Andy Montoya
Blue cheese is a delicious treat, but it can also be a source of discomfort for some. The two main allergens in blue cheese are milk and mould, with some people experiencing inflammation and allergic reactions after consumption. Those with a known milk allergy should avoid dairy products, including blue cheese, as even a small amount can cause an allergic reaction. For those with mould allergies, the good news is that ingested mould is less likely to cause a reaction than inhaled mould spores. However, mould in blue cheese can produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins, which can have short- and long-term health effects. Additionally, some people may be concerned about the presence of penicillin in blue cheese, but the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology assures that the Penicillium cultures used do not produce penicillin. Nevertheless, some individuals with penicillin allergies have reported reactions to blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Allergic reaction | Inflammation, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, facial swelling, headache, dizziness, fainting, sweating, numbness of the limbs, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, retrosternal tightness, pain, pulmonary oedema, coronary syndrome |
| Cause of allergy | Milk, mould, penicillin |
| Symptoms | Vary depending on the cause of the allergy |
| Treatment | Antihistamines, adrenaline |
| Prevention | Avoidance of blue cheese, refrigeration of blue cheese |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese contains milk and mould, which are common allergens
- People with penicillin allergies can eat blue cheese if it's not spoiled
- Blue cheese can cause histamine poisoning, which resembles an allergic reaction
- Symptoms of a blue cheese allergy include inflammation, skin rashes, and nausea
- If you suspect a blue cheese allergy, consult a doctor for allergy testing
Blue cheese contains milk and mould, which are common allergens
Blue cheese is a dairy product made primarily from milk. It is also characterised by blue spots, which are mould. Both milk and mould are common allergens, and consuming blue cheese can trigger allergic reactions in people with allergies to either substance.
Milk is one of the most common food allergies in both children and adults. If you are allergic to milk, your immune system mistakes the proteins in milk as dangerous and attempts to fight them off with IgE antibodies, which trigger mast cells to produce histamine, leading to inflammation. Consuming even a small amount of milk can cause an allergic reaction, with symptoms including diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. Most symptoms of a milk allergy will appear within minutes of ingesting blue cheese.
Mould allergies are also common, often arising from inhaling airborne spores during spring, summer, and autumn. Inhaled mould spores cause inflammation in the eyes, throat, and sinuses, whereas ingested mould can cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal system and the skin. If you have a mould allergy, eating blue cheese can trigger common mould allergy symptoms.
In addition to milk and mould allergies, some people may also experience an allergic reaction to blue cheese due to penicillin. Penicillium cultures are used in the production of blue cheese, and some of these cultures, such as Penicillium chrysogenum, are known penicillin producers. However, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Penicillium cultures used in blue cheese do not produce penicillin, so it is generally safe for people with penicillin allergies to consume blue cheese as long as it has not spoiled.
If you experience any signs of inflammation or other adverse reactions after consuming blue cheese, consult your doctor, as you may have an allergy to one or more of its ingredients.
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People with penicillin allergies can eat blue cheese if it's not spoiled
Blue cheese contains two highly allergenic substances: milk and mold. If you have a known milk allergy, you should avoid all dairy products, including blue cheese, as even a small amount of milk can cause an allergic reaction. The blue spots found in blue cheese are mold, and if you have a mold allergy, you should also avoid blue cheese.
Some people are allergic to penicillin, which is a mold, and this can cause apprehension about eating mold-laced cheeses such as blue cheese. However, it is important to note that the Penicillium in cheese and medical penicillin are two separate compounds. While there is some risk of an allergic reaction as some blue cheeses use the chrysogenum strain, it seems unlikely that eating blue cheese will cause a severe allergic reaction.
Reactions to blue cheese vary from person to person. Some people with a penicillin allergy can eat blue cheese without a problem, while others have reported mild reactions such as gastrointestinal issues, tingly lips, and shakiness. It is important to understand the symptoms of an allergic reaction and to be aware that allergies are very individual.
Therefore, if you have a penicillin allergy and want to try blue cheese, it is recommended to proceed with caution. You may want to consult your doctor or an allergy specialist for advice. It is also advised to have some allergy medication, such as Benadryl, on hand if you do decide to try blue cheese. Additionally, it is worth noting that some people have reported being able to tolerate certain "blue cheese" products, such as salad dressings, that may not contain "real" blue cheese.
