Include any recent changes in your lifestyle, such as adding a new beauty treatment or changing your laundry detergent. A March 2016 study published in Scientifica compared the antifungal properties of coconut oil to those of the antifungal drug ketoconazole. When shopping for coconut oil, you'll find several varieties. Lauric acid has poor water solubility, posing a drawback to treatment, but when the research team put it in a formulation that addressed the problem, it proved to be an effective treatment. Studies show that coconut oil displays antifungal activity that can make it of value for treating Candida albicans infections. Doctors typically don't exclude coconuts from the diet of a person with a tree nut allergy, asserts Food Allergy Research & Education. What are the symptoms of a coconut oil allergy? If you experience these symptoms, go to an emergency room. Based on the case, it's possible for an allergy to develop after a history of tolerance to the food. First of all, coconuts are classified as a fruit rather than a tree nut, states the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Findings indicated that the oil boosted cognition. Pink eye in babies is common but can sometimes be more serious. To be safe, if your child has a severe allergy to tree nuts, you should speak to your doctor before letting them try coconut. Typical symptoms can include…. Since cooking chickpeas doesn’t remove the proteins that cause allergies, you…, Pear allergies occur when your immune system interacts with pear and perceives some of its proteins as being harmful. , Although it's rare that someone with a such a sensitivity would have a cross allergenicity to coconuts, it could happen, says the AAAAI. A coconut oil allergy is very rare but is possible. In a March 2017 clinical trial published in Nutricion Hospitalaria, researchers tested the effects of coconut oil on patients with Alzheimer's disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies coconut as a tree nut for food labeling purposes, but technically it’s not. The individuals were tested on cognitive skills before and after taking the oil. When it comes to a food allergy to coconut oil, your likely symptoms are itching, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing and swelling in your lips and tongue. Even ingesting very small amounts of tree nuts can trigger anaphylaxis. Chan School of Public Health, Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair and How to Use It, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: "Potential to React to Coconut If One Is Allergic to Tree Nuts", American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: "Tree Nut Allergy", Food and Drug Administration: "Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens (Edition 4)", Food Allergy Research & Education: "Tree Nut Allergy", Biomaterials: "The Antimicrobial Activity of Liposomal Lauric Acids Against Propionibacterium Acnes", Scientifica: "Comparison of Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorhexidine, Coconut Oil, Probiotics, and Ketoconazole on Candida Albicans Isolated in Children With Early Childhood Caries: An in Vitro Study", Nutricion Hospitalaria: "How Does Coconut Oil Affect Cognitive Performance in Alzheimer Patients? List all foods you eat, including any cooking products. These plans provide the same coverage as…. The body of scientific literature reports only one case of a coconut oil allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). and Copyright Policy used as a substitute for professional medical advice, Ariana Grande Has a Tomato Allergy: Here’s What to Know, Providence Medicare Advantage: A Guide to Your 2021 Plan Options, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, What to Do If Your Baby Shows Signs of Pink Eye, What to Know If You’re Told Your Baby Needs Tongue-Tie Surgery. Mary West is a health and nutrition writer, whose work has appeared in an array of online publications. Coconut is actually classified as a fruit, not as a botanical nut. LIVESTRONG.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Coconut oil deteriorates faster when exposed to heat and light, so store it in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator. Check the labels of cosmetics before you buy them. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. The LIVESTRONG Foundation and LIVESTRONG.COM do not endorse Despite the fact that the study involved test tubes rather than humans, the results merit notice because they showed coconut oil's efficacy was roughly equal to that of the medication. Coconut is often hailed as the ultimate health food. Providence offers a range of Medicare Advantage health insurance plans in parts of Oregon and Washington. Symptoms of a tree nut allergy include nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; diarrhea; nasal congestion; shortness of breath; difficulty swallowing; and itching of the nose, eyes, skin and mouth. While few cases of an allergic reaction to coconuts have been reported, most of them have occurred in people who didn't have tree nut allergies. You should also be sure to check any beauty products you use on your skin. If you are allergic to coconut oil, you are also probably intolerant of other coconut products. But coconut, just like any other food, can be dangerous if you’re allergic to it. Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the web site-many of the Most people who have tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. The most common symptoms due to coconut oil allergy are skin reactions like hives, eczema, nausea, stomach cramp or pain, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, coughing, runny nose, swelling of tongue, face, and lips. We'll give you the…. Researchers say junk food contains a compound linked to food allergies, but other experts say there are a variety of causes. Harvard's T.H. However, if you’re having an immediate reaction and are having trouble breathing, be sure to call 911 and seek medical attention right away. in Nutrition and Dietetics. An expert panel with the FDA voted for the approval of a new treatment option for children with peanut allergies. Peanuts don't fall into this category because they're legumes. Contact dermatitis cases are more common with products that touch the skin and contain coconut oil, such as lotion or beauty aids. Read more: Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair and How to Use It. Terms of Use It should not be The AAAAI says this is possible even though allergies to the oil are rarer than allergies to the fruit. Scientists found that the oil's content of lauric acid, which has antimicrobial activity, demonstrated a strong bacteria-killing action against some of the microbes that cause acne. You will receive allergy testing that will give you a clearer answer on whether you are allergic to coconut or coconut oil. We explain the rules for ambulance service and Medicare. Is Junk Food Causing the Increase in Food Allergies? Coconut can be hidden in certain products, so if you or your child has a coconut allergy, you will need to read labels to make sure the food you are purchasing or eating does not contain coconut oil. In a 2,000-calorie diet, this amount would be 21 grams, which falls under the 24 grams contained in 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans advocates limiting the consumption of saturated fat to 10 percent of the daily calorie intake. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If you’re having mild allergic symptoms, such as hives or a rash, and you suspect that an allergy to coconut may be the culprit, it’s helpful to start a food diary to track your diet and symptoms before speaking to your doctor or an allergy specialist. In those serious cases, treatment is needed to help clear up the infection. Some may wonder if coconut oil causes acne, but it actually may be beneficial for the skin disorder. Chan School of Public Health: "Coconut Oil", International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition: "Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Acids of Virgin Coconut Oil", Health.gov: "Dietary Guidelines Executive Summary, 2015-2020", Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Allergies and the Immune System", PARTNER & LICENSEE OF THE LIVESTRONG FOUNDATION. There include virgin or extra virgin, terms used interchangeably, and refined, which refers to oil that is bleached, deodorized and sometimes treated with solvents. While keeping track of your food and reactions, schedule an appointment with an allergy specialist or ask your primary doctor for a referral. Coconut oil allergies are rare, and the coconut protein is unique.