Ask ND: Citric acid allergy
Q. I'm very allergic to citric acid. I know that it is in certain fast foods, but I don't see it listed as a nutrient on the analysis page for those foods. Is it called by another name, or am I missing it?
A. Citric acid is a naturally-occurring acid that gives lemons and limes their sour taste. It's found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables. It's also widely used as a food additive, both to contribute a tart flavor and to help preserve foods. The USDA does not include citric acid in its nutrient analyses, so there is no data for ND to report.
Avoiding citric acid is tough because it's so widely used in packaged and prepared foods. Your best bet is to read labels carefully. You also need to know which foods contain citric acid naturally and which prepared foods (such as fast foods) are likely to contain it. You might find Vicky Clarke's Citric Acid Intolerance website useful.
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Posted by: GL | Nov 17, 2009 6:54:34 PM
I really think you are improperly diagnosed. It is next to impossible to be allergic to citric acid as your body naturally produces CITRIC ACID ALL the time during metabolism. This is known as the Krebs cycle or CITRIC ACID CYCLE!
Citric acid is a weak organic acid, and in biochemistry, it is important as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle and therefore occurs in the METABOLISM of virtually ALL living things!
The citric acid cycle begins with acetyl-CoA transferring its two-carbon acetyl group to the four-carbon acceptor compound (oxaloacetate) to form a six-carbon compound (citrate).
The citrate then goes through a series of chemical transformations, losing two carboxyl groups as CO2. The carbons lost as CO2 originate from what was oxaloacetate, not directly from acetyl-CoA. The carbons donated by acetyl-CoA become part of the oxaloacetate carbon backbone after the first turn of the citric acid cycle. Loss of the acetyl-CoA-donated carbons as CO2 requires several turns of the citric acid cycle. However, because of the role of the citric acid cycle in anabolism, they may not be lost since many TCA cycle intermediates are also used as precursors for the biosynthesis of other molecules.[7]
Most of the energy made available by the oxidative steps of the cycle is transferred as energy-rich electrons to NAD+, forming NADH. For each acetyl group that enters the citric acid cycle, three molecules of NADH are produced.
Electrons are also transferred to the electron acceptor Q, forming QH2.
At the end of each cycle, the four-carbon oxaloacetate has been regenerated, and the cycle continues.
Posted by: Misty | Nov 7, 2009 10:05:22 AM
My name is Misty and some time in my 8th year of school I had oysters covered in lemon juice. I have always loved fruits and ate them all of the time, but when I ate these oysters and the juices got on my lower lip and chin I got a bad rash. The rash was not too visible to others, but stung and burned like crazy. I tried chap stick to make the pain go away, and assumed I may be allergic to the oysters, which was weird, because I've eaten them a lot.
After a week the rash went away but the inside roof of my mouth, lips, and chin still hurt so I munched on strawberries all day. That night the rash had come back in full swing.
We went to my doctor, told him what I had been eating and using and he couldn't figure out what was wrong with me and gave me a mouth wash and a cream to put on the outside of my mouth. Both made the pain many times worse and seemed to have made the pain even worse.
I quickly stopped using the medicine and tried to find my own fix, and the cause.
After a few more out breaks I quickly narrowed down the culprit. Citric Acid. Found in tons of food, body products, and found naturally in nearly all fruits. Apples being one of the worst, and Mango's and Kiwi's being just as bad.
I quickly swore myself off of fruits, well, for the most part, but would still have painful out breaks if I ate a grape.
My mother then turned me on to Vaseline.
Which, by the way, is great for diaper rashes, and also helps the mouth rash caused by Citric Acid to disappear within a day or two. (You just have to slather in on the infected area until it's uncomfortable, and go to sleep, by the morning it will be about 90% gone. You should use a pillow case you don't like, so you don't get it anywhere, and if you have a hard time sleeping, take a natural sleep aid, [Melatonin], to help you sleep.)
So in the past couple of years I've gotten use to not being able to eat my favorite fruits, surviving on bananas for the time being. Then I made the mistake of eating a pomegranate. I broke out again and was using the small thing of Carmax, (the one with the yellow lid. It's all metal.) and my mouth just feeling worse and worse. Finally, after hours of pain I looked at the Carmax and found Citric Acid as one of the first things on the list of ingredients.
So now I have another problem, when I get cold sores, I can't use anything to help me. Though I discovered later that the squeeze tube of Carmax does not contain Citric Acid.
Either way, the other night I took a shower. I've just moved in with my boyfriend's family due to personal problems with my family and was using their body wash. Some coconut body wash stuff, I got a rash on my ear. Not in the canal, but on the outer part. The rash started spreading down my face and neck and I was looking all over the web for an answer, but to my dismay I remember Citric Acid.
Sure enough Citric Acid is on the list, so now I have a rash all over the right side of my face. I'll be getting Vaseline soon to help me rid of it, but for now I'm in some pretty bad pain.
For anyone who gets these rashes you should definitely try Vaseline the next time it happens.
Like I stated above, take a natural sleep aid such as Melatonin and and give yourself a real thick coat. I mean slather it on there until you can't anymore and go to sleep.
When you wake up, I guarantee it will be at least 50% better, but for me, it's normally damn near gone.
Good luck to the rest of you.
Posted by: Sam | Oct 10, 2009 10:01:14 AM
I have been getting relief by taking a product called Prelief whenever I ingest acidy food or drink. Prelief ingredients are Calcium glycerophosphate & magnesium stearate. I began getting soreness and rash-like symptoms in (only) my mouth several years ago and it has escalated steadily. I have increased the dosage of Prelief along with it. Hope this helps.
Posted by: Tommy | Sep 11, 2009 5:07:29 PM
Seems I've alway had a small break-out in my mouth from eating mango's or other citric fruit but 2 months ago I drunk two classes of Pomegranate juice. What a mistake that was!! First my tongue became red hot..then the roof of my mouth, the sides of my tongue and under my tongue. The back of my throat and its been two months. I feel like crap! My first trip to the Doctor was usless. He told me to rinse with cold water with two spoons of baking soda mixed in. I did that for a week and a half. Had a pizza with my family and guess what. Big break out again! the tomato sauce cause it to break out once again. Well, my mother told me to have my doctor give me BENADRYL:MAALOX:CARAFATE. Its been two days and I have noticed improvement. I swish a table spoon around in my mouth 3 times a day. I hope this helps somebody out there with the same kind of problem as I have. Bless you and good luck. Tom
Posted by: Diane | Sep 10, 2009 5:36:39 AM
Hi all, I have a citric acid allergy or intolerance, when I consume it, I get tight tense muscle pain, swelling of lips, tissues, itchy burning skin, asthma, joint pain, itchy eyes, rashes or hives, I have worked out food acid numbers in packaged products need to be avoided, 330 331 ( are citric). which cuts out a lot. anything fizzy, lemon, orange, cranberry , a lot of pills antibiotics contain citric acid, lotions, shampoos, moisturisors,etc, this allergy really stinks :-(, I have also cashew rice, tomato, potato, dog cat horse, dust mite,. My daughter age 2 also gets reactions to citric dairy and egg.It may help some of you to know that I found a mineral from a naturopath that is alkaline, it takes the acid down in the body,it helps the bowel to move, and is full of minerals, it really does work. its called ''mineral max'' from new zealand herbals, made by naturopath Dr Michael Mc Cammon. look up his website www.nzherbals.co.nz
Posted by: OhZone | Aug 13, 2009 4:13:02 PM
I too have very bad reactions to Citric Acid, as well as MSG.
For us we are now on a starvation diet. In the fall of 2008 the FDA approved the use of Citric Acid in the processing of meat. It is now impossible to buy meat, even organic, that has not been soaked in Citric Acid. And I do mean soaked, as this stuff goes all the way to the bone. And you can taste it!!
It is very bitter. You may mentally filter this info, but when you find yourself having the usual C.A. reation, please take note of the meat you ate. If you use salt or a sauce it will be disguised.
Posted by: lakshmi | Aug 12, 2009 10:26:25 AM
Iam glad to have found this site.I am
suffering from citric acid allergy.
when i had citic acid food iam getting severe reaction in my stomach
iam getting alergy in scalp also.i love fruits but i couldn't have fruits.every day i had vegetable juice in my breakfast.whenever i had even one glass of fruit juice i was getting stomach pain,lot of gas producing,motions also.iam not getting any problem with non citric acid fruits like banana.can u suggest what are the fruits suited for me.let me know what are non citric acid fruits.can u suggest about my diet.thanks for any help
Posted by: help | Aug 3, 2009 3:01:51 AM
dove shampoos are no longer okay. i have found one type of dove conditioner, but am now forced to use suave for kids shampoos such as "fairy berry strawberry" as it is the only kind in the whole aisle that does not contain citric acid. happy hunting.
Posted by: crystal | Jul 24, 2009 10:43:16 AM
my daughter is 19 months and when she eats pizza or wendys sweat and sour dipping sauce she gets a rash where ever the food touches and the onkly thing they have incommon is citric acid and soybean oil can anyone help me
Posted by: Katharine | Jul 23, 2009 5:36:26 AM
My daughter of 8yrs has had excema eversince she was born. We have never really worked out the cause. The last week she has had a severe rash on her legs which the doctors have said is an allergic reaction to something. I Thought maybe her nappies were to blame. I contacted the company and they say that their nappies are treated with Citric acid. She also gets a tingly toung when she eats pineapple. Bingo! My thoughts are that they are all connected. We are going to ask for a referal to the allergy clinic. Watch this space......
Posted by: ashley jones | Jul 19, 2009 8:23:36 PM
I have a 5 year old who keeps breaking out in these redish purple welts all over her body. Is this a symptom of being allergic to citric acid???
Posted by: De | Jun 8, 2009 3:55:25 AM
I have had problems with citric acid all my life but thought that it was just stomach problems (because I only recognized my stomach ache as something that people complained about, so I knew it must not be normal). I get real hot (as if I’m having a hot flash), headaches or migraines, my mouth hurts and I noticed, after realizing that none of the ways I was reacting to it was normal, that my tongue and lips swell (Angelina Jolie big), I feel full very quickly, my stomach hurts, and I felt nauseous. After cutting it mostly out of my diet, when I do let myself slip up in a medium to big way, I react worse to it. I vomit much sooner, my whole body hurts, and I’m basically bed ridden from several hours to all day.
