ALLERGY RESOURCES

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND

COMPREHENSIVE ALLERGY RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE - THE TOP 14 ALLERGENS AND BEYOND

HONEY ALLERGY


Key Allergens

Honey is primarily sugar; proteins which may cause allergy have not yet been identified.

An allergic reaction to honey is most likely to be from what else may be within the honey, trace contaminants of:

- Pollen particles

- Antibiotics and herbicides

- Bee and hive remnants

Honey which contains pollen from the plant family Compositae (which includes sunflower and ragweed) is more likely to cause allergic symptoms.


Food Intolerances

Food is high in FODMAP Food is high in salicylates

Honey is a high FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.

Honey is a food high in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.

You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.

Associated Syndromes

There is no information on syndromes associated with honey allergy.

Cross Reactivity

The link between bee sting allergy and honey allergy is weak. Bee venom is made of several components which work in conjunction with each other; these can be partially lost in the honey making process and do not have the same effect when ingested.




Resources

Websites

Bee Facts - British Beekeepers Association

Allergen Encyclopedia - Honey

Dermnet NZ - Contact allergy to propolis

Healthline - Allergic to Honey

Healthline - FODMAP Foods

ATP Science - Salicylate Foods


Articles and Journals

Identification of gluten and the major milk allergens Bos d 5 and Bos d 11 within commercially available honey samples, 2024

Reported Cases and Diagnostics of Occupational Insect Allergy: A Systematic Review, 2023

Anaphylaxis Reaction Caused by Honey-Based Enema -A Case Report, 2022

Honey-induced anaphylaxis in an adult, 2022

A Case of Anaphylaxis Caused by Major Royal Jelly Protein 3 of Royal Jelly and Its Cross-Reactivity with Honeycomb, 2021

A rare case of multiple severe anaphylaxis caused by thyme, black pepper, wasp and honey, 2019

Ragweed components in honey, 2017

Anaphylaxis caused by honey: a case report, 2017

Contamination of honey by the herbicide asulam and its antibacterial active metabolite sulfanilamide, 2004

Whole bee for Diagnosis of Honey Allergy, 2002

Immunochemical screening for antimicrobial drug residues in commercial honey, 1998

Venom allergy, 1998

Honey allergy is rare in patients sensitive to pollens, 1995

Allergy to honey: relation to pollen and honey bee allergy, 1992



Let me know if you found any of these interesting or useful. If you spot an article or research that you think is interesting you can message me or tag me on Facebook or Twitter - links at the bottom of the page.


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