Green Tea Allergy - Hives/Welts, Itching and Burning

by Jill Mayer
(Louisville, KY)

My mother started 3 days ago with her whole body covered in hives/welts/itching/burning/swelling. The only thing different is she started drinking hot green tea.

She's had a prednisone shot, taking pills now, taking Atarax, and still no relief. She looked a little better 15 minutes ago, and then drank the tea. Now it's as bad as ever.

We are starting to suspect the tea. Is this possible? For the record, she is allergic to many things. This is the only thing that has changed recently. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Answer:

Jill, tea in general contains polyphenols and caffeine (especially!) which may result in allergy in some individuals.

The allergies I have heard some far includes tongue and skin. The symptoms that your mum is experiencing seems to be much more severe. You ask if the tea would have caused it. I think the answer is a definitive yes, especially your mum has a strong record of allergic reactions.

Hot green tea is not much different than the common tea (called black tea) Westerners drink, which usually contains even more caffeine. If your mum has been allergic to black tea before, then it is possible that she is also allergic to green tea.

The following article will explain it in more details.

Tea and Allergy

If it helps, you may also let me know which type of green tea your mum is taking. Some green tea is more processed than others, and that might be the cause (due to additives introduced during the processing).

I wish your mum well. Given the severity of your mum's symptoms, please do not take my reply as medical advice. You may want to consult with your health adviser for a possible cure.

I hope this helps. I am keeping track on all the tea allergies readers have suggested on the link below, please feel free to comment and add to them.

Best regards and take care
Julian

Tea and Allergy - Cause Sore Tongue?

by Sore Tongue
(Clive, IA, USA)

I bought this wonderful loose leaf tea from our brand new store in our new mall It was great! After drinking three 16 oz. mugs of this tea, my tongue began to feel a little numb. By the next day my tongue felt sore. It stayed sore. I knew I needed to just lay off the tea.

I went to a Nutrition Health food store. They suggested I take a Coenzyme B Complex vitamin. Maybe I have a lack of vitamin B6 and B12. This would take care of it. Also suggested Aloe Juice to soothe my tongue. By now, it has mostly gone away (It's been about a week).

Tonight I drank regular iced tea (black tea) and I felt it affecting my tongue a little. I later made hot tea... herbal tea (the lemon and honey flavor). It doesn't seem to affect my tongue.

Have you ever heard of such a thing? Should I avoid tea altogether, or would you say herbal teas are okay? Do I have an allergy to certain teas? Or is it just a lack of Vitamin B?

Answer:

Hey, I am not a doctor, but from what you describe, it looks like you are having a food allergy.

And yes, tea contains tannins (catechins, caffeine) that may cause allergy. It is not well known, but is actually quite common.

This article below will explain more:

Tea and Allergy

Herbal teas do not contain catechins/caffeine so it is possible they are less likely to cause allergy.

I am not entirely convinced by Vitamin B, but if it works for it that is good.

If you still want to experiment with proper (non herbal) tea, try get an unflavoured version next time, as food additives may cause allergy.

For further information on what other readers' have found, please click on the comment link below to read more.

Julian

Green Tea Cause Skin Itch and Loss of Bladder Control

by Anonymous

I have recently started taking green tea as a weight reduction measure. And maybe it is a coincidence but I have developed this itching all over my body. It starts as an itch and the skin turns red with little lumps. Also now I find a little loss of control over my bladder sometimes at night. Could this be caused by green tea?

Answer:

Hey, it is possible that drinking green tea may have cause your skin itch and loss of bladder control. Symptoms like this are not well understood, but other people have reported similar symptoms regarding tea allergies. Read

As for loss of bladder control, this could be due to the caffeine in tea, which is diuretic. Do you normally drink tea or coffee? If you are not usually a caffeine consumer, your body may be adjusting to it.

For further information, please click on the comment link below for other readers' views.

Julian

Hibiscus Tea and Sore Tongue

For the past month or so, I've been making tea from the hibiscus flower. Actually ice tea and I drink probably over a gallon every 2 days.

Recently my tongue has been very sore, like bruised feeling, also now I have a pretty deep tear down the middle of my tongue.

Can to much of this Hibuscus do this to your tongue. Fyi I have been drinking other fluids and it's not making my tongue sore and either when eating food.

I apologize for sending you a picture of my tongue but it is pretty bad

Tea Substitute for Allergy Sufferers?

by Chink
(Cagayan De Oro)

I used to drink tea, but due to allergic reaction , I stopped. Is there any good tea substitute to drink?

Answer:

Chink, it really depends on which type of tea causes you to have allergy, are they of sufficient quality, and what is the reason for the allergy.

If the allergy is due to impurities present in the tea, a switch to a quality alternative may solve the problem. It is a matter of experimenting with high quality loose teas.

If the allergy is caused by tea polyphenols or caffeine, then yes, you would have to avoid teas.

The following healthy beverages can become substitute:

- Essiac Tea
- Raw Honey
- Cider Vinegar
- Herbal Teas such as Roobois or Yerba Mate, but be aware they may also contain caffeine-like substances.
- Charmomile Tea, Lavender Tea, Raspberry Tea etc. These teas are truly caffeine free.

I hope this helps.

Julian

Green Tea and Allergies - Running Nose and Rhinitis

by Nancy
(Illinois)

I started drinking one cup of strong green tea a few weeks ago. Now I have rather severe rhinitis. Could there be a connection? I am 86 years old.