So I try to cut out foods with citric acid. I admit, I’m real bad about giving in. I decided to try things with 2% or less. My tongue and lips still swell and I still get hot flashes and a stomach ache, but it doesn’t seem as bad with the small amount.
Anyway, I had never before had a urinary tract infection or pain when I urinated and had to go very often and eventually had pain in between urinating, but I had heard people talk about it. I started having problems with it over a week ago and was trying to drink lots of cranberry juice and stuff to see if it would help. Some days it didn’t seem as bad. Then today I woke up at my normal time (I had been waking up very often during the night to urinate), my bladder didn’t hurt or feel like it would burst and it didn’t burn when I urinated. I had been up until two a.m. that morning because of it and had the worst pain yet, then, only a few hours later, it suddenly wasn’t bothering me at all. This baffled me, but I was grateful. Then I had three crunchy tacos from taco bell (which probably have citric acid – and I haven’t had in ages) and a handful of Mike and Ikes (which have less than 2% citric acid). Not long after that I started having the problem again. Could it be a new way of my body reacting to the citric acid? Again, I had never ever had this problem before in my life until recently.
Also, I had seen someone ask about drinks with out citric acid. Here is a list of what I could think of. I hope you’re still going on here to see it and I hope it helps others.
Coke
Jone’s Cream Soda
Simply Apple (and some other cheaper brands of apple juice)
I have found a brand of Cranberry juice that is citric acid free (can’t remember what it is exactly)
Dr. Pepper
Earl Grey Tea
There are other types of tea, but I can’t remember what brands they are or what types they are.
Sam’s Club Root beer (I think…there is at least one brand, not sure of any others because I only drink it when I need something other than water and it’s around)
Blueberry Pomegranate V8 Splash
I rarely have the caffeinated drinks because caffeine makes me feel horrid, but it was a great relief to find these.
Oh, and keep in mind that a lot of types of deodorant have citric acid. I’ve found that most types of Dove and some Mitchum (I think that’s what it’s called) don’t have it. The same is true, as has been said, about Dove shampoo and body wash. Be sure to look just in case though. I have found that some of their deodorant has it, but I don’t remember if I couldn’t use any of their shampoo or conditioner. I haven’t found any anti-bacterial body wash or hand soap, but there is Dove hand soap without it (to reiterate, it isn’t anti-bacterial).
Also, do any of you also have an allergy to spider web? I haven’t been able to find anything about it besides that at least one other person in the world has the same reaction. I thought that I would see if perhaps they could be connected. I doubt it, but ya never know. Perhaps there is citric acid in spider webs. At least some of the spiders that take their webs down eat them. Still, I doubt it…but there are weirder things out there.
Posted by: Jo | Jun 7, 2009 6:51:35 PM
I have read all the comments, and there are only a few that have mentioned mouth issues. I discovered after taking calcium citrate ( supposed to be better than calcium carbonate for bone density) that I had an extreme dryness issue, all the way from my eyes to "female issues". I stopped the calcium citrate, and have since discovered how long the list is of foods that contain citric acid! I have been having problems with deep pockets around my gums, and what appears to be blisters on my tongue now for 6 months, and have determined that it must also be connected with citric acid!
Posted by: Kimberly | May 28, 2009 1:22:07 AM
Nancy!This is almost verbatim as to how I discovered my citric acid intolerance/allergy. I am 44. I discovered the culprit on my own. After reading up on these posts I am willing to try B vitamins and L-lysine. The doctor here posted that the problem lies in the liver-an inability to detoxify.
I wouldn't know how to permanently repair that.
Anyway, my symptoms are fuzzy thinking, at least with slurred speech right on up to migraine so sickening it feels like death is imminent if indeed one could die from head pain.
I wish everyone here well. I know what its like to cook everything I eat and be scared to dine out for fear of the pain that will follow.
Posted by: Shalet | May 20, 2009 9:53:26 AM
I am allergic to citric acid, fruits and any medicines that contain citric acid. Right now i have checked my blood for Vitamin D and i have the reading as 7.60 (Normal ref. range 20-70ng/ml) which shows severe deficiency.
Kindly advice what i should do.
Posted by: Sriram | May 18, 2009 4:35:36 AM
Citric acid allergy and citric acid intolerance are two different things. Allergy is caused by auto-immune disorder and intolerance is caused by lack of a type of enzyme. I have citric acid allergy so I suffer from sneezing and runny nose when I eat citrus fruits and vegetables but no IBS.
Posted by: Laurie | Apr 24, 2009 2:54:31 PM
Also some medicines in liquid form have the citric acid as a prserative. they use this becuase 99.9 pct of people have no side effects. If you take benadryl in pill form you may find it has no such attative. I know this becuase I got hives from a anit-biotic and found out the liquid form has critic acid
Posted by: Laurie | Apr 24, 2009 2:39:17 PM
Had this checked when I read ti somewhere above. The epi pen does not contain citric acid as an active ingredient
Posted by: Laurie | Apr 23, 2009 3:51:12 PM
also to note. I was told that if you make your own tomato sauce from scratch you are fine, that tomoatos do not have citric acid in them. its only bottled or canned tomatos that have it and most do but not all.
Posted by: Laurie | Apr 23, 2009 3:47:36 PM
I am 46 years old and have just developed this allergy. Its a tough one but better than the hives and swelling of the throat. Most sodas have citric acid but I just wanted to inform you that ascorbic ascid or assorbate is also another nace for citric acid, so dont thisnk the product is ok if it has one of these ingredients. Also I was taking an antibiotic and started to get hives allove and they thought it was the medicine. I call the Pharmacy and nothing. I looked up the active ingredients on line and found citric acid as the main perservative in it so be careful, even the doctors don't check for this. I just have found you have to check everything. I used lemons in everything and ate greatfruits by the dozens. Sometimes I think I bought this on myslef. Also I read somewhere that stress can bring on a citric acid intorerance that is not an actual allergy..
Its a shame there is not more know about this..its a hard one and I woudl take gulten over it any day
Posted by: Citric Acid / Citrus Sufferer as well | Apr 21, 2009 9:32:36 AM
I am so glad to see that others suffer from eating or breathing in of citric acid or foods or products that contain it. i thought I was alone. However, I also break out in blotches on my face and get a migraine and my lips swell up (angioedema). Does anyone else experience this?
Posted by: Betsy | Apr 20, 2009 10:10:15 AM
Wonderful blog that gives me hope for our daughter. Like Kate who posted on 5/23/08, our daughter gets migraines within 30 minutes of ingestion of ONLY citric acid as a PRESERVATIVE. Fresh citric carries no ill effects for her.
Posted by: RT | Apr 13, 2009 1:16:24 PM
I had severe problems with frequent urination. Sometimes after eating at certain restaurants or eating certain foods I would get up 5 or 6 times at night. Eventually I started taking Flomax. After two years of trial and error I tried cutting out Citric Acid products such as soft drinks, and cranberries. I identified Citric Acid and Ascorbic Acid as the culprit. After cutting out these foods, along with potassium nitrate, (sensitive toothpaste) the problem stopped. A couple of weeks ago, on a hot day, I drink a lot of grape juice. The old symptoms temporarily (bladder pain and frequent need to urinate) returned. I checked the label on the grape juice bottle and, guess what, I found ascorbic acid as the second ingredient.
Posted by: David | Apr 12, 2009 9:36:38 PM
When I eat or drink anything with citric acid I break out from head to toe with hives. The range from pea size to patches six to 7 inches in diameter raised to the point the look like whelps.
I'm 29 years old and this started when I was 12 years old.
Posted by: Robert | Apr 10, 2009 10:26:44 AM
I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS BLOG!!!! I have suffered my entire life from citric acid allergies; especially tomotatos, orange, and pineapple. I have been using topical product from www.paulaschoice.com they are fragrance free and CHEAP. She wrote the book "Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me". She makes all products for men and women. My face and scalp always get dermatitis and flaking, respectively.
Posted by: Carolyn | Mar 30, 2009 8:54:34 PM
Ooops, excuse me please...
...I made 2 mistakes in the product names in my last message:
ThermaSILK was the name of the shampoo (not Thermacare) without citric acid
(and)
All Free-CLEAR is the name of the laundry detergent that is easy on the skin (not All Free).
Sorry.
Posted by: Carolyn | Mar 28, 2009 10:37:49 PM
Thank you all for validating my suspicions about citrus allergy!
I've had itchy chest and back for decades now. In the past, I thought it was just contact-dermatitus and have only used unscented Dove soap in the shower and, until recently, Ivory Detergent to wash my laundry (Ivory got so expensive at 55 cents per load, that I switched to ALL FREE liquid which works even better and is much cheaper). This all helped the itchiness somewhat, but it never went away. Then about 7 years ago, I drank a glass of straight 'Bloody Mary Mix' (which is basically tomato juice with seasonings) and it tasted so good I had a 2nd glass. Talk about an outbreak! So now I'm off tomatoes (except occasionally) and realized that I must be allergic to citrus. I've tested the theory and found that I can only handle small, infrequent doses without an itchy outbreak. However, I AM prone to severe sinus headaches! Hmmm....
At that time of my discovery, looked at my shampoo and saw that it contained citric acid and could be causing my chest & back 'itchy bumps'. At the store, well you know the story, no shampoos w/out citric acid. I found that Thermacare shampoo didn't contain it and used it for many years.
Then, you guessed again, 'they' announced that they were going to stop making Thermacare! So I bought @ 20 bottles of the stuff and now my supply is getting low.
That's how I found your blog -- I was searching Google for "Shampoo" "no citric acid".
This topical routine has MANAGED my 'itchy bumps', but i can still SEE them when I step out of the shower. I've looked into ointments & lotions to put on these red spots and hadn't found anything that worked (calmed, rather than irritated them) and finally found that GOLD BOND ULTIMATE HEALING with ALOE seems to do the trick if I have a flair-up.
Thank you sooo much, Cindi, for posting the FDA list of PH foods. I've printed a copy that I will keep in the kitchen. Perhaps, my debilitating sinus headaches will finally go away if I pay more attention to labels and my citrus intake!
Well, I've only read about 1/2 of your posts (I've read up to Nov. 1, 2008) and have copied down some of your suggestions. Can't wait to start trying some of this stuff! Thanks again!!!
Posted by: Jenrose | Mar 15, 2009 2:24:45 AM
My younger daughter has a chromosome deletion and does not tolerate citrates or citric acid, period. Tiny amounts in non-citrus fruit don't seem to cause her problems, but it does affect her in creams, or foods where it is a listed ingredient, also tomatoes, etc.
