Citric Acid Allergy...

paulamathers · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 8:32 am Post subject: Citric Acid Allergy...

My daughter Keri has always had a funny reaction to some foods, like chocolate, cakes etc in that she gets a little rash around her mouth if she eats them. The reaction is particularly bad if she eats canned macaroni cheese, where her whole face will swell up. I put it down to the fact that maybe she was having too much sugar, so cut these things right back in her diet - except the mac& cheese, I just cut that out completely. Her reaction has been getting a lot worse recently, so I took her to see our GP, who has advised me that she has a citric acid allergy, and has referred Keri to the Paediatric Dietitian. The appointment letter that came through has a date of January 20th 2009!!! I'm so annoyed because I have no idea what foods contain citric acids (except the obvious - oranges, tomatoes, lemons etc) and could really do with the help of a dietitian. I always did wonder why she would throw up if she ate tomatoes! I just figured she was being a kid and putting it on - now i feel so guilty!!!!!

I know citric acid is used as a preservative in many foods, but for example, fresh tomatoes and normal tinned tomatoes contain citric acid, but organic tinned tomatoes don't (according to the labels) - go figure!

If anyone has a similar allergy or has any advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

guido · Site Admin Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 376 Location: Italy

Paula, look at this page:
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~vclarke/citric.html

I really hope it's something else, as citric acid is almost everywhere in food nowadays.
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paulamathers · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks Guido, i'll take a look. I hope not too, but not, even ketchup brings her out in a rash Sad

Kate · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

Paula, don't panic because there is a lot you can do on your own as far as research. I'll have to look at that site Guido sent you. The fact that she gets the rash from cakes( homemade and store bought?) and chocolate leads me to think it may be a preservative allergy.

Do you have children's Benadryl over there? The cream would be best for the rash, but when her face swells up the oral medication will stop that. Anything that is child approved and contains diphendryamine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphendryamine
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paulamathers · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject:

the doctor prescribed her benadryl. citric acid is used a lot in preservative from what iv seen, but the tests said citric acid Sad

i have checked, and everything she has a reaction with - chocolate, all cakes, all have some fomr of citrus or citric acid. home made cakes aren't too bad but I have to watch because i think it must be in cocoa too. white chocolate is fine....

Kate · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject:

Is the Benadryl working?

The article Guido sent is a good one. Be careful of vitamins also as I am sure many contain citric acid. Many kids outgrow childhood allergies but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with. I've been through all the diets with Erica for hyperactivity. I had to eliminate one food from a list at a time and note any changes. Keri may have a chocolate allergy as well.
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

chocolate allergy??????? thats the worst kind ever!!!!!! Sad

benadryl seems to be working at the moment. My mum said my half brother had a citric acid allergy as a kid but outgrew it, but my cousin on my dads side is in her 30s and is still allergic, so she could go either way Sad

I havent had time to read thru the article properly, had a quick glance at work earlier, but will check it out properly. Her vitamins seem ok, but I have to watch which brand of juice she has - robinsons apple and blackcurrant has citric acid, but tesco own brand doesnt! i've found myself reading the labels on everything!!

Kate · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 5:44 am Post subject:

Lol I know you would die without chocolate. Yes you will be reading labels a lot.

I had asthma as a kid and the doctors gave me the pinch test, where they prick the skin and then place a drop of different substances and note my reaction. I tested as allergic to dogs, cats, horses, goats, corn, wheat, a bushel of plants , milk, eggs peanuts and pistachio nuts.
All were eliminated from my diet with no change. In fact I'm eating pistachio gelato right now. Always get second opinions and let's hope she out grows it
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:28 am Post subject:

the paediatrician will test her again, but the crappy NHS cant get her an appointment until January next year. Im thinking of seeing how much it will be to take her to a private paediatric dietitian to get her seen quicker. the worst things i could ever be allergic to are chocolate and red wine!! I'd cry if I couldnt have those!!!! Very Happy

I need my bottle of Chianti at the end of a stressful week!!
its also making my shopping a hell of a lot more expensive! Because citric acid is used in preservatives, im having to look for preservative free stuff which is a total rip off. When she came home yesterday, she'd had a rash from eating an apple - does apple have citric acid in?? I cant remember now! how am i supposed to get her to eat healthy nutritous meals if she's bloody allergic to everything healthy??????????!!!!!!! She's gonna be living on pie and mash at this rate!!

paulamathers · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:49 am Post subject:

i read the article Guido found, and its really informative. I also found this... http://www.understandingfoodadditives.org/pages/Ch2p9-1.htm

which says that yes, apples do contain citric acid. also weirdly, so does cheese!! that could explain the severe reaction to macaroni cheese!! although she does like Kraft Dairylea Tri Bites (which i think taste like plastic!!) and hsa no reaction at all to them. Did you know lettuce contains citric acid too? only some ice cream does but again its the cheaper brands. I hope she grows out off it! Very Happy

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