Without your knowledge you’re consuming many artificial or chemical food colors. That alluring food that you love may actually contain some harmful ingredients. Red dye is one of the common food dye color used in various products.
Red dye allergy is a very common allergy that affects both children as well as adults. This allergy is also known as the Red 40 Allergy because this allergy occurs when the human body cannot process the food dye classified as Red 40.
The Red dye allergy symptoms appear when children and/or adults are unable to digest the red dye present in food. Typically the Red dye or Red-40 is a food coloring that is used to color foods Red. This is most commonly available as food coloring number 2 also technically called Carmine or Cochineal Extract. Another common source of red dye other than food coloring number 2 is food coloring number 40 which is used in a variety of medicines and foods. Red dye is used to impart the characteristic Red color to food and may sometimes also be used to preserve food.
Nowadays in the market, there are a large number of packaged and fast foods available which have an abundance of the red dye. Typically foods like snacks, sweets, fast foods and other fancy foods have a large content of preservatives and the Red Dye in them. Since kids are specifically fond of eating these types of food, the Red Dye Allergy is most commonly prevalent in Kids.
Red dye allergy is highly treatable but the only problem with this is that the symptoms of red dye allergy are not very much visibly determinable. Therefore knowing whether or not the person has red dye allergy is very difficult to diagnose.
Red Dye Allergy Symptoms
Allergic skin reaction:
The most common symptom of red dye 40 allergy is itching. There may also be redness of the skin and we may also observe slight swelling of the skin due to this allergy. Hives, pus filled boils, rashes, itching are a few skin reactions from having red dye allergy.
Angioedema may be another severe skin reaction occurring due to red dye allergy. Angioedema is a swelling of the skin, but this happens deep in the skin layers. This could look like the mark left behind from a whip, like a welt on the skin. Angioedema is usually seen on the person’s tongue, eyelids and other facial areas.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms:
This is probably the most common symptom for any kind of food allergy (food dyes rainbow of risks pdf). Red dye allergy specifically may cause gas and diarrhea. Sometimes a person suffering from red dye allergy may feel bloated due to this allergy. Stomach aches could indicate the beginning of the allergy onset. It could lead to more serious symptoms such as vomiting and frequent stool. This usually is the body’s way to pass out the allergen, in this case the red dye, out of its system. Symptoms should cease once all the dye is out of the system.
Respiratory Symptoms:
The biggest problem with Red dye allergy is that it does not have specific respiratory symptoms. The red dye allergy symptoms may be the same as the symptoms for the flu or having a fever. Similar to the symptoms of the flu, it may cause sore throat, sneezing, running nose, watering eyes, itchy throat, etc. People usually treat the symptoms of the cold with antibiotics and anti-histamines rather than detecting the actual allergy of the red dye.
Anaphylactic Shock symptoms:
If the Red dye allergy is untreated for a long time in spite of having repeated attacks, it can become extremely severe and lead to anaphylactic shock. The symptoms of anaphylactic shock caused due to red dye allergy can be identified by swelling of the body and other respiratory symptoms. People under anaphylactic shock cannot breathe because of the swelling of the respiratory system. We can cure anaphylactic shock by giving an injection of adrenaline or epinephrine which loosens the swelling and helps the respiratory system to re-function.
Hyperactivity and ADHD in children:
Many times after eating red dyed food, children exhibit hyperactivity and attention deficiency. Children also become sullen and moody and may also throw increased tantrums. This is due to the red dye allergy caused by eating foods that primarily contains the red dye. Sometimes the medicines that are given to children including iron supplements, calcium supplements may contain red dye and may lead to this allergy.
Other varied Symptoms Of Red Dye Allergy:
Faster pulse, fluctuations in blood pressure, fainting spells and dizziness, arthritic symptoms, loss of appetite, insomnia, lack of concentration, sensitivity to light/sound, etc.
Recommended: Dark side of food coloring and natural alternatives to it
Sources Of Red Dye in Daily life: (Red Dye Allergy Causes)
Red dye may not only be found in foods, there are a lot of other sources of Red dye in our day to day life that can cause the red dye allergy. Many of them are listed as follows:
Foods such as jelly, marshmallows, chocolates, cereals, Red colored candies and lollipops, cheese, ice creams, chewing/bubble gum, packaged juices etc.
Make Up/Health Care items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos and conditioners, lipsticks and other makeup items, medicine tablets and syrups, tattoos(especially red inks used)
Red Dye Allergy Treatment
There is no real remedy for a red dye allergy. It is always better to take preventative measures rather than seeking out cures. Always avoid foods which are probable to contain red dye. Do not use cosmetics or medicines that may contain red dye that will prevent red dye allergy.
In case of an attack of red dye allergy, you can use anti-allergy medicines that may help relieve some symptoms. The gastric problems will stop once the red dye is passed out of your system through natural means. Topical creams and ointments for allergy may be used to treat certain skin symptoms. Adrenaline injections will be given in case of severe red dye 40 allergy symptoms which lead to anaphylactic shock.
Preventing Red Dye Allergy:
- Gain more knowledge about the symptoms of red dye allergy. Keep a lookout for the different names of red dye such as: Red, Carmine, Crimson Lake, Natural Red 4, Carminic acid, E 120 etc.
- Talk to a doctor about knowing more about the red dye allergy. The more knowledge you have, the better your chances at prevention.
- Make it a point to read labels of packaged foods/topical items. Keep a watch for the different names of red dye. Avoid buying items that contain red dye. Medicine packs also typically contain information on the colors used on the packaging, read them before buying. If you are unsure, ask the seller if the medicine contains red dye.
- For children who are fond of eating fast foods that may contain red dye, try changing their diet slowly or make it at home therefore preventing red dye intake.
Food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food. A food allergy causes few types of reaction after ingesting foods that include synthetic dyes.
Allergy symptoms can be differ from person to person, all may not experience the same types of symptoms. It is very difficult to predict the symptoms of an allergic reaction in hypersensitive patients.
In general, the allergy reaction can affect the skin, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract.
Causes of food allergy can be classified into three types of mechanisms
- IgE-mediated
- Non-IgE mediated
- Non-IgE and/or IgE mediated
Food dying is one of color pigment or substance which is added to the food or drink.It is in the various forms and as well as it is used for both commercial and domestic purpose for food production.In general, the coloring application can be used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, home craft projects.
Artificial Food Dye
From early 19 century, the synthetic coloring has been derived from coal tar. Processed food products manufacturers are preparing this dyes to make food brighter and more appealing. The U.S Food and Administration Agency has permitted to be use of these artificial dye with strict safety requirements.
However, most of the food dyes are causing health problems as well as it is linked with cancer in animals and hyperactivity in children. Food industries are interested in using food dyes like red dye to allure customers and replacing them with natural food substances.
Disadvantages of red dye 40 include bladder cancer, mild allergic reactions, adrenal glands and kidney issues, thyroid tumors and brain tumor in mice.
Foods with these artificial food dye include junk foods which are more in calories and low in nutrients.
Avoiding foods that include red dye 40 is one of the best way to prevent red dye allergy.
On other other hand, natural food coloring are safe. But you must make sure you aren’t allergic to them.
Consult your physician if you’re unable to confirm red dye allergy symptoms, and remember its better being safe than sorry.
Red Dye Allergy News
- C & G Newspapers – Local schools aim to protect kids with allergies
- Philly.com – Can food dyes cause allergic reactions
- Foodsafetynews.com – Food Dyes Linked to Cancer, ADHD, Allergies
Image source: 1, 2 (altered)