I don't consider it an allergy. It's pretty clear that it's a failure to use the excess the way most people do, because of a flaw in the proportions of the things that help her mitochondrial processes.
I do think that CoQ10 and R-lipoic acid help reduce the effects, plus help her energy dramatically.
Posted by: Mark | Mar 12, 2009 5:23:10 AM
When I was about 4 I spent a week in an allergy hospital in 1977 (in Helsinki, Finland) and was diagnosed with mild intolerance to citrus fruits. I do not know if there is a correlation between the fact that mothers were encouraged back then to feed oranges to babies (my mother fed me orange juice at 3 months) and my citrus fruit intolerance. I used to get rashes all over my body, also from milk products and tomatoes.
However, in 1978 my family moved to Spain, to the Canary Islands, where the climate is very humid. All my allergies disappeared, I could eat oranges, mandarines, tomatoes, no problem whatsoever. I believe the climate had something to do with it, but also the produce was "cleaner" since it did not have to be stored long for transportation, thus preservatives and such need not be added as much.
In the early 90's I moved back to Finland and little by little all allergies have started again. The climate is very dry, especially now in winter time and fresh fruit has to be transported long distances. At first it was the citrus fruits, and an allergy to birch pollen emerged. Then 2 years ago I suddenly, (LITERALLY OVERNIGHT, one day no problem with tomatoes, etc, the next serious rashes) became intolerant of red peppers, chili, citric acid, almost all berries, tomatoes... the list is long as you all know. Now I wonder if the last "trigger" was the stress I had at the time, with my wife being ill and problems with my business... those luckily over now, but the intolerance remains and I fear it is only getting worse. Now I think the trigger is the anxiety of having the intolerance to citric acid, which is everywhere. I get the small water boils on my hands, and eczema all over, mainly on my arms, also some bowel problems have started to appear. I am experimenting with a non-yeast diet and increasing my prebiotic intake, which has decreased some symptoms, especially in the bowel area.
I am 36 now and our daughter will be born this summer, which frightens me, because I am certain that she will have the same problems that I have. Maybe moving to Spain would be a good idea!
Posted by: tucker | Mar 10, 2009 5:40:45 PM
as i read through the posts i have only found one person to mention getting painful boils from citric acid. it is my main symtom. eating pasta sauce or orange juice seems to really effect me, as depending on how much i consume.i also cant eat any dairy, nuts, or even soy. the dr gave me creon and i find i can have a little of pizza. its getting to the point where i am so frustrated i just eat and then pay the price. my question is does any body get boils or painful zits from these foods. i am a 35 white male irish italian desent.
Posted by: victoria | Feb 27, 2009 9:59:50 PM
I have an intolerance as well. When I smell things like oranges, my face starts to feel itchy. If I consume anything with citric acid, the skin around my mouth will become red and irritated and painful. Also, my hands feel as if they have small, abnormal bumps underneath them.
Do anyone have these problems?
Posted by: ASH | Feb 26, 2009 9:38:34 AM
to the woman with 9 y/o boy with autism , lemons I have found produce an alkaline residue, as is what's odd about them , some foods are acidic in base form , but leave an alkaline residue in your body once eating them , so be careful just looking at alkaline and acidic content of foods, the residue left in the body I have found is a major factor, it's also called acid or alkaline ash if googled, or look up acid producing foods, or alkaline producing foods , and be careful because there are a lot of sites , and all don't have the same info , most foods produce an acidic residue , from what I've found , try this site for me
Posted by: Lori | Feb 24, 2009 6:17:16 PM
Sonia - I'm surprised you can use an epipen as it also contains citric acid. So does Benadryl.
-------
Most citric acid here in canada is from oranges or lemons. At least thats what many companies have told me.
I have no issues with corn, or fresh tomatoes (fresh as in from my garden).
I have issues with store bought "fresh" tomatoes because they are sprayed with a citric acid bath. washing them isn't enough as it's absorbed into the tomato (or any other fresh fruits and veggies)
I have posted my results from my first visit to the allergist/internal specialist that I saw recently. I posted this in the citric acid allergy facebook group.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=44167743722
This new doc will follow-op frequently.
Posted by: gopal gupta | Feb 23, 2009 2:53:27 PM
dear sir/madem
when i eat this sour food candy, tamarinds Citrus fruit, pickle, after taking these food in my body more pain in hand and feet and whole body, what is the reason, can u help me
Posted by: Sonia | Feb 18, 2009 10:35:25 PM
wow this information is fantastic. I have an anaphylactic reaction to citric acid and also the racing heart and skipping beats. I cannot eat raw tomatoes, oranges etc. It is very difficult to find foods that does not have citric acid. My reaction is so severe that I have benadryl and an epipen with me always. Please continue with the information everyone is providing this is a huge help.
Posted by: sydney151 | Feb 11, 2009 12:09:59 PM
Most naturaly derived citric acid in food in the US will come from corn. Since most corn is GMO the citric acid is probably GMO also, even in food claimingto be organic.
Posted by: shruti | Feb 2, 2009 11:02:20 PM
The combination of sweet & sour any amount is definately the cause of my headaches and three other female members in my family. Casing tightness, sluring speech,groggy head, aches in the muscles around shoulder and neck leading to bad lingering headaches. Also tiredness throughout, it has taken me a long while to get on top of this, docs have no idea about allergies. Had to see a naturapath.
Posted by: Jenn | Feb 2, 2009 6:48:42 PM
Interesting blog! My 9yo autistic son had a 96 food sensitivity test ran in December to which he had VERY high level reactivity to both oranges AND grapefruit and low level reactivity to lemons.
I've noticed he gets red, splotchy marks all over his face whilst eating; and the only pattern I'm finding is it's mostly with foods containing citric acid (though, he also does this with foods such as fries, potatoes, etc....).
His face got red earlier when I wiped his face with a wipe, containing, you guessed it, CITRIC ACID.
Does this sound like a citric acid issue or is it something else entirely? My son is already on a gluten, casein, peanut and citrus free diet. We're in the process of eliminating soy as well as soon as we get rid of the foods we have that contain soy.
He sees his autism specialist next week and I plan to bring this up with him then, but am wondering if this red face is contributed to the citric acid or something else entirely. He's autistic, so he's not easy to get answers from.
Thanks all!
Posted by: Larry | Feb 2, 2009 5:32:02 PM
These places have blogs and places to ask questions to get ideas.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/default.aspx
http://www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/OurServices/EndocrinologyandDiabetes/default
Posted by: Larry | Feb 2, 2009 5:09:40 PM
Lori my mito condition has caused other food and med allergies too. The mito conditions can cause a secondary autonomic issue called POTS. That can be stablized with salt and magnesium. The test for it is a special tilt table blood and heart rate and pressure test. The POTS can cause bad headaches dizziness and balance issues. Bad blood flow to your organs and bad sodium absorbing can cause many bad extra symptoms. Have your doctor's check your pressure laying down then siting then standing one after the other. If your heart rate jumps faster and faster as you get to your feet and it lasts for a coule of minutes you may have POTS. Only a tilt table test can confirm it for sure.
Posted by: Lori | Feb 2, 2009 1:42:43 AM
Larry - thanks for the info. I am further researching. I knew about the citric acid cycle. I tried to explain it to a specialist who said "i never heard of such things. therefore it must be wrong"
argh.
I do not have a doctor who listens. we have a major shortage of docs in the area. I took the first one taking patients. I wish I hadn't. total nutbar.
but I have been trying to see walk-in clinic doctors to get further. I do have an appt on feb 9 with an allergist/internal specialist. I had to fight for the appt. the doc there said her field was basic and she never had a patient with my issues before, so she didnt know what to do. She told me I was wasting her time. grrr.
but she must have felt guilty because I did get called for the referral.
one week to go!
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I have more health issues beyond citric acid issues.
now this has been extremely hard for me.
We shall see. Right now, the only foods I can eat without reacting are plain potato chips, frozen strawberries, white bread, and one brand of margarine. that's it for foods.
Anything protein has very adverse effects on me. (all since my gall bladder was removed). thats anything - meat, nuts, seeds, beans etc.
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so i am not getting proper nutrition and I can't see any possible way to get it with only those foods. And I am feeling it. Stupid docs!
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Anti-histamines contain citric acid. 90% of meds contain it. all antibiotics contain it. epinephrine contains it
I had major issues with anti-histamines long before I discovered my citrus problem.
severely racing heart - was told it's an electrical issue.
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I was told one of the valves in my heart doesn't open and close properly. laymans term - floppy valce. this has affected me since I was little.
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I have essential tremors. This appeared in 2003. no family history.
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there's more. but i'm beginning to think it's all related.
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organic foods are unsafe. i talked to the companies. they say this time of year they do spray with a citric acid bath to promote longer shelf life. but they call it natural because it is. citric acid is a natural occuring thing. so they get away with it.
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I am forever looking for a new food. I read the ingredients, i call the company. then i eat. so when eating, i do believe it's safe because the company said they thoroughly checked.
and I always read. each time. i do know ingredients change often.
and i hate when a company lies. especially when i tell them to check for cross-contamination too. that even the tiniest amount is a problem for me.
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symptoms - if I eat even the slightest amount. or if the food even touch citric acid.
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first symptoms are bumps and itchy or sore spots in my mouth, then my whole body starts popping up with little itchy bumps, then my eyes get itchy and watery, my nose starts to run, my breathing gets very laboured, then i get extremely weak, and then I pass out. pass out times range from 15 minutes to a few hours. then the next few days afterwards, I feel really yukky - weak, dizzy, tired. and still itchy.
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if i eat something that causes my own body to produce lots of citric acid (like pickles or other vinegar products) - i get a very bad rash. the last one lasted for 2 months. the bumps just kept popping up and the itch was unbearable. i saw several docs about that but all were stumped. nothing helped it either.
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now cutting all this food out causes its own problems too. no nutrition means lots of things go wrong.
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now my protein issues - im told if you get your gall bladder out, your personal citric acid cycle helps break down your foods. But if you have problems with citric acid, you have nothing to do that. usually the citric acid cycle and the gall bladder work together. but lose the gall bladder and have citric acid allergies - well things go wrong fast.
my surgeon was stumped. the only med to help has an orange base.
so anything protein goes in and goes out. sometimes before I finished my meal. and (sorry this is gross but) sometimes it comes out the same as it went in. like no colour change. yeh weird.
so buying a steak is pointless, it just goes right through. its like tossing a t-bone into the toilet. ugh.
but the worst part is, as soon as i eat anything protein, i get severe pains in my spine. it's not gas pains. This is from any animal product or other proteins. meat, milk, fish, poultry, nuts, beans and so on.
but a few other foods do it too.
rice gives me both issues - the allergy and the pain. and instant loss of it. some breads get me with both.
