The legalization of recreational cannabis may have opened the door for adults to use pot, but some people may have their party spoiled by an allergic reaction to cannabis. This allergic reaction is akin to what you may experience from other plants, trees and grasses. Read on and discover what you need to know about cannabis allergies.
What Consumption Method Triggers Them?
According to medical experts, the mode of administration rarely has anything to do with whether someone will show allergic reaction symptoms to cannabis or not. Actually, the mode of administration may simply determine what form the allergies take.
For example, a person who smokes cannabis and is susceptible to developing allergic reactions to it may exhibit respiratory signs of an allergic reaction while another person who eats a cannabis edible may display cramping and other symptoms linked to the digestive system.
How Prevalent Are Allergic Reactions to Cannabis?
Currently, it is hard to estimate what fraction of the population suffers from allergic reactions to cannabis. This lack of data can be attributed to two major factors.
First, cannabis has been illegal for decades, so no reliable data has been collected about those who exhibit allergic reactions to it. In fact, it may have been hard for people to self-report that they have an allergic reaction to cannabis since this could have exposed them to legal problems regarding their admission that they use an illegal substance. Now that cannabis is legal in Canada, medical professionals will certainly keep track of how often they attend to people with allergic reactions to cannabis.
The second reason why it may be hard to put a finger on how common cannabis allergies are is that it may be hard for many people to correctly attribute the reactions that are having to cannabis. For instance, someone may think that he or she has an itchy nose because of hay fever. Another person may react to the mold in cannabis and think that it is the cannabis causing that reaction.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Everyone who comes in contact with cannabis may be at risk of developing an allergic reaction if they are predisposed to such a reaction. However, individuals who work in cannabis grow facilities face the highest risk of suffering from allergic reactions to cannabis. This is because these people are constantly exposed to the plant as it goes through the different phases of growth until harvest time.
How Do Cannabis Allergic Reactions Manifest?
Cannabis allergic reactions are likely to take one of four forms, depending on the method of contact with the plant.
First, one may experience allergic rhinitis symptoms, such as sneezing and having a running nose after having contact with cannabis.
Secondly, you may develop conjunctivitis. This is characterized by having itchy eyes that may turn red or discharge tears.
Thirdly, cannabis allergic reactions may take the form of asthma in which the affected person starts coughing and wheezing after coming in contact with marijuana.
Skin reactions, such as dermatitis and hives may also be observed among some people who are predisposed to develop an allergic reaction to cannabis.
How Can Cannabis Allergies Be Treated?
It is rare to find someone who will be allergic to just cannabis. Consequently, the treatment options for cannabis allergies aren’t any different for treatment for any other allergies.
The first step that people who exhibit mild reactions to cannabis can take is to avoid any contact with the plant or its products. This aversion is usually enough to prevent any cannabis allergy issues.
Other treatment options that you can consider if you suffer from cannabis allergies is by taking antihistamine medications. Many of these are usually available over the counter. Alternatively, you can get steroidal medications that you can inhale. These may be over the counter medications or available only by prescription.
Now that cannabis is legal, most medical professionals are willing to talk to you about your concerns regarding cannabis allergies. Many have even undergone some training in how to deal with any adverse reactions that may result from contact with cannabis. You should therefore have no qualms about talking to these experts if you suspect that the reaction you are having may have been triggered by cannabis.