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Blue cheese can cause histamine poisoning, which resembles an allergic reaction
Blue cheese is made from milk and contains mould, specifically, the Penicillium genus. Both milk and mould are common allergens, and blue cheese can trigger allergic reactions in people with allergies to either.
However, blue cheese can also cause histamine poisoning, which resembles an allergic reaction. Scombrotoxin poisoning, or histamine poisoning, is caused by the release of histamine into the flesh of freshly caught fish, prawns, and blue or Swiss cheeses left out of the fridge for a while. Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical compound that plays a crucial role in the body, such as controlling blood pressure and cell growth. It is commonly found in fish and fermented foods like cheese, charcuterie, and wine.
When cheese is left out of the fridge for too long, it can develop high levels of histamine, which, when ingested, can cause health issues. Excess histamine consumption can lead to itching, burning, flushing, headaches, breathing difficulties, and even trigger migraines in certain susceptible individuals. This is especially true for long-aged cooked cheeses like Alpine-style cheeses, which are predisposed to higher histamine levels.
Symptoms of histamine poisoning from blue cheese include a peppery taste, generalised erythema and burning, facial swelling, headache, dizziness, fainting, sweating, numbness of the limbs, abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhoea, and, in rare cases, retrosternal tightness and pain, pulmonary oedema, and coronary syndrome. Due to the similarity of symptoms, histamine poisoning from blue cheese is often misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction or food poisoning, and many cases go unrecorded.
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Symptoms of a blue cheese allergy include inflammation, skin rashes, and nausea
Blue cheese is made from milk and contains mould, including penicillium roqueforti, which are two highly allergenic substances. If you are allergic to blue cheese, you may experience inflammation, skin rashes, and nausea, among other symptoms.
Inflammation from a food allergy is the result of histamine produced in soft tissue. When you eat something that you are allergic to, your immune system releases immunoglobulin E antibodies that attack the substance. If you are allergic to milk or mould, your immune system mistakes the proteins in these ingredients as dangerous and attempts to fight off the proteins with the IgE antibodies. IgE antibodies trigger mast cells to produce histamine, which leads to inflammation.
If you experience any inflammation after eating blue cheese, you should make an appointment with your doctor, as you may have an allergy to one or more of its ingredients. Your doctor may recommend allergy testing to determine the cause of the inflammation.
Other symptoms of a blue cheese allergy include skin rashes and nausea. These symptoms are common signs of a milk allergy. Consuming even a small amount of milk can cause an allergic reaction, triggering skin rashes and nausea, among other symptoms. If you have a known milk allergy, you should avoid all dairy products, including blue cheese.
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If you suspect a blue cheese allergy, consult a doctor for allergy testing
If you suspect a blue cheese allergy, it is important to consult a doctor for allergy testing. Blue cheese contains two highly allergenic substances: milk and mould. Milk is one of the most common food allergies, and consuming even a small amount can cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of a milk allergy include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. These symptoms typically appear within minutes of ingesting blue cheese.
Mould allergies are also common, and the blue spots in blue cheese are indeed mould. If you have a diagnosed mould allergy, you may experience common mould allergy symptoms after eating blue cheese. Mould allergies usually arise from inhaling airborne spores during spring, summer, and fall. However, ingested mould can cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal system and the skin.
In some cases, blue cheese can cause histamine poisoning, known as Scombrotoxin Poisoning, which resembles an allergic reaction. This can lead to symptoms such as a peppery taste, facial swelling, headache, dizziness, sweating, and abdominal pain.
It is worth noting that individuals with penicillin allergies can generally safely consume blue cheese, as long as the cheese is fresh and has not been spoiled. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology states that the Penicillium cultures in blue cheese do not produce penicillin. However, some people with penicillin allergies have reported reactions to blue cheese.
If you suspect an allergy to blue cheese, it is best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and testing. They may recommend allergy testing to determine the specific allergen causing the reaction. This can help you understand your body's triggers and manage your diet accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
Symptoms of a blue cheese allergy can include inflammation anywhere in the body, as well as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, facial swelling, headache, dizziness, fainting, sweating, and numbness of the limbs.
Blue cheese contains two highly allergenic substances: milk and mold. If you have a known milk allergy, you should avoid all dairy products, including blue cheese. Similarly, if you have a mold allergy, you may experience allergic reactions from ingesting blue cheese.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Penicillium cultures that create blue cheese do not produce penicillin. As such, it is generally safe for people with penicillin allergies to eat blue cheese, as long as the cheese has not spoiled.