I am also severely allergic to all shellfish.
in the summertime i had my own garden. i could eat my own carrots and peas, but they went through me so fast. my own tomatoes were ok but also went through me.
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so - one type of food attacks me one way, and another gets me another way. thats why i am down to so little.
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citrus gets me on contact too. touch a lemon and instant hand rash.
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I was reading that page, Larry, and a lot of it doesn't seem to fit my issues. But it is something for the doctor to look at, or to give him new ideas to follow.
And it's ideas I need. I don't know who to see or where to go to get this fixed.
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Also, tho i didn't figure most of this out until the last few years, when I think back, I realize that I must have been allergic to oranges since I was a teen.
I remember ending up in the hospital after stepping onto the school bus, feeling dizzy, vision disappearing, hearing going, and I remember I was going to black out. And I did. I woke in the hospital.
back then, docs had no clue.they blamed all sorts of things. they even did drug testing. (i didnt do them) but I was a teenager so they had to see for themselves.
And that morning before school I had eaten a grapefruit and had a big glass of orange juice.
other times over the years, same thing.. blacking out, ending up in the hospital. docs blamed many things but not an allergy. one thought asthma and gave me an inhaler. and told me to drink lots of orange juice. yeh guess what, back in the hospital.
docs were stumped why i couldn't breathe but my lungs sounded clear.
and I had the glucose test too. lots of citric acid in it. I has the 6 hour test. so i was monitored, and when i passed out, they said it was a sugar issue. I started taking my blood sugar after that, and watching every thing i ate. starting fresh. one food at a time, and thats when i discovered citrus was the culprit to my passing out.
so i avoided citrus fruits. but then things got worse and worse and i couldnt figure out it. then i realized citric acid was doing it.
my allergy just kept getting worse and worse. and it sucks that the world loves citric acid in every little thing. it's a miracle thing for most people.. does all sorts of things, but it's bad if you are allergic to it.
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thanks for the info Larry.
boy was I long winded. rofl
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Posted by: Larry | Feb 1, 2009 1:24:54 PM
One thing I have also discovered is that eating organic foods like from stores like whole foods in the times proceeding a bad reaction made my symptoms clear up quicker. Common market non-organic foods have been engineered since the 1970's to make them more easly picked and stored. In some cases some people are intollerant to the modified food and not to the natural version. I'm extremly intollerant to both kinds now but some are not so I mention it. Ask you doctor about it.
Posted by: Larry | Feb 1, 2009 1:11:42 PM
When you say your allergic to citric acid the word allergic implies you are have a Histamine reaction. That is like having a rag weed reaction. Drugs for alergies are only helpful if by testing carefully you find its histamine your body is releasing. If you are intollerant your body is unable to process the citric acid. The citric acid poisons your body causing the rash, breathing or other symptoms.The treatment is different depending on which it is allergy or intollerance.For example if say your having breathing problems and it is a histamine reaction an anti-hitamine will make you feel better but if it is an intollerance caused by not processing the citric correctly an inhailer used for something like azma will open you breathing passages making you feel better. You really need to find out which it is a post the information on your medical records.
This is the defintion of Histamine:
Histamine is an important protein involved in many allergic reactions. Allergies are caused by an immune response to a normally innocuous substance (i.e. pollen, dust) that comes in contact with lymphocytes specific for that substance, or antigen. In many cases, the lymphocyte triggered to respond is a mast cell. For this response to occur, a free-floating IgE (an immunoglobulin associated with allergic response) molecule specific to the antigen must first be attached to cell surface receptors on mast cells. Antigen binding to the mast cell-attached IgE then triggers the mast cell to respond.
Posted by: Larry | Feb 1, 2009 12:49:36 PM
Hi this is the link to the disorders general information site. It is a rare cell level disorder.
http://www.umdf.org/site/c.dnJEKLNqFoG/b.3042169/k.7A8C/About_Mitochondrial_Disease.htm
All parts of the body are made of cells working in groups to do a specific function. So your millions of heart cells are all working together to pump blood. The condition causes very strange and unusual allergies and failures in normal digestion of common foods when the organ affected is the stomach or intestines. It is a very person specific disorder and not everyone is affected the same way. Also not everyone will develop every symptom possible on the list. Each cell has a power plant to run it called mitochondrial. The mitos are made up of 5 parts doctors call complexes. It’s like a cell is a worker with a small engine built inside the cell.
On the following link you will see a picture of a matrix on the right side. It’s complicated but it’s like looking at a car engine that changes what you eat and what your body makes naturally into a chemical the cell feeds on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_transport_chain
Inside the matrix to the right you will see a citric acid cycle. Citric acid is made in the body but also can be eaten. Prior to my Mito condition starting at 27, I was able to eat everything and never had any health issues. During the early near fatal times they could not figure out what was happening. One real hard to find side affect was I was no long able to process externally eaten citric acid in my body. This showed as what looked like a bad allergy rash and breathing problems but turned real bad when my doctors didn’t realize that a blood sugar test and a gastro test required you drink a solution that turned out to be full of citric acid. The reaction I had nearly shutdown my organs. It was very painful and took months to recover from this episode. Drugs like Benadryl are for simple allergic reactions and they have citric acid as an ingredient. They made things a whole lot worse. I have discovered that before I take any drug no matter how simple or if I schedule a medical test. I have them call the company and make sure the chemicals used in the tests have no citric acid. It is hard to manage but it is possible. In my case once I got the hang of avoiding the citric acid in foods, soaps, detergents’, shampoos, tooth pastes and meds things quieted in my body and many of my other symptoms disappeared relating to the citric acid intolerance. It takes time for things to settle even after you remove all the bad citric acid you have eaten from your body. Eat and drink as healthy as possible it makes you heal must faster. I also had them put a warning on my hospitals medical files so they incase of an unforeseen emergency they didn’t mess up and give me citric acid in an IV or any other drug. I work full time and try not to dwell on the problem. It is manageable once you become educated and your doctors realize the problem. I by habit always double check anything new with the company that makes the product. I haven’t had a bad citric attack in nearly 15 years. When companies change formulas it makes things a royal pain since many times they add citric to the product ,but just be careful always try new things in small amounts at first and then hold on for a few hours and try some more. The next day if you feel ok add more until you feel comfortable then just don’t think about it just move on to the normal days stuff. You don’t want to make your body react falsely by mentally expecting a problem. I hope this helps.
Posted by: Lori | Jan 26, 2009 7:30:28 PM
heather - I have wondered the same thing.. in many things people say they take, or eat or drink. I can't take any meds except a store brand acetominphen (Lobloaw's/Zehrs). they thoroughly checked the ingredients for me.
tylenol is not safe.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=44167743722
Posted by: Lori | Jan 26, 2009 7:26:56 PM
Larry - what is your rare genetic disorder called?
And are you intolerant or allergic? What are your symptoms?
I see an allergist/internal specialist on Feb 9. I'd like to have as many facts as possible.
And on that page you posted, is there a link to ingredients?
(citric acid is often used as a stabilizer in meds, and not always listed as an ingredient)
My allergy is extreme now.
Posted by: Heather | Jan 26, 2009 3:14:47 PM
My 4 yr old is either allergic or intolerant to citric acid, so recently we have had to eliminate it from his diet. He gets irritated round spots on his tongue and red around his mouth. I've noticed that since we have eliminated this from his diet he has been feeling so much better and of course his mouth is better. Reading this blog and researching the internet has really helped me to know more about what he needs to stay away from. As I was reading this blog I noticed that many of you can use Claritin, but I do not know how unless they have recently changed it because one of the inactive ingredients in it is citric acid. www.rxlist.com/claritin-drug.htm
We will have to find a different allergy medicine now.
I am thankful that I found this--great info!!!
Posted by: Larry | Jan 23, 2009 6:51:22 PM
Hi, I happened on this blog. I now have a very rare genetic conditon. It came on when I was 27 and made me very citric acid intollerant. One issue is proper nutrion with the many diet limitations. This site has citric free vitamins and minerals so you can still take in the needed elements to keep the other parts of your body working properly.
http://nutricia-na.com/
I have a world know team of doctor's and this is a complex issue. The mitochrondal sections of all cells has a citric acid cycle built into complex 1. There are five parts or complexes as doctor's call it in each cells power plant. I believe that this (cycle or section) of the cells power plant is the problem. You should see a genetic's doctor to make sure you don't have the condition because of a rare genetic disorder. I also use Dove soap for years. One thing to watch for is that many dishwashing powders have citric acid in them and the residue can cause stomach issues and slow exposure worstening over time.
Posted by: Vanessa | Jan 14, 2009 4:26:32 PM
I have been suffering from this since I was 5 or so. I had to eat my vegetables as a child and the parents choice were raw carrots and celery sticks. Every time I ate them, my gums would itch and my throat would start to close up. I was not taken seriously but I monitored it even then.
No that I am older, all raw fruits and vegetables that have citric acid, soda, some juices, all vinaigrette salad dressing, and any sour flavored candy (which I love) cause my tongue to get circular cuts on the sides all the way around it. It hurts very badly and I have to stop eating right away. I found some relief by putting Splenda directly on the cuts and it soothes the pain. I have not had any other symptoms as others have described ie rashes, migraines etc. But I am in my third trimester of my first pregnancy and my intolerance has gotten worse. My tongue has not yet healed and its been a week and a half since I first started (and stopped) sucking on the Breath Savers sour candy. Now the top of my tongue feels like it is burned (like I ate food that was too hot) and I can't eat anything that has a texture other than smooth or it feels like the food is scrapping the skin off my tongue.
I read somewhere else that Watermelon Frost is helpful with Citric Acid Intolerance that has symptoms in the mouth. I plan on getting some this evening and trying it out for myself. I'll let you know how it goes.
Posted by: Lori | Jan 7, 2009 10:04:05 AM
I've created a citric acid allergy facebook group if anyone is interested.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=44167743722
Posted by: Lori | Jan 6, 2009 3:20:19 PM
But the problem is, after we find all the foods that do contain citrus/citric acid, and meds, and soaps, and shampoos, and lotions and so, and you get to the point that you are not getting the nutrients you require, then what?
