Canola Oil Allergy: Are You at Risk?

Canola oil is vegetable oil derived from the canola plant seeds. It belongs to the Brassica botanic family as well as cauliflower and broccoli, for example. This oil has become widespread because of its beneficial composition and cheap price. It is a healthy substitute for olive oil, safflower oil and other vegetable oils. However, some people experience adverse reactions to canola oil, or canola oil allergy, as they call it. If you suffer from undesirable symptoms every time you eat canola oil or products cooked with it, you should visit a physician.

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Cause of reactions

According to Wikipedia a food allergy is the immune system disorder when the body reacts to a food protein. So allergy requires the presence of protein. As nutritiondata.com says canola oil contains no protein. So technically it is not canola oil allergy. However, people suffering from digestive and breathing difficulty, vomiting, nauseam sneezing or watery eyes whenever they eat dishes fried in or dressed with canola oil disagree. They feel the symptoms of an allergy reaction.  

Doctors often call this state a “sensitivity to canola oil” or “intolerance”. However, it is better to call it canola oil allergy as you may explain your possible reactions to food servers or friends much easier using this term. 

SEE ALSO: Is Canola Oil Gluten Free?

Symptoms

Symptoms of canola oil allergy can appear within several minutes or even a few hours, as Medline Plus notes. Symptoms can be divided into several groups:

-          digestive difficulty,

-          respiratory reactions,

-          asthma,

-          skin issues.

Digestive symptoms are stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, nausea and vomiting. They may develop in a light form or may be severe and exhausting. Sneezing, nasal congestion and watery eyes are among the most widespread symptoms of respiratory reactions to canola oil. They may lead to sinus headaches or facial tenderness. Asthma symptoms are frightening and dangerous. If you feel difficulty breathing, chest tightness o wheezing, call for medical assistance. Canola oil allergy may cause irritation or inflammation on the skin, itchiness or eczema.

IMPORTANT! Can You Fry with Canola Oil?

Treatment

The best treatment of canola oil allergy is to identify its presence and to avoid consuming canola oil. The main thing is to make sure that you suffer exactly from canola oil. After that you will have to read labels on the products you eat and inform food servers if you eat out.  They often use canola oil for deep-frying in the restaurants, so avoid deep-fried food there. Vegetable oil is sometimes a mixture of canola oil with other oils, so before your order always make sure what oil they use in the restaurant to cook the food.  Some drugs may help avoid allergy reactions or lessen symptoms, but only doctor can recommend you the medical treatment. Sometimes symptoms are caused not by an allergy but by some digestive problems.

Warning

In case you are prone to allergic reactions or you have already experienced canola oil allergy caution should be taken. Food allergy may cause anaphylactic shock. It is a sudden allergic reaction that can result in death if not treated properly. During anaphylaxis the excessive quantity of histamines enters the body. The main symptoms are loss of consciousness, hives, chest pain, trouble swallowing, low pulse and vomiting.