Illegal substance difficult to test on patients, cannabis can cause allergies. The symptoms are identical to those caused by other allergens: contact dermatitis or even respiratory symptoms.
Does cannabis allergy exist?
Yes, it is entirely possible to be allergic to cannabis. The first description of a cannabis allergy dates back to the 1970s.”There are few living things to which one cannot be allergic. Anything plant-based can cause allergies.”, assures Dr. Madeleine Epstein, allergist and vice-president of the French union of allergists. The allergic reaction can occur after inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with the cannabis plant and is caused, as in all allergies, by the presence of a protein to which the person is sensitive. “This is the case when the immune system abnormally rejects a usually tolerated substance.
Can you be allergic to hemp?
Hemp belongs to the same species as cannabis but it differs from it by its content of THC, the psychoactive substance of cannabis. Varieties containing less than 0.2% THC would therefore be considered more as hemp while therapeutic or recreational cannabis rather contains between 5 and 20% THC. So, similar to a cannabis allergy, hemp allergy is quite possible.
Can you be allergic to CBD?
CBD is a cannabinoid, just like THC. While the latter has psychoactive effects, CBD does not. Although rare, allergens can also be present in CBD.
What are the symptoms of a cannabis allergy?
“In case of allergy to cannabis one can observe contact dermatitis or urticaria but also respiratory symptoms such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma“, explains Dr. Epstein.
“Because it’s an illegal substance, it is difficult to test it on the patient. Often, patients are able to describe their symptoms to us each time they come into contact with cannabis.“But another problem is to be taken into account: cross allergies with certain foods. “There is a family of proteins called LTPs (which serve to transport lipids). By coming into contact with cannabis one can become sensitized to the LTPs which are also found in many plant foods: fruits and vegetables, plants and seeds, and thus become allergic to some of these foods (for example, tomato, peach). tell the allergist.
What are the treatments for a cannabis allergy?
Cannabis allergy is treated in the same way as other allergies. In the first place, “we adapt the treatment to the symptoms of the patient. If he has asthma, asthma treatment will be given“. Secondly, it is necessary to know the allergen in question in order to be able to avoid it.
Cannabis pollen allergy: what is it?
When the plant flowers, it emits pollen. This pollen can indeed be the cause of an allergy, like many other pollens.
Thanks to Dr. Madeleine Epstein, allergist and vice-president of the French union of allergists.