Yep - I'm running out of things to eat - bread (occasionally) and bananas. I can drink water, Allan's apple juice and Coke.
I was down to onions and mushrooms too, but this time of year is tough as most fruits and veggies are sprayed with a citric acid bath to make longer shelf life. Now I can't eat them either.
What happens when you run out of food and you still can't find a doctor to listen?
You can only avoid things for so long. There is very little "safe" products out there.
And you people with babies with this issue - you can't cut everything out. Your baby needs all the nutrients to grown and survive.
You got to find a doctor to listen to find the cause of the allergy!
(I still can't find one. I keep trying tho)
Posted by: Susan | Jan 6, 2009 11:39:10 AM
I'll chime in - and now know I'm not nuts. My daughter has had some form of eczema since baby hood and only recently have we deduced the citrus allergy. And the Bendryl that I have been giving her for the outbreaks - has citric acid as one of the ingredients! It even popped up on the vanilla yogurt! Since figuring it out, her blotches have reduced but now seeing where it shows up in everything, I'll just have to be more vigilant. Including with the laundry and all of our clothes since she's a snuggler. She also had an allergy to rice cereal as a baby and the doctors thought I was nuts for that one too. I just know that when I stopped giving it to her, the eczema cleared up. Thank you for the confidence and the suggestions!
Posted by: StaceyW | Jan 4, 2009 1:12:53 PM
I love light bulb moments when I find a place like this and it all fits together! And I love knowing I'm not alone. I have a 2 1/2 year old that has had problems since she was about 1. It started with a red mouth and swollen lips, little blisters on her lips and throughout her mouth. The first time I took her to the Dr. they tried to tell me it was hand, foot, mouth virus (but without a spot on her hand or foot? OK!!)A few months later she had another flare up and a different doctor told me it was herpes!! My 18 month old with herpes?? When I told that Dr., the last Doc said these same symptoms were hand/ft/mth he basically said the other doc was a bonehead and it was definately herpes. Don't you just love Doctors holier than thou attitudes!!! I knew it wasn't herpes because it came back again and again. Through trial and error we found that tomato's were definately a culprit. We took her off them, but she still had problems so we let her start eating them again, and watched for other things. She then started to get a horrible rash on her stomach that she would itch, even in her sleep! We were told that it was a nickel allery? To what, the elastic in her waistband?? She finally had an episode a few days ago where her mouth was bright red, lips swollen, little sores all around her mouth,and she was drooling. Her stomach was covered in an eczema like rash, she was crying and rocking on her hands and knees in obvious abdominal pain. All she could tell us was her mouth was ouchy. After reading everyones comments, I have NO doubt she has a citric acid intolerance!! After thinking about what she had eaten for lunch and dinner that day (lunch-chicken nuggets and ranch dressing with raspberry juice to drink - and Dinner - Spaghetti,corn, mandarin oranges- strawberry yogurt and orange juice mixed with sprite!!)We now start our road to recovery! I am so grateful to have come across this info!! Thank you, to all!!
Posted by: Daniel | Dec 23, 2008 7:49:31 AM
I am amazed at how many people have commented on this site, I thought this condition was "very rare"
Apparently not as rare as some might think. Though many of the question posts seem to point at other problems. Anything with a rash as the main symptom immediately makes me think of my nephew's reaction to pectin in apples.
I have such a problem with citric acid that even mild amounts cause my tongue to blister and the skin on the roof of my mouth starts to peel. All this is nearly instantaneous, which causes me to stop eating whatever is causing it. As a result I have no idea how my body would react if i consumed more than a very small amount of the acid. the only time I develop a rash is with direct contact with my skin. Slicing lemons at the restaurant where i work was once particularly troublesome, and bowel movements could be painful, for sometimes hours after the fact, with only small amounts ingested. a few months ago I started taking Cod Liver Oil, 1000 mcg daily. all my symptoms have since disappeared, though increased heartburn has caused me to lower my intake of the Cod Liver Oil to 1000 mcg every two or three days.
It took a month before I tried anything so dangerous as a glass of orange juice, one drink would have blistered my mouth prior taking the cod liver oil. I ended up drinking the whole jug. Ten minutes later (a long time since it used to be almost instantaneous after one drink) my tongue started to blister, but was fine after about an hour. Since then I have only had problems if I forget to take the oil.
To reiterate, Cod Liver Oil keeps my citric acid intolerance COMPLETELY in check.
Posted by: gb | Dec 20, 2008 8:56:55 PM
I have an unusual side affect to acidic foods/drinks - i get severely swollen/inflamed tonsils and the GP always ends up giving me antibiotics. However, after extensive antibiotic usage, i had further complications. i have had problems with eating/drinking anything acidic since i was small but found that as I have grown up, the problem has become more frequent. Has anyone else had the same problem and any possible remedies? I have also had my tonsils removed but the same sore throat problem still occurs.
Posted by: Maria | Dec 19, 2008 6:05:14 PM
My food allergies started when I was 3 years old and I am now 24. I get mouth and tongue mapping from citric acid sometimes I go to the doctor for "magic mouthwash" numbing agent just so I can eat. I developed lactose intolerance about ten years ago and have had IBS ever since. Is there anything I can do medication-wise or does it all rely on change of diet? I know I get reactions from limes,lemons,pineapple (brutal), plums, some berries more than others, tomatoes, peaches, some wines, salad dressings, and ironically some pancake syrups! Can I fix this?
Posted by: Kent | Nov 30, 2008 1:57:49 AM
All the comments on citric acid I found interesting because I had suffered for many years before I solved my problem.
Citric acid is the cause of lactose intolerance. I was diagnosed with ulcers by 3 different doctors over a period of at least 15 years. Not so.
Continued ingesting of citric acid will lead to prostate swelling in men and OAB (Over Active Bladder) in women and eventually cancer. Also while you are accumulating the effects of citric acid over the years your bladder is filling up with calculus. That's why you have to go and go like those stupid TV commercials for Flowmax presents.
Get the citric acid out of your diet and your prostate troubles will subside. It won't happen over night but it will get better in time. I have been off citric acid now for 8 years. I am now normal with sex and almost normal in capacity. I can go up to six hours without needing to urinate. I can also hold it for several hours without the fear of having to use the cathater.
I can drink milk, whole milk only that does not contain Vitamin D.
I'm 79 years old.
Posted by: Nancy | Nov 29, 2008 10:45:43 PM
Wow, I thought it was just me. Citric acid is a trigger for me, but it seems only in drinks, and that's most drinks. It seems like the only things I CAN drink without getting a migraine is Coke and water (tea is a trigger as well and I hate coffee, although it would probably be trigger as well because of the enzyme that's in both).
What do the rest of you drink. I am getting tired of Coke (plus, it's not good for me) and I'm not a water drinker?
Posted by: theresa | Nov 29, 2008 10:21:51 PM
wow i just figured out that my daughter can't handle citric acid she is 5 months old and when i gave her pears 3 weeks ago she instantly started to get hive's above her eye's and got slightly irritable, i stopped giving them to her thinking maybe it was just the pears, gave her only veggi's for a week then thought i would try apple sauce same thing happened, did the veggi's for anouther week then today tried banana's same reaction. i then had a light bulbflick on and realized that they use citric acid to maintain the fruits colours in the baby food so i tried mashing a banana myself and gave it to her. no reaction.
i am glad to have found this site and to have read what you all have gone through and what has citric acid in it. i am sorry that you have had to go through all these things it must be hard, but i now also have a good understanding of what my daughter will possibly go through and what to avoid.
Posted by: Jayme | Nov 25, 2008 1:57:22 PM
Thanks Lori. I've recently been to the doctor and he's got my daughter an appointment with an allergist (she's also having problems with dairy products). The appointment's scheduled for May '09 though. I've been to health stores for products such as butter that don't contain citric acid. I bake everything for her for scratch and bring her own food if the family goes out to eat. Thanks for your help!
Posted by: Chith | Nov 21, 2008 8:58:16 PM
I am from India and in Indian food we use different souring agents. I hope one of these could help as a lemon substitute. Though some of these might contain citric acid, the amount could be negligible. For instance, tamarind's tartness comes from tartaric acid.
1. tamarindus indica - tamarind - usually available in paste form.
2. Garcinia cambojia
3. Garcinia indica - Kokum - found as a product called "amsul"
4. Mango powder (amchur)
I wish I could provide information on the chemical constituents of each. But I couldn't find one stop resources to identify chemical differences between these fruits. Two of these resources may be helpful.
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/bgpl/NPI_08_08_gencor3.pdf
Posted by: Lori | Nov 19, 2008 2:23:02 AM
Cathie -
I use olive oil and some corn oils. They are "safe" here.
I use many spices in cooking, but not mixed ones. Anything mixed could have "anything" in it.
Stay away from paprika (paprika is red pepper, and red pepper is in the citrus family) (IF you are allergic to citrus citric acid)
I stay away from all peppers, hot, black, red, yellow, green.
But I cook with many other spices - bay, oregano, parsley etc.
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I've always been hypersensitive to smells, and my hearing has always been excellent - often hearing what others don't. Sunlight has never bothered me tho. I love being in the sun and don't do sunglasses.
Posted by: Lori | Nov 19, 2008 2:15:04 AM
Cathie - I am in Ontario Canada. The doc I mentioned is in London, Ontario, Canada.
And no, I can't find a doc to listen about that. I was hoping my movement disorder specialist would listen, but I haven't heard back.
They believe me when I say I am allergic. And now won't prescribe anything with it in it.
But when I ask what sort of damages could happen because of it, or how to stop it, then they are stumped.
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Jayme - I found out through trial and error. I was once diagnosed with functional hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). I had to eliminate all foods and eat one at a time to see what affected my sugars. I found anything citric or citrus caused my sugars to drop drastically.
When I eliminated citrus, my sugars went up. (citrus/citric helps break down sugars) So now I have a false positive for diabetes. I don't have it. my sugars are high with no effects. But if i eat something with citric acid, they drop really low. Of course the docs don't listen even with proof.
But at the time, it was the citrus. that was about 8 years ago.
Then I started noticing I was reacting to lots of other things and thought it odd. Then one day I was eating a can of tomatoes. only thing in it was tomatoes and citric acid. I could eat fresh tomatoes fine (its citrus citric acid that im allergic to, and all citrus).
