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Dietary supplements hold the potential to improve your health. However, they also hold the potential to trigger allergies. In light of this possibility, it’s important to be aware of a supplement’s ingredients before taking it.
Can you be allergic to supplements?
Yes, supplements can cause allergies. Although it sounds counterintuitive, supplements may cause health problems like allergies. For example:
1. Almost all vitamins (excluding vitamins B2 and B9) added to topical cosmetics can produce allergic reactions, according to a study published in 2022 by Health Science Reports. Specifically, v
itamins in cosmetics can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, a type of skin rash. Allergic contact dermatitis prompted by vitamins “is still probably an underestimated issue in cosmetology, as many vitamins are considered ‘natural’ and therefore ‘safe’ ingredients,” the study says.
2. Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family, can
cause allergic contact dermatitis, according to a study published in 2022 by the Indian Dermatology Online Journal. Turmeric is touted as a dietary
supplement that may support many aspects of health, including joint health, digestion, respiratory health, liver health and mood, says the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
3. Vitamin B12, which contains cobalt, can cause
reactions in people who are allergic to cobalt, according to DermNet. Among the possible reactions are dyshidrotic eczema (fluid-filled blisters on the hands or feet), cheilitis (inflamed lips), stomatitis (inflammation inside the mouth) and allergic contact dermatitis.
4. If you’re
allergic to ragweed, you should avoid supplements and teas that contain chamomile, echinacea, dandelion or daisy flowers, according to the COPD Foundation. Why? Because these plants come from the same family and can have “cross reactivity.” In other words, they can cause allergy symptoms for people who are allergic to other plants in that family, such as ragweed, the foundation says.
5. Some supplements contain allergens such as fish, shellfish, dairy and wheat. The COPD Foundation advises that if a supplement contains one of these ingredients and you’re allergic to it, you should avoid taking the supplement.
6. Herbal remedies, including teas, made from plants can
trigger allergic reactions, such as hives, or can lead to asthma symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The federal government classifies herbal remedies as dietary supplements.
How to avoid allergic reactions to dietary supplements
Perhaps the best way to steer clear of allergic reactions to dietary supplements is to carefully study supplement labels.
Trustwell, which specializes in food safety, compliance and supply chain services, points out that all dietary
supplements are required to list major allergens among the ingredients. Major allergens include milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat and peanuts.
However, Trustwell says, many supplements use ingredients derived from plants that are sources of major allergens but are plant parts that don’t contain allergen proteins. This can create confusion surrounding allergen labeling, according to Trustwell.
For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates supplements, explains that
roots, leaves, stems, bark or other parts that are distinct from the tree nut portion of the plant aren’t major food allergens. Case in point: If a dietary supplement is derived from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba plant, not the Ginkgo nut, and no other ingredients containing proteins derived from the Ginkgo nut or any other major food allergen were used to make the dietary supplement, food allergen labeling requirements would not apply to the dietary supplement, says the FDA.
If you do spot a supplement ingredient that you believe could trigger an allergic response, don’t take it. If you’re uncertain how taking the supplement might affect your health, reach out to your health care provider. And if you take a supplement that leads to an allergic reaction, stop taking it right away and seek medical attention.
When a dietary supplement contains an allergen that might cause problems, look for an alternative that’s free of the allergen.
“It’s very easy to assume a supplement is safe because we see it advertised or someone recommends it to use,” the COPD Foundation says. “But it is extremely important to understand exactly what you are putting into your body and make sure it is safe for you. Even if a supplement was prescribed by your health care provider, be sure to check the package before you use it.”
The foundation notes that allergies to dietary supplements can develop at any time during your life.
If you suspect that a dietary supplement is triggering allergy symptoms, talk to your health care provider, the foundation recommends. Keep in mind that
your health care provider might not ask about your use of dietary supplements during routine visits, Harvard Health Publishing emphasizes. “Without that information, they may not recognize that any signs and symptoms their patients may be experiencing could be related to these products,” says Harvard Health Publishing.
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