Do you also have trouble eating mustard? Let's learn exactly about mustard allergy!

Have you ever felt something strange or uncomfortable after eating a dish with mustard? It could be a mustard allergy. In Sri Lanka, we also use mustard to flavor our food. Therefore, it is very important to know a little about this.

What is Mustard Allergy?

Simply put, a mustard allergy is a food allergy . What happens when you eat a food that contains mustard is that your body's immune system suddenly goes into overdrive. That is, the immune system thinks that mustard is an enemy, so it starts fighting against it. Although this is a rare allergy, it is considered one of the most common types of spice allergies. It can affect both children and adults.

What does mustard mean?

Mustard belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This is the same family as vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. However, even if you have a mustard allergy, it is okay to eat this vegetable. However, its seeds are not good to eat.

When cooking, we use whole mustard seeds to marinate, roast, and pickle meat and fish. We make the table mustard paste (the kind we eat with hot dogs) from ground, broken, and whole mustard seeds. The kind we eat with hot dogs. We also add mustard powder to soups, sauces, and salad dressings. Some people also like to eat the leaves of the mustard plant, or mustard greens, because of their spicy flavor. In Sri Lanka, we cannot do without mustard seeds for tempura.

What are Food Allergies?

A food allergy is when your body's immune system mistakenly identifies certain foods as "dangerous." The body's white blood cells then start making proteins called antibodies to protect the body from these "enemies." This response causes an allergic reaction to the mistakenly identified substance (allergen).

Although mustard allergy is not as well-known as other well-known allergies such as peanut allergies or milk allergies, those who have it can experience severe, sometimes life-threatening reactions .

How common is mustard allergy?

In countries like America, only 16 million adults and 4 million children are said to have food allergies. But it is not known exactly how many people have mustard allergies. Some people do not even recognize it as a mustard allergy until they have minor symptoms. In countries like France, mustard is a very popular food, so it is said that this allergy is seen more often there. Since mustard is also used in Sri Lanka, it is good for us to be aware of this.

Why does this mustard allergy occur?

Mustard is actually not harmful. But if you have a mustard allergy, your immune system reacts differently. It mistakenly thinks that some of the proteins in mustard are dangerous and sends antibodies to destroy these harmless invaders. This overreaction is what causes allergic reactions. Experts still don’t know exactly why some people develop mustard allergies and other food allergies.

Who is more likely to develop this?

You are at higher risk of developing a food allergy if you have any of the following:

• Allergic rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever)
• Asthma​
• Eczema ( a skin disease like eczema )

It's not that everyone with these will develop a mustard allergy, but the risk is relatively high.

What are the symptoms?

People with mustard allergies may not experience severe symptoms if they eat a small amount of mustard. This is why some people don't even know they have a mustard allergy.

Symptoms of a mustard allergy may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Hives or skin rash
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swollen lips, tongue or face
• Throat inflammation and difficulty swallowing
• Wheezing or shortness of breath

Important: If one or more of these symptoms appear shortly after eating something containing mustard, be careful.

What dangerous conditions can this cause? Let's learn about (Anaphylaxis)

A person with a severe mustard allergy is at risk of developing a dangerous condition called anaphylaxis . This is a sudden and severe reaction by the immune system. Some people go into anaphylactic shock , which causes a dangerous drop in blood pressure and swelling of the throat.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. People with severe mustard allergies should carry an epinephrine auto-injector with them at all times. Use it if you accidentally eat food containing mustard. This can be a lifesaver.

How do you recognize this? / How do doctors detect this?

To diagnose and treat this condition, you will need to see an allergist (immunologist) . These doctors treat all types of allergies. They also specialize in immune system disorders and autoimmune diseases.

A doctor may suspect a mustard allergy based on whether anyone in your family has such allergies, your medical history, and your symptoms.

In addition, you can also do allergy testing like this:

• Skin prick (scratch) test: In this test, a doctor pricks your skin with a thin needle and places a small amount of various allergens just below the top layer of your skin (epidermis). If you are allergic to a substance, you may experience itching, hives, or other reactions at that site.
• Blood test: A blood test for allergies measures the level of antibodies in your blood. If the antibody level is high, it indicates that you may have a food allergy. However, these tests can give false positive results more than half the time. This means that the test can show that you have an allergy even if you don't actually have it.
• Oral food challenge: Very rarely, a doctor may give you a small amount of mustard. The doctor will record your reaction as you eat small amounts. This test should only be done in a medical facility that has emergency treatment available.

Is there any treatment?

There is no specific treatment or cure for mustard allergy. Over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines can help reduce symptoms such as itching and hives. If you are at risk for anaphylaxis, it is important to keep epinephrine on hand.

How do you survive this? / How do you manage it?