So it was narrowed down. So i started watching foods that had it and stopped eating them. but it's not listed in all products. it's a natural product so legally it doesn't have to be listed.
but some days I would react to a food I thought was safe, and each time it happens, i learn it has citric acid in it.
Jayme if your daughter is doing well without, I'd try harder with the doc. Normally people would say keep eliminating the food to stop the symptoms, but as you have read in here, something is missing somewhere in our bodies that is causing the allergy. And we all have other health issues because of.
So I'd push your doc to look into it more or ask for a second opinion. Hopefully you can make your doc listen. Your daughter is really young and you don't want her to have these issues.
Posted by: Cathie | Nov 18, 2008 8:14:26 PM
Here's another factor that we may have in common. I have long believed that I am hypersensitive. (Extremely sensitive to what others do not react to.) Hypersensitive to taste and textures of food, to bright light (I wouldn't dare go outside without sunglasses), to loud noises, to smells and hypersensitive to touch. Even as a child- I am 52- my brother would barely touch me and I would cry that he was hurting me. I think now that many people are probably affected by citric acid, as well as other additives and preservatives in our foods but some of us are much more sensitive to it. I believe more and more people are becoming sensitive but that those of us who are hypersensitive may be learning it first. It seems that Lori, you may be in England as well as others who add to this blog. Perhaps doctors and others in your country are more familiar with this than some of us in the United States. What do you think?
Also, what do you know about cooking oils and citric acid (olive oil, safflower oil etc.) and spices in cooking?
Posted by: Jayme | Nov 17, 2008 1:33:50 PM
I have a 10 month old daughter who gets severly congested and starts wheezing within a few bites or sips of anything containing citric acid. She also ended up in emerg twice before I realized what was causing her to react like this. Can anyone tell me how you convinced your doctor that it's citric acid causing these problems? Both times the doctors told me I was being paranoid and that she had an upper respiratory tract infection (no meds given). But I've been watching what I give her and no citric acid for 3 months and no problems breathing. Her pediatrician doesn't believe me. Thanks for your help.
Posted by: Jayme | Nov 17, 2008 1:32:50 PM
I have a 10 month old daughter who gets severly congested and starts wheezing within a few bites or sips of anything containing citric acid. She also ended up in emerg twice before I realized what was causing her to react like this. Can anyone tell me how you convinced your doctor that it's citric acid causing these problems? Both times the doctors told me I was being paranoid and that she had an upper respiratory tract infection (no meds given). But I've been watching what I give her and no citric acid for 3 months and no problems breathing. Her pediatrician doesn't believe me. Thanks for your help.
Posted by: Lori | Nov 17, 2008 10:36:07 AM
Cathie
I too get a rash from my sweat. And it makes me wonder.
I was reading how every living thing produces citric acid in the body.
So if we produce it and we are allergic to it, then it would be in our sweat and our urine etc. And if we are allergic, that would cause rashes and other issues.
I can't locate the page i found about the citric acid imbalance and allergies. But it said when you were allergic or had an imbalance, different things happen. it did list tremor.
I'm surprised you only her about your dad having it. Many many people have it. its far more common than parkinsons. Next time you are out in a crowd, look around you and see how many have it. In the olden days, they used to think it was a symptom of old age so many elderly people don't complain about it. they think it is normal to get it. It's not. I belong to many essential tremor groups and people of all ages get it. I got it at 40. (im 45 now). But even babies and little kids get it. some cases are hereditary and some are not. it can be caused by medicine, environment, or chemical. basically everything.
I emailed my movement disorder specialist about the citric acid, but he never replied. He is the head of the research dept in London ON regarding movement disorders.
For those who don't know - ET - Essential Tremor. The word Essential only means "we have no idea why you have this or how to fix it". Tremor is obvious.
There is no known cure for ET yet. There are meds they can give you that helped others but might not help you. The 4 groups of meds were made for other things like epilepsy. There is nothing made specifically for ET yet.
In severe cases, they will do DBS surgery (Deep-brain stimulation) - thats a heart and brain surgery while you are awake. they put a thing in there with wires and it sends electrical impulses to try and interrupt your tremor. It's a last resort. my doc said I'm far too young for this because it only helps for a time.
I was told to just deal with what I have for now.
I'm not 100% sure there's a connection. After figuring out my citric acid allergy and then doing heavy research after getting worse, and seeing what's connected I started looking for that. I did type essential tremor and citric acid into google. and other combinations.
A lot of what I read, is that if you have a citric acid imbalance it messes with your citric acid cycle. And then all sorts of things can happen.
I really wish my movement disorder specialist acknowledged my email. he really is a good doc usually.
Posted by: Cathie | Nov 16, 2008 10:03:30 AM
The intolerance to citric acid and vinegar does not come and go. I get the mouth reaction then a stomach reaction if I eat something I shouldn't. I've learned what foods to stay away from, mostly. The general loss of energy seems to come and go and I've been thinking I'm crazy to think that walking makes me feel worse as far as energy level and general well being. I haven't tried taking iron and have not had my iron tested or anything else for that matter. I've figured this out only from reading this blog and doing my own elimination diet. I stopped eating completely then slowly built up adding something new each day until I could pinpoint the problem foods. After 3 or 4 months I thought I had it under control but after the time change- I started walking again in the mornings and felt horrible for several days then realized maybe because I had stopped walking daily then started again that perhaps there was some connection with exercise. I'm told that when you exercise your body produces lactic acid. My sweat does make me itch as well. Also, I know this can be hereditary but I'm almost shocked to see Lori's reference to Essential Tremor. My father had ET since I can remember but I've never heard those words spoken anywhere other than from my mother and father. I don't know anyone who even knows what that is! Are you sure there is a connection? How can I learn more about that? Thanks to all of you for collaborating on this project! I'm convinced that we're learning more from each other than any doctor could provide us!
Posted by: she | Nov 16, 2008 12:00:47 AM
cathie, like i said earlier when i had this intolerance thing it was horrible after they told me to take iron it cleared slowly now i can eat whatever but i to was an avid fast paced walker and my symptoms would flare up worse and id really feel like crap, My doctor said no more walking untill my stores come up cuz i was actually burning them out more from exercise and sweating, i really miss my walking and i do have my tread mill in my room waiting for me, but im actually a little timid cause i dont want to ever have those feelings again. im not preaching but do you know your iron levels? maybe a possibility?
Posted by: Lori | Nov 15, 2008 8:16:43 PM
cathie -
does your symptoms really come and go? Mine are permanent. If i eat anything citrus or citric acid i have bad reactions.
If i use soaps or shampoos or lotions or anything like that, it gets me too.
If you get it only sometimes, Id be wondering what is setting it off for those certain times and what isnt.
Posted by: Lori | Nov 15, 2008 8:14:57 PM
she - imodium goes out as fast as meat.
the doc (surgeon) said the only thing that really works is citrus.. there's a product docs often tell you to use in this case, but its base is made from oranges. My doc said "nevermind"
he said it's oranges and citric or citrus anything that helps break down your foods properly.
All he said to me was "well just find a food that works for you. Eliminate all foods and try one at a time until you find something"
Im still looking. he was no help after that
ive tried to tell several docs of my finds. But they are arrogant things and most say "Im the doc. I never heard of this." and id say can you check it. and they dont.
still looking for a doc with a real brain.
Posted by: Cathie | Nov 12, 2008 8:47:06 AM
She-
You and I have been reading and writing on this blog for the same amount of time. If you go back to early June, you'll see we both discovered this blog about the same time and it seems we both go back and add occasionally. I see that your intolerance comes and goes. I find too that seems to be the case. I have regained energy lost by such a controlled diet by taking B-2, B-12 and L-Lysine daily. I feel much better as far as energy my level goes but I wonder about the influence of exercise. When I walk daily I seem to have more symptoms. Does that seem possible?
Posted by: she | Nov 12, 2008 1:46:32 AM
lori, omg im stunned, i really feel for ya i to had my gallbladder out and i had a bout with everything goin in and comming out to the point i was afraid to leave the house. But my doc told me alot of peopple go through this, mine lasted for about a good 2-3 yrs before it finally stopped and stay for awhile lol. A friend of mine lived on takeing that imodiam ad or however you spell it. maybe you can tell your doc to visit this website sometime and see what he thinks, We cant all be crazy right?!!!! lol, I did eat alot of cucumbers when i had this there considered more of an ash food kinda like a base instead of an acid
Posted by: Lori | Nov 11, 2008 11:05:42 PM
she - i can't do meats or other proteins like milk or peanut butter. I had my gall bladder out 3 years ago and well.. these things do not stay in my system. I have since discovered having a citric acid allergy is the reason why my body did not adjust to not having a gall bladder.
(both gall bladders and citric acid in the system help break down foods properly. most people who have their gall bladder removed, adjust just fine because the citric acid in their bodies works fine and continues to break down those foods. but if your body doesn't do citric acid very well, then you don't adjust.)
Now I eat meat occasionally. Im not a vegetarian. But it goes through my system instantly so I get no benefit from it.
Lately, I eat rice, carrots, broccoli, onions, and mushrooms for dinner. toast for breakfast. I can eat apples and pears and some other fruit. but only local stuff. coconuts and bananas are okay because you don't eat the outer part.
Coke classic and A&W rootbeer, and water to drink. Lays dill pickle chips, and some plain chips.
pretty boring., been eating this way for a month now. feel a little better.
---
she - i stopped drinking tea. we shall see.
---------
Amber - your symptoms sound like an allergy not an intolerance....
not all Apple juices have citrate. there are a couple that are safe.
but as Amber pointed out - citrates are citric acid. sodium citrate (salt and citric acid combined), calcium citrate (calcium and citric acid combined).
there are lots of terms used for citric acid. if unsure, don't eat or use the product until you contact the company.
------
I waited 5 weeks to hear about a store brand acetaminophen. They called today and guarantee it's safe. they heavily researched and found the pill does not contain it. the factory does use citric acid on other products but thoroughly cleans the line between products. I told the person cross contamination can be bad too. The store brand was Loblaws. They were very good in the research.
I took a 1/2 later as i had a severe headache. i didnt want to take a whole one just in case. i was fine. no reaction.
------
some companies don't always find for sure and you have a bad reaction - shoppers drug mart is one company I do not trust now.
---
but on the whole, most companies are very good at researching for you. if you have to call one, be sure to tell them even if a product comes into contact with citric acid, that it will affect you.
