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Blue cheese is a popular dairy product, but some people are allergic to it. 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 need to avoid blue cheese as it contains Penicillium cultures. However, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Penicillium cultures in blue cheese do not produce penicillin, so it is generally safe for people with penicillin allergies to consume.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common allergens in blue cheese | Milk, mould, penicillin |
| Symptoms of milk allergy | Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness |
| Symptoms of mould allergy | Inflammation in the eyes, throat and sinuses |
| Symptoms of penicillin allergy | Scombrotoxin poisoning, histamine poisoning |
| Safe consumption for people with penicillin allergies | Generally safe, as long as the cheese is not spoiled |
| Safe consumption for people with mould allergies | Generally safe, as the digestive process destroys active mould spores |
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What You'll Learn
- Blue cheese contains milk and mould, two highly allergenic substances
- If you have a milk allergy, you should avoid all dairy products, including blue cheese
- Some blue cheese contains penicillin, which can cause allergic reactions
- Scombrotoxin poisoning from blue cheese can cause symptoms similar to an allergic reaction
- If you have a mould allergy, you can still eat blue cheese as the mould spores are destroyed by the digestive process
Blue cheese contains milk and mould, two highly allergenic substances
Blue cheese is made from milk curdled using mould cultures, specifically, Penicillium cultures. The blue spots found in blue cheese are mould. If you are allergic to milk or mould, you may experience an allergic reaction from consuming blue cheese.
Milk is one of the most common food allergies in both children and adults. Consuming even a small amount of milk can cause an allergic reaction, triggering symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. Most symptoms from 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. Ingesting mould can cause inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal system and the skin.
Some people are concerned about the safety of consuming blue cheese due to the presence of mould cultures. However, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Penicillium cultures used in blue cheese do not produce penicillin. Therefore, it is generally safe for people with penicillin allergies to consume blue cheese, as long as the cheese has not spoiled. Similarly, individuals with mould allergies can safely eat blue cheese, as the digestive process destroys any active mould spores.
However, blue cheese can spoil if left unrefrigerated or stored for several weeks, even if refrigerated. In such cases, the mould can produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins, which can cause short- and long-term health effects.
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If you have a milk allergy, you should avoid all dairy products, including blue cheese
If you have a milk allergy, it is important to avoid all dairy products, including blue cheese. A milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. Cow's milk is the most common cause of milk allergies, but milk from other mammals, such as sheep, goats, and buffalo, can also trigger a reaction.
When a person with a milk allergy consumes milk or milk products, their immune system overreacts to the proteins in the milk. This reaction can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, including stomach problems, itching, rashes, wheezing, vomiting, hives, and digestive issues. In some cases, a milk allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
To prevent a reaction, individuals with a milk allergy must avoid all forms of milk and milk products, including blue cheese. Blue cheese is made from milk, which is the main ingredient, and consuming it can trigger an allergic reaction in those with a milk allergy. Even a small amount of milk in blue cheese can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, and coughing.
It is important to read food labels carefully and look for milk derivatives, such as casein, which may be present in unexpected places like canned tuna, sausage, or non-dairy products. Advisory statements on food labels, such as "processed in a facility that also processed milk" or "made on shared equipment," are voluntary and not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and consider avoiding such products. Additionally, milk can be harder to identify in processed foods, baked goods, and processed meats, so it is important to be vigilant when checking ingredient lists.
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Some blue cheese contains penicillin, which can cause allergic reactions
Blue cheese is made from milk, which is one of the most common food allergies in children and adults. If you have a milk allergy, you should avoid all dairy products, including cheese. 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.
However, blue cheese also contains mould, which can be another highly allergenic substance. The blue spots found in blue cheese are mould, and if you have a mould allergy, you may experience common mould allergy symptoms after eating blue cheese. Mould allergies commonly arise from airborne spores during spring, summer, and autumn. Inhaled mould spores can cause inflammation in the eyes, throat, and sinuses, while ingested mould can cause inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal system and the skin.
Some blue cheeses contain penicillin, which is derived from a type of mould called Penicillium. Penicillin itself is an allergen that can cause abnormal reactions in some people, such as hives, rashes, itching, and even anaphylaxis in some cases. The strain of mould common in most blue cheeses is known as Penicillium roqueforti, and it does not produce penicillin. However, some blue cheeses may use the Penicillium chrysogenum strain, which is a known producer of penicillin.
It is important to note that only 20% of people who believe they are allergic to penicillin actually are. Additionally, the presence of other organisms and factors in blue cheese, such as enzymes and pH changes, may destroy most of the penicillin present. Nevertheless, if you are allergic to penicillin, it is recommended to be thoughtful and careful about consuming blue cheese, as there is still some risk of an allergic reaction.
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Scombrotoxin poisoning from blue cheese can cause symptoms similar to an allergic reaction
Blue cheese is made from milk, which is one of the most common food allergens. If you have a milk allergy, you may experience an allergic reaction to blue cheese. The blue spots in blue cheese are also mould, another common allergen. If you have a mould allergy, you may experience an allergic reaction to blue cheese.
However, it is important to note that an adverse reaction to blue cheese may not always be an allergy. Scombrotoxin poisoning from blue cheese can cause symptoms similar to an allergic reaction. Scombrotoxin poisoning is a type of atypical food poisoning caused by the release of histamine, usually into the flesh of freshly caught fish left at room temperature. However, it can also affect blue cheese that has been left out of the refrigerator.
The symptoms of scombrotoxin poisoning include a peppery taste, facial swelling, headache, dizziness, fainting, sweating, and numbness of the limbs. Less common symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea. These symptoms can closely resemble those of an allergic reaction, and as the diagnosis is based only on the symptoms, scombrotoxin poisoning is often misdiagnosed as an allergy or food poisoning.
If you experience any adverse reactions after consuming blue cheese, it is important to seek medical advice. A doctor may recommend allergy testing to determine the cause of the reaction.
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If you have a mould allergy, you can still eat blue cheese as the mould spores are destroyed by the digestive process
Blue cheese contains two highly allergenic substances: milk and mould. The blue spots found in blue cheese are mould, specifically, moulds within blue cheese are forms of Penicillin, which is a common allergen. In fact, up to 27 million people in North America are allergic to penicillin medication.
However, it is important to note that the allergies caused by moulds in damp or flooding are caused by different moulds, and so it is unlikely that you will be affected by both. Even if you have a mould allergy, the mould spores in blue cheese are destroyed by the digestive process, so you can still eat blue cheese.
If you have a known milk allergy, you need to avoid all dairy products, including blue cheese, as consuming even a small amount of milk can cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of a milk allergy include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.
If you are allergic to penicillin, it is recommended that you proceed with caution when eating blue cheese and consult your allergist to test your reaction to penicillium mould.
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Frequently asked questions
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've been diagnosed with a mold allergy, eating blue cheese can trigger common mold allergic reaction symptoms.
Symptoms of a blue cheese allergy include inflammation anywhere in the body, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, facial swelling, headache, dizziness, fainting, sweating, and numbness of the limbs.
Yes, if you are allergic to blue cheese, you can try other cheeses such as brie, which has a low lactose content.
