Can You Be Allergic to Weed?
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Symptoms of Being Allergic to Weed
You could be wondering, “am I allergic to weed?” Symptoms of marijuana allergy depend on the type of exposure. If your exposure is by touching, you are likely to have an outbreak of hives, rashes, or angioedema. In rare cases, some people develop hives from smoking weed Angioedema refers to swellings that form beneath the skin due to the accumulation of fluids.
Inhaling weed pollen, crashed weed leaves flowers, and other allergens from weed can cause nasal allergy symptoms, including sneezing and a runny nose. The allergens that affect the nose also cause eye allergy symptoms. Your eyes may turn bloodshot, itch, swell and get watery. If these happen to you, you are allergic to pot.
For a person with asthma, inhaling weed, as mentioned above, may trigger an asthma attack.
There have been some reported cases of an anaphylactic reaction. It is important to note that only people who are allergic to hemp seed suffer from anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis, in this case, therefore, may be referred to as hemp seed allergy.
A person who otherwise doesn’t have an allergic reaction to weed may experience an adverse reaction to weed if they had certain types of food alongside it. These allergies are caused by cross-reactivity between the foods.
Cross-reactivity is not necessarily one of the signs you’re allergic to weed. It comes due to the interaction between proteins and allergens found in weed and the said foods. Some foods which cross-reactions have been reported include hazelnut, tomato, peach, banana, and grapefruit. The resulting allergic reactions are usually severe.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is also categorized as an allergic reaction. In these cases, cannabis allergy is symptomized by persistent cycles of nausea and vomiting in chronic weed smokers. The user’s body develops an intolerance to cannabis.
Risk Factors of a Cannabis Allergy
Weed Allergy Diagnosis
Cannabis marijuana reactions are mostly similar to other allergies. The overlap in symptoms usually makes it difficult to tell whether a reaction is due to marijuana or due to other allergens without the help of a doctor.
Marijuana allergy tests include a skin prick or blood serum test. In the event, none of these tests are available, the doctor can diagnose you based on the history of your exposure to weed and your reactions.
Marijuana Allergy Treatment
Seeking the advice of a doctor concerning treatment is as critical as getting a diagnosis. You would be best served by going to an allergist for treatment. The course of treatment may involve the use of common antihistamines. Besides antihistamines, nasal sprays can help reduce symptoms to the respiratory tract.
In the case of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, the only way out is to stop smoking weed. Symptoms go away when you stop smoking.
Prevention
If your symptoms are severe like anaphylaxis, you may need to find out the food that caused a cross-reaction and avoid using it alongside marijuana. If the cause of the reaction is touching weed, you might need to avoid it.
Conclusion
Although only a small percentage of users experience it, marijuana allergy is real. It is necessary, however, to distinguish between real and false marijuana allergy. If harvested weed is not well stored, it may contain mites, which can cause rashes to anyone who touches them.
Poorly dried weed can also have molds, which can cause respiratory problems when smoked. The key to understanding your marijuana allergy is first ensuring that the pot you use is clean. You can also avoid allergies by using high quality processed marijuana products such as CBD oils, capsules, or gummies for general wellness or management of certain health conditions. There have been few reported cases of allergic reactions to CBD as compared to people feeling itchy after smoking weed and such other symptoms.
Good read if you want to know more about CBD: CBD and Anxiety & Depression