--------------
She - I figured out oranges had adverse effects on me about 7 years ago. But I had many symptoms much of my life. more to the main 4 citrus fruits then. but docs had no clue and diagnosed all sorts of things.
about 5 years ago I developed essential tremor (basically much of my body shakes. all the time). for some its hereditary, but it wasnt for me. ive been researching lots of things since. and recently i found an allergy or insensitivity can cause the tremor too.
I had bad reactions to all tremor meds available and stumped the specialist. now i have found out why. all tremor meds have citric acid in them.
I remember when I was 15. I was getting on the high school bus, felt funny, and passed out. ended up in the hospital. they blamed all sorts of things. but i do remember, that morning I drank a large glass of orange juice and ate a half grapefruit....
i spent much of my life passing out with little warning. docs blamed ladies issues, sugar, anemia, iron, ladies issues (yes i said it twice - that seems to be the thing they blame the most if they are stumped), and so on.
now I know exactly why I pass out. If i ingest anything with citric acid (not knowing of course), I am out within a half hour. but I am more attuned to things now and warn people. super sleepy, itchy skin, runny nose, labored breathing, watery eyes, feel weak, blinding headaches etc. So i let people know that I will be passing out shortly.
---
such a life.
if only a doc would listen.
Posted by: Amber | Nov 11, 2008 10:30:39 PM
Wow, I definitely thought I was one of the only people who have this intolerance. Mine is not nearly as intense as some of yours, but the acid literally does burn away the surface of my tongue. I can tolerate it in small doses, but I have eaten it and not realized the acid was in the food/drink until a few minutes later when my tongue is in a lot of pain and I look later to find large cuts and what almost look like "craters" on my tongue. It really is quite gross. I drink a lot of apple juice and water because these are the only drinks offered in my college's cafeteria that I'm sure don't have the acid in them. Careful if you're really sensitive though, apple juice does have calcium citrate.
I've had this intolerance since I was about 7, it's basically self diagnosed, my pediatrician had never heard of it before, but it was pretty easy to deduce when the reaction happened minutes after drinking orange juice daily. Now I deal with it. When my tongue has a lot of cuts on it, I have to be careful eating anything with any type of strong flavor (even non-citrus foods) like a strong cinnamon or peppermint gum can even irritate it. It's almost as if my taste buds in certain areas are gone, and others are hypersensitive. Does this happen to anyone else too?
Posted by: Cathie | Nov 11, 2008 8:00:02 PM
Doris, Check www.prelief.com for a full description of Prelief. It states that it is a supplement and not a drug. I now use it only when I eat out and it makes a big difference. You can also order it in larger quantity from the website.
I find it really confusing and strange that the things that one person on this blog simply cannot tolerate are fine for others. I determined at one point that all acids were bothering me but now I'm not sure. I've learned that if I take the prelief when I eat something I didn't prepare or right after I get a mouth reaction of blisters- I'm usually okay and can avoid the stomach reaction. Here in New Mexico our main staple is green chile. Now, I can't touch it with a ten foot pole- or any other type of pepper. Weird!
Posted by: doris | Nov 11, 2008 6:50:31 PM
Hi, I underwent radiation treatment a few years ago and the cream that I used was aquaphor, it really helped with the burning, I looked and it doesn't have citric acid listed as ingredient. I love this product. Got it at walmart
Posted by: Sharon | Nov 9, 2008 10:33:27 AM
I agree this site makes me feel like I'm not alone. I realized I had a citric acid intolerance after I had my son. I ate manderine oranges around Christmas and had blisters down my throat. I also get small sores (which develope into blisters if I do not stop eating foods with citric acid) and itcing on my face, runny ears, cough from chocolate. I have also found out the only pop I can drink is Classic Coke, Dr. Pepper and A&W Rootbeer. I did go to an allergist which ended up in no help many years ago. I have watched what I ate and found out the problem myself. I cannot drink red wines but white I can tolerate (we make our own). I can have some grapes and cantaloupe but not too much or too often. Does anyone have more info on Prelief - I wouldn't mind trying but don't want to have more medication in my system then needed. What's in it. Also some of the symtoms I have read in thes blogs could they be realated to Soy. There are horrible side effects from this product and its in everything.
Posted by: Pat | Nov 8, 2008 11:34:52 AM
Thank goodness I found this site. I didn't know why my tongue burned and lips burned and itched and felt like pins were sticking in them. My face itched, stung and burned and my allergist did the skin test and told me I had no food allergies, my blood is being tested now and I get the results next week. Little did I know the orange juice and pink grapefruit juice I lived on were doing this to me. Now that I know what the issue is I have to figure out how to live with it and what to eat besides rice,veggies and water. I wanted to lose weight but not like this. Thanks to you all.
Posted by: marsha | Nov 8, 2008 10:33:32 AM
It's so interesting to read this. While many of us seem to have different triggers and tolerance levels, there are also many common areas. In reading back, Mike's comments make me realize that I have limited my tiny soft drink exposure to Coke Classic, Dr. Pepper and some brands of root beer. All others have been off-limits for years and even these I generally stay away from. As for topical allergies, I don't get welts or rashes, but have always had trouble putting much of anything near my face, especially lipstick, lip gloss, eye makeup and most creams and foundations. There is one Olay face wash and an Olay cream that I can use, but mostly not. Also, is there any connection between this and allergy to latex paint? I get really sick and my hands swell when I paint. Man, I feel like someone should be doing some major research project to connect all these dots.... In answer to "she" Benedryl drags me down if I take it too often and the typical 50mg dosage takes me over the top, but it is a lifesaver in general. I too am helped a bit by Claritin in the morning, but it's not enough if I have a full blown attack. My health in general is very good, so when I am not having this issue, there is a huge difference in my life. In general, I home cook food as much as possible, stay away from boxed and canned foods, drink water vs. sodas, don't really do herbal teas and home remedies, steer clear of most fruits and berries (especially those high in citric), eat only fresh fruits and veggies that appear to be local, make limited use of mayo and dressings I'm not sure of, drink almost no juice (can occasionally do pear or apricot or even cranberry), and make little or no use of over the counter meds except Benedryl and Claritin. This generally keeps me feeling healthy. Most recent problem, however: can't find any kind of stock other than homemade beef stock that I can do. Good news for my dogs, however, they get weekly marrow bones and I get the leftover broth from baking them and boiling them with celery and carrots etc. Whew. Getting hard to track it all.
Posted by: she | Nov 7, 2008 12:20:07 AM
lori the foods i was told to eat for my iron were red meats and everybody keeps telling me to eat liver grain cerals and different kinds of lettuce but then with all the red meats you have to watch your chlorestral so basically i just eat alot of salads and take my pills my ferritn wasnt low enough that i was anemic but low enough to malfunction my enzymes who would ever think. Now i can eat what ever i want but im still afraid to drink pepsi but i did have some sour patch kids for halloween. lol. Now my major cocern is my hair fallin out cuz of my iron being low, But everybodys telling me it'll grow back, i do have thick curly hair right now but its scary to watch it go down the drain,lol. did you suffer your whole life w this allergy or did it just hit you all a suudden like what happen to me?
Posted by: Lori | Nov 5, 2008 11:58:18 PM
she:
I havent had my iron checked in years. It used to be low normal and a doc put me on iron and it made me really sick. Too much iron in the system can be dangerous too.
What foods have iron? Maybe I can try that.
and the tea is interesting. I do drink a tea a day.
I don't have a real family doctor at present. well i have one. a new one who doesnt listen at all. he didnt even take my history. wasnt interested. said he didnt need it. yeh right.
but i will look more into this. I do know a citric acid allergy does mean a shortage in something.
I read on one page a shortage in thiamine and niacin could cause it too.
Now if I can find a doc to test it.
thanks she. it's something to look into.
(claritin has citric acid. I dont take anything at all for anything.)
Posted by: she | Nov 3, 2008 12:24:27 AM
lori when i had the rash from my intolerance i used bacatracin which seemed to help but idk if theres citric acid in it or not but it did work for me, And i did start the day with a 24 hr claritin which seemed to also help. But if you read above iam now intolerance free but i really did live through hell for awhile and i do feel your pain, anger and anxiety because of this, it was no picnic in the park for me either, hope you find what your looking for.
Posted by: Lori | Nov 1, 2008 8:21:09 PM
I'm surprised you can do Benedryl as it has antihistamines in it which have citric acid.
And red peppers, hot peppers etc are actually in the citrus family.
I've been discovering more and more things with citric acid. Lard has it. I used to use it for severely dry cracking feet. it used to be safe, but not now.
Marsha - all the antibiotics contain citric acid. Also many of the narcotic type pain killers have it. I just hope I never get in an accident or get a major infection. The docs aren't sure what to do anymore.
Right now I have a rash from the allergy, but it wont go away. one doc said to try one cream - it had citric acid (tho not listed) and it burned my skin.
the next said try petroleum jelly. I called the company first. I told them my allergy is severe, so even if the product comes in contact with it if the line is shared, i cant use it. At first the guy said it has petrolatum. well duh that is made up of 10+ chemicals. I told him that. He didn't know that. He called me back 3 days later told me it was safe. I tried it and it burned my skin! stupid company! don't they know how dangerous it can be to not thoroughly check regarding an allergy!
Anyways - any ideas on what to use for a rash (the doc said it appears to be allergy related) and for severely dry skin?
I cant find a hand cream without citric acid.
Posted by: Marsha | Oct 27, 2008 9:34:12 PM
Has anyone else discovered that Benedryl taken before symptoms come on can help avoid the debilitating migrain? If I notice at night that I am very thirsty, have a sore throat or just don't feel well, I take 25mg and am mostly okay in the morning. If I don't I can barely get out of bed and usually lose a whole day of work. I have a long list of foods and drinks I can't do anymore, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries, wines and beers etc. But I do a lot of cooking with peaches, apples, hot pepper jelly and herbs without problem. I also have many medication allergies, so was interested in the comments from one of you who discovered a link to citric acid. Great discovery, although I don't know exactly how to use the info to help. It sure is amazing at any rate to find so many other people with this issue.
Posted by: Steven Payne | Oct 21, 2008 6:57:17 PM
Since I was a kid I used to get small painful boils(?) in my underarms and waist and the doctor never really gave me a reason why I developed them. But I noticed everytime I would eat or drink something with lemon I would develop these boils overnight. So I'm pretty sure it has something to do cetric acid. I even did a test using soda (Mountain dew Vs Coke) and now I know not to ever drink lemony pops again! I was wondering if anyone has experienced this kind of symptom before?
