine medication. In extreme cases, your doctor may prescribe epinephrine (adrenaline) to use in case of a severe allergic reaction.
- Severe allergies that cause anaphylaxis will need emergency medical treatment and care from trained professionals immediately. You might even have to stay in the hospital until you recover completely from symptoms like swollen face/tongue/throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and low blood pressure.
Allergic reactions to CBD oil can be mild, moderate, or severe but regardless of the case, you must consult a doctor for immediate diagnosis and treatment to avoid further complications. With proper care and prompt action from your side, there should not be any problem with CBD oil allergy side effects.
Read more: How Does CBD Stay in your System
Bottomline
When you experience the symptoms of CBD oil allergy, immediately stop using topical or oral CBD oil products. Consult a doctor about the best treatment for your condition right away before it gets worse. It is just important that you know if you are having side effects or reactions. This will help you to easily find solutions to the symptoms that might come up.