Home Remedy for a Jalapeño Pepper Allergy

Home remedies for certain conditions may have various approaches, but a home remedy for an allergy to jalapeno peppers has only two options. If your allergic reaction is a genuine food allergy to jalapeno peppers, the only home remedy is to avoid consuming jalapenos and any other peppers that trigger your symptoms. If your allergy is related to oral allergy syndrome, you may be able to prevent symptoms by only eating cooked jalapeno peppers 3. Talk with your doctor before treating any medical condition.

Jalapeno Pepper Allergy

A genuine jalapeno pepper allergy occurs when your immune system identifies the proteins in the jalapeno as a threat to your body, although it is safe for consumption. If you have an allergy to jalapenos, you will develop symptoms in various parts of your body. Common food-related allergy symptoms include:

• hives
  
• skin rashes
  
• skin inflammation
  
• eczema
  
• shortness of breath
  
• wheezing
  
• coughing
  
• chest pain
  
• diarrhea
  
• nausea
  
• vomiting
  
• stomach pain
  
• nasal congestion
  
• sinus headaches
  
• throat irritation
  
• according to MayoClinic.com

Avoidance

The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the only way to effectively treat and prevent an allergy to jalapeno peppers is to avoid eating them 1. There is no cure for food allergies, whether medical or natural home remedies. Prepare your own foods at home and avoid ethic foods that commonly contain jalapenos, such as Mexican food. When eating out, inform your server about your food allergy to prevent an accidental ingestion of jalapenos.

Oral Allergy Syndrome

Another common allergic condition related to jalapeno peppers is oral allergy syndrome 3. This allergic reaction causes localized reactions in your mouth and throat. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, you may develop itching, burning or swelling in your mouth and surrounding areas from eating jalapeno peppers if you have an allergy to mugwort or birch pollen 2. This condition is a result of your immune system mistaking the proteins in the pepper as pollen. Unlike a general food allergy, cooking the pepper before consumption may prevent oral allergy syndrome symptoms, according to Dr. David Katz in the July 2009 issue of "O, The Oprah Magazine. 3"

Considerations

Prevention is the only effective home remedy to treat a jalapeno pepper allergy. If you have the allergy, talk with your doctor about wearing a medical bracelet, and inform your family, friends and co-workers of your allergy. If your child has the allergy, inform her teachers and caregivers.