People with mustard allergies should not eat mustard or foods made with mustard. To avoid accidental ingestion of mustard (cross-contamination), prepare your food in a separate area of ​​the kitchen. Or, if you are eating at a restaurant, ask for mustard not to be added.

Can mustard allergy be prevented?

It's not possible to prevent a mustard allergy. But if you have a mustard allergy, you can reduce your risk of being exposed to mustard and having an allergic reaction.

In countries like the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that food labels list everything that is in them. So you should read the ingredients list on food labels carefully to see if mustard is in them. The ingredients of a product can change at any time. So, even if a previously “safe” food does not contain mustard, always read the ingredients list before buying it.

There are laws that require that if a food contains one of the nine major food allergens (like milk and eggs), it must be clearly listed on the label. But because mustard is not one of those nine, warnings like “made with mustard” or “contains mustard” don’t always appear on labels. You can’t always tell whether a food contains mustard by its appearance, taste, or smell.

If you travel to Canada, Europe, or Asia, you will see clear warnings about mustard on food labels. This is because mustard is considered a major food allergen in those regions. If mustard is present in the food in those countries, it must be clearly stated. In Sri Lanka, we need to be a little more careful with labels. Sometimes, even if you just say “condiments,” it may contain mustard.

What foods should you avoid because they contain mustard?

These are the foods most likely to contain mustard or mustard seeds:

• Some baby foods
• Cold-pressed canola oil and rapeseed oil
• Condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce
• Curries – especially those made in foreign styles
• Pickles and pickled foods
• Snacks like pretzels and potato chips
• Processed deli meats and sausages
• Soups and salad dressings

This list is not complete, so always be careful.

When should I see a doctor?

See a doctor if you experience any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face or throat
• Rash or skin rash
• Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting

These could be signs of a dangerous condition like anaphylaxis, so don't delay.

Things to ask the doctor

It's a good idea to ask your doctor these questions:

• Why did I develop a mustard allergy?
• What kinds of foods should I eliminate?
• Am I or my family at risk of developing other food allergies?
• Should my family avoid eating mustard?
• Should I carry epinephrine?

What is Mugwort-Mustard Allergy Syndrome (MMAS)?

Mugwort-Mustard Allergy Syndrome (MMAS) is a rare type of pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) . It is also called oral allergy syndrome . People with MMAS react to both the mugwort plant and mustard.

Some herbal teas, herbal medications, and dietary supplements may contain mugwort. Mugwort pollen grains can also be inhaled when they are released into the air.

MMAS occurs when your immune system thinks that mugwort pollen and mustard proteins are the same. These cross-reacting allergens cause symptoms such as an itchy mouth, a scratchy throat, and swelling of the lips or tongue. Anaphylaxis is very rare with this type of oral allergy syndrome.

You are more likely to develop MMAS if:

• If you are an older child, young child or adult with hay fever.
• If you have allergic reactions to mugwort.
• If you live in an area where mugwort grows (e.g., some states in the United States).

What is the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?

Mustard allergy and mustard intolerance are two different things that can cause this. They affect two different systems in the body:

• Mustard allergy affects your immune system . Symptoms such as difficulty breathing can occur almost immediately after exposure to mustard. Sometimes these symptoms can be life-threatening.
• Mustard intolerance affects your digestive system . This type of food intolerance occurs when your digestive system is unable to properly digest mustard. Symptoms, such as dyspepsia, occur several hours after eating a meal, as the food moves through your digestive tract. Although the symptoms of this intolerance are uncomfortable, they are not life-threatening.

Why do you sweat when you eat mustard?

It's common to sweat after eating spicy foods like mustard. There's even a name for this type of sweating: gustatory syndrome , or Frey's syndrome .

Mustard seeds contain a substance called sinigrin . This is what gives horseradish its pungency. When mustard seeds are crushed or ground, a pungent enzyme called myrosinase is released. When crushed mustard seeds are mixed with cold water, a pungent mustard oil is formed. This pungent mustard oil, which is found in mustard products, increases your body temperature. The body then cools it down by sweating. It is not an allergy.

Things to remember to take home

Okay, so we've talked a lot about mustard allergy. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Mustard allergy is an immune system response. Even a small amount can be severe.
• Symptoms vary: skin rashes, swelling, difficulty breathing, stomach upset, etc.
• Be especially aware of the dangerous condition called anaphylaxis. If there is such a risk, keep epinephrine nearby.
• If you have a mustard allergy, you should definitely avoid mustard and all foods containing mustard. Read food labels carefully.
• If in doubt, definitely see an allergist and get checked out.
• Allergy and intolerance are two different things. Don't confuse the two.

If you or someone you know has experienced something like this, please share this information with them. Stay healthy!