Unraveling the Mystery: Can You Be Allergic to Marijuana?

There are lots of different allergens out there. Cat and dog hair are obvious examples, along with pollen. However, many lesser-known allergens can also trigger adverse reactions in people, including certain foods and plants. But what about the marijuana plant? Can you be allergic to marijuana? And if so, how do you find out?

Well, if you’ve ever asked the question, “Can you be allergic to marijuana?” then this guide is here to provide the answer. Below, we’ll look at whether or not it’s possible to be allergic to marijuana, how to spot an allergic reaction to marijuana, and how you can safely identify a possible marijuana allergy.

What Is a Marijuana Allergy?

So, can you be allergic to marijuana? Is a marijuana allergy a real thing? Well, the science says yes. It is indeed possible to suffer from a cannabis allergy, and, just like with other allergies, that means that you could suffer adverse reactions or bodily responses when using or consuming cannabis products.

Allergic reactions to marijuana may occur from smoking or vaping marijuana, as well as eating marijuana products, inhaling some marijuana smoke or vapor, or even just touching a marijuana plant. It all depends on the specific sensitivities and tolerance levels of the person in question, and a marijuana allergy is something to take seriously, as it can lead to very nasty symptoms.

Marijuana Allergy Symptoms

So, when it comes to “Can you be allergic to marijuana?” the answer is a clear and definitive yes. But how about the symptoms? How does the body respond when it comes into contact with cannabis allergens? Well, many of the symptoms of a marijuana allergy are similar to those of other allergies. Here are some examples:

Red and watery eyes
A runny or congested nose
Hay fever-like symptoms
Sneezing
Nausea and vomiting
Itchiness
Inflamed or red skin
Hives
Patches of dry and scaly skin

Risk Factors of a Cannabis Allergy

There are certain risk factors that may make a person more likely to suffer from an allergy to marijuana. These include:

Allergen cross-reactivity: Cannabis allergies are more likely to be present in people who suffer from other allergies, especially allergies to substances that contain similar proteins and properties to the cannabis plant. Examples of these allergens include eggplants, apples, bananas, tomatoes, peaches, grapefruits, and certain types of nuts.
Sensitization: As strange as it may seem, using cannabis very regularly or being exposed to it on a regular basis may also cause a person to develop an allergy over time. This is especially true in regions where cannabis is grown. Those who spend lots of time around the plant may gradually develop a sensitivity to it due to the amount of pollen they inhale and come into contact with. This process is called sensitization.
Increased THC content: All types of cannabis have their own THC and CBD ratios, with some containing much higher amounts of the THC cannabinoid—the part of cannabis that makes people feel higher than others. Studies have suggested that consuming high-THC cannabis may lead to a person being more likely to suffer an allergic reaction due to the unique properties of high-THC plants.

How Do I Know If I Have a Marijuana Allergy?

So, apart from using cannabis and seeing how your body responds, which may be very unsafe, how do you actually find out if you’ve got a marijuana allergy? Well, fortunately, a marijuana doctor or other medical doctor can carry out certain safe, simple tests to determine the possible presence of a cannabis allergy.

Marijuana Allergy Diagnosis

Typically, when diagnosing an allergy, doctors carry out a simple skin prick test. They do this to inject a tiny amount of allergen into a patient’s skin and then measure the response. There isn’t currently a standard skin prick test for cannabis, but certain tests are still available for people to try:

Skin tests: A doctor may be able to offer a variation of the skin prick test to check for cannabis allergies. They’ll prick the patient’s arm or back with a small amount of cannabis allergen and wait for around 20 minutes to check for a response. If an allergy is present, the patient may have red, itchy, or inflamed skin in the pricked area. However, these tests are not 100% reliable.
Blood tests: Another option to diagnose cannabis allergies is a blood test. Specifically, a general test like the IgE allergy test may be used. This test is designed to check a person’s general allergic responses rather than looking for specific allergies. It’s used to check the number of IgE antibodies in the blood, and it could give you an idea of whether you have a marijuana allergy. But it’s not 100% reliable either.

Marijuana Allergy Treatment

Skin testing is useful for verifying an allergic reaction to marijuana, but how do you treat or prevent an allergic reaction in the first place? Well, there currently isn’t any form of clinical treatment for marijuana allergies.

The only real option for allergy sufferers is to avoid marijuana entirely or, if their allergy is quite mild, make use of allergy medications to ease the symptoms. EpiPens and similar devices should also be carried by severe sufferers, just in case any anaphylaxis occurs.

The fact that there’s no treatment for this allergy is definitely bad news for those who suffer from cannabis allergies but also require cannabis to help soothe other symptoms related to other health issues, like chronic pain or cancer. However, it’s possible that better medications and more efficient treatments may develop in the years ahead. Contact us to learn more.

Summary

So, the key takeaway here is that marijuana allergies are genuine and can be just as problematic as any other kind of allergy. If you feel like you’ve experienced symptoms after using marijuana in the past, it might be a good idea to get in touch with a doctor and book a diagnosis to see if you have an allergy.