Posted by: Keri Booker | Oct 17, 2008 1:02:45 AM
Hi, my baby is 4 months old and has developed what i thought was excema over body, especially around neck and under legs... Thought it was washing powder and johnson and johnson products so i stopped, rash went for awhile then returned. I was still using lemnis fatty cream which containes citric acid and eating tomatoes while breastfeeding so after reading the comments i think my baby might be intolerant to citrus... Im in process of trial and error... can babies use dove products???
Posted by: Bryan | Oct 14, 2008 10:55:31 PM
I had allergy test done 26 yeas ago and was told that I was allergic to Citric Acid. I have read through the post here and noticed a lot of different reactions that people suffer from consuming Citric Acid. My reaction is a bit different. I have a sinus reaction, like a lot of other allergies. Like mold or pollen. If I get a lot, full blown sinus infection. But most of the time it is just a few sniffles and sneezes. I do keep an eye on how much Citric Acid is in drinks and processed foods, but have to deal with it on some things.
As the Dr. mentioned, the people that are having problems with tomatoes and pineapple, could it just be the acidic nature of the food that is being reacted to? I have not problems with either of these foods and my reaction to Citric Acid was a level three.
Posted by: Sarah | Oct 14, 2008 6:25:12 PM
I think I might be allergic because I get rashes around my mouth whenever I use most lipglosses containing citric acid. I also have a very bad rash that looks like a burn on my hand. It gets worse when in contact with any citric acid containing product (i.e. handwash). Are there any temporary solutions? My skin is peeling and raw and needs a cure!
Posted by: Rod Lennon | Oct 14, 2008 6:44:39 AM
HI I just found a web su=ite about ctric acid intolerance etc,www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~vclarke/citric.html.
I am 46 and just started to get the ichies for no reason, talked to my mum who said " in mid 40s she became sensitive to too much vitamen c, plus pork and its cvarious by products. she now has to watch what she eats so she doesnt get an overload . I think I must be getting or hav eth same issues, bugger the doctors theyknow little, I will go with the advice of others and my mum from her experience.
Posted by: Lori | Oct 8, 2008 6:28:55 PM
Hi Rachel.
Im not sure where you are, but most places add a citric acid bath to promote ripening on fruit and veggies. Usually these are imported products.
If I buy local, then the fruits and veggies are safe. I can't buy from other countries other than my own. I hope this helps you.
Lori
Posted by: Lori | Oct 8, 2008 6:26:51 PM
It gets worse - I'm allergic to all antibiotics and many other meds. I didn't know why until I did tons of research. Every med that I am allergic to contains citric acid. Why don't the doctors and pharmacists know this? They know I'm allergic to citric acid yet they keep prescribing things that can be deadly.
I have had 4 reactions to citric acid this week. I have such a bad rash. I went to a walk-in clinic to find help. the doc was not sure what to do because most creams have citric acid in them. She prescribed one that she wasn;t sure of, and told me to ask the pharmacist for full ingredient list. He said it was safe - so 2 days later and the rash is far worse and painful!
I wish I knew what to use.
Posted by: Rachel Lewis | Oct 6, 2008 1:10:01 PM
I have a horrible reaction to citric acid. Fever blisters. All over my lips, nose, down my nose, in my mouth...I look like a leper.
I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who has this intolerance/allergy.
It's horrible and so socially embarrassing.
Right now I have 6 cold sores on my lips because I ate a slice of apple at Whole Foods that was drenched in orange juice (to keep it from going brown).
I try so hard to keep from digesting citric acid but sometimes, things happen. I just wish I could find a "cure".
Posted by: Lori | Oct 1, 2008 1:37:34 AM
forgot one -
organics and all natural foods -
be careful there. citric acid and citrus are a natural substance and foods that claim they are all "natural" are not really.
I saw some jams. it said no additives. all natural. Upon further inspection I saw it had added citric acid, stating it was a natural occurring substance...
Posted by: Lori | Oct 1, 2008 1:35:34 AM
I guess emails don't show up.
frester at iggabod dot com
change the at and the dot.
Posted by: Lori | Oct 1, 2008 1:34:20 AM
other products with citrus and citric acid-
the list goes on and on. Why do food makers think most fruit juices need to have orange added to them?
Why do some companies feel the need to put citric acid in plastic. not just foods, but bottled water?
Why do restaurants feel the need to soak plates in lemon before putting food on the plates? I'm told it enhances the flavour.
(I can't eat out. period. ever!)
I have found 2 body washes that are citric acid and citrus free. One is Life brand (Shopper's drug mart(and only one scent)).
The other is a Compliments brand (Price Chopper, Sobey's)Canada. and only one scent.
Shampoos and conditioners are getting harder and harder to find. I have had a few that were safe last year, but the companies felt adding lemon or orange would have an added benefit. eek!
Most companies are good at telling you if their product is insafe. But most do not like to give you the extensive list, so you have to tell them what you are allergic to and they will tell you if you can eat it or not.
KFC- on the other hand sent me a very extensive list of every ingredient of every food they sell.
The chicken batter was safe. But I asked if they could look further because I had an allergic reaction to the chicken (not intolerance to meat) and with further checking I was told that the raw chicken is soaked in a citric acid bath before it's even sent to the restaurant. So all their chicken is unsafe!
Swiss Chalet - Their dietician was good to a point. She had told me the chicken and tater was safe and sour cream. But only as take out. the plates have a lemon bath. So I went, and reasked the girl to see the sour cream ingredients. citric acid! I called the dietician back and she said they must have substituted. I said it was official swiss chalet packaging. she wouldn't back down.
So I can have their chicken and baked potato with butter. take out. thats it.
speaking of butters and margarines. most butters are safe. only 2 margarines are here in Ontario.
Soda/soft drinks - Coke in Canada is safe. Coke in the US is not. Weird. Pepsi (i never liked pepsi) has citric acid.
Coke and A&W root beer are the only 2 safe soft drinks for me. (can't do diet)
Bottled water - you must be careful there too. I drink Nestle water. It's safe. But I tried an alternate brand here in canada from the Zehrs grocery and I reacted. Lemon in the plastic.
packaging does not have to list ingredients. and only food products have to.
Be careful all you citric acid and citrus allergy sufferers.There's more of it out there than you think.
I have a reaction about once a week. this week it was 2. it's driving me insane.
the rashes are intolerable. I can't use antihistamines (another allergy) so I have to grin and bear the itch.
aveeno oat bath soothes a teeny bit.
Any one out there have a truly natural itch remedy?
I don;t eat at friends or family either. I bring my own. Many make something, say it's safe, and boom! And i get "well i used a bit of this margarine. i thought a little bit was ok"
A little bit is not ok. Any amount is bad.
If I touch a lemon I get a rash. If I buy an apple and it touched the lemons in the store, I get sick.
(I buy bagged apples etc)
Food colouring. One brand has citric acid. one doesn't. be careful when you are baking.
Food additives are getting to be more and more. Food scientists are finding new ways to make one food taste like another by adding something to it. The world is becoming food chemically dependent.
And it's very bad for people with food allergies.
Feel free to email me. I'd like to hear from others out there like me.
Posted by: Lori | Oct 1, 2008 1:07:41 AM
I have citrus and citric acid allergies.
yes allergies. not intolerance. If I get even the teensiest tiniest amount of citric acid in my food, within 10 minutes, I have a runny nose, bad headache, itchy eyes, rash all over my body, I get very weak, and often pass out for a few hours. Then I have flu-like symptoms for 3 days afterwards.
And it's not as easy to avoid as you think. Through trial and error - reaction, and contacting many many companies, I have found that fruits and veggies that are imported from another country are sprayed with a citric acid bath to promote ripening - Im in canada. I can't buy fruits and veggies from the US even. And we import lots of them. So fresh fruit and veggies in the winter is tough. I have been growing my own garden. but you can only do so much.
Then I found some meats have it too.. not the meat, but the plastic, to promote longer shelf life. Schneiders foods (which includes maple leaf, shopsy's and many other lessor companies) puts it in the plastic of their sandwich meats, and hotdogs and some sausages.
Also, the FDA states that a company only has to list the top 10 ingredients of a product. So if they use a teeny amount, and theres more than 10 ingredients in a food, then it's not listed.
Last night I had another reaction - I ate some crackers and cheese. Both which stated they didnt have any of my food allergens (i have lots). So I emailed them today.
Now some natural citric acid does not affect me - raspberries, tomatoes (natural - not canned), pineapples.
My allergy more pertains to the citric acid from citrus fruits.
So i was suffering from lack of vitamin c and went searching for foods that were safe. One told me red peppers, hot peppers and the like have vitamin C. Well after eating it... eek! reaction. I looked it up and it appears red peppers - all - sweet or hot - are in the citrus family. who knew?! Paprika is made from red peppers too.
eek! it gets harder and harder every day to find a safe food. 90% of foods in the grocery store are unsafe for me. It's hard to find locally grown, untreated fruits and veggies.
My list of food allergies are - all shellfish, all citrus fruits, citric acid, red peppers - sweet or hot, zucchini.
food intolerances - most meats, artificial sweeteners.
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And food manufacturers are bad. one month a food is safe, the next its not. always always read ingredients every time you shop.
Posted by: Amber | Sep 29, 2008 12:18:29 AM
I too suffer from this allergy. In my case it occurs mostly on my face. (Corners of lips, eyelids and corners). I've had it for over 10 years. My doctors thought I was crazy... Ive been to a ton to try to figure it out.
Mine really comes out when I eat foods with vinigar, tomatoes, and oranges. I found that I cant drink Pepsi, but can drink Coke.
It usually presents as flakey skin and is usually sore and burns. It can also be red. Ive had the white tougne with bumps in the past, but that hasn't happened in a few years. Not sure if I grew out of that symptom or what (im in my mid twenties now).
Ive found, too, that DOVE products work without giving me a flare up. I use DOVE face wash as well as face lotion. Makeup, such as lipstick and lipgloss, really make the rash come out. Does anyone have any suggestions for lip products that do not contain forms of citric acid?
Thanks!!
Posted by: Jayme | Sep 20, 2008 5:57:10 PM
My 8 month old daughter is allergic to citric acid. She developed a diaper rash that just wouldn't heal no matter what we put on it. It kept getting worse until we realized that baby wipes contain citric acid. Soffs babywipes are the only ones we've found that don't contain it.
