Allergy to B vitamins: B12, B6, B1

Allergy to B vitamins is rare, but creates great difficulties, since these biologically active substances play an important role in the functioning of the body and therefore are used to treat many diseases.

Causes of Vitamin B Allergy

In most cases, an allergic reaction to B vitamins is associated with an overdose due to excessive consumption of certain foods or misuse of medicines. An excess of vitamin B1 (thiamine) is considered the most dangerous, because it stimulates the production of acetylcholine, a substance that is involved in the development of allergies. In addition, a negative reaction to thiamine from the immune system can lead to impaired liver and kidney function.

Vitamins B6 and B12 cause allergies much less frequently. Particular attention should be paid to the amount of vitamin B12 consumed. It tends to accumulate in the body, since its half-life is approximately 1.5 years. Vitamin B allergy can occur even if taken in moderation. The reasons may be the following conditions:

• hypersensitivity;
• weakened immunity;
• diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders (for example, renal or liver failure).

It is worth noting that taking vitamins in tablets or capsules is often accompanied by a deterioration in well-being. The reason may not be an allergy to vitamin B as such, but a negative reaction to excipients: gelatin, starch, dyes and flavorings.

It is noticed that an allergic reaction develops several times more often in people who take multivitamin or vitamin-mineral complexes. This is due to the interaction between all the components of such drugs. Some experts believe that the absorption of vitamins and minerals from these drugs is much worse, which is why undigested compounds are perceived by the immune system as foreign agents.

Vitamin Allergy Symptoms

It is important to be able to distinguish between symptoms of an allergic reaction and signs of an overdose, since these conditions are treated differently. All representatives of B vitamins have a different level of activity, so the severity of allergies may vary. Symptoms for mild allergies to thiamine, B12, or other types are limited to skin manifestations:

• redness;
• itching and burning;
• rashes in the form of small vesicles and peeling;
• hives.

If B vitamins are injected intramuscularly, then swelling, redness and pain may occur at the injection site.

In more severe cases, vitamin B allergy is accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, watery eyes, and fever. A particularly severe course is characterized by the fact that symptoms of angioedema occur:

• hoarseness and suffocation;
• swelling of the face;
• swelling and numbness of the limbs;
• acute abdominal pain;
• a sharp drop in blood pressure.

This condition is life threatening, therefore, if signs of Quincke's edema appear, you need to consult a doctor urgently. In very rare cases, anaphylactic shock develops after injection of a vitamin solution.

An overdose of vitamin B12 or other representatives of B vitamins is manifested as follows:

• nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• weakness, dizziness;
• an increase in heart rate;
• characteristic changes in blood and urine tests.

Often, symptoms of an allergic reaction and an overdose occur simultaneously.

Vitamin Allergy Treatment

In order for the allergic reaction to stop, you need to stop the entry of the allergen into the body: refuse injections or taking multivitamin complexes. If such measures are not enough, then it is recommended to follow a special diet with a minimum amount of foods containing vitamin B12 or any other representatives of group B. If it is impossible to completely exclude such products, it is recommended to carry out heat treatment, which contributes to the destruction of the vitamin.

The drug treatment regimen is prescribed by the doctor, the choice of drugs, dosages and the duration of the course of administration depends on the symptoms. For oral administration, antihistamines are prescribed: "Erius", "Zirtek", "Tavegil", "Eden".

If the use of these funds does not give a positive effect, treatment with hormonal drugs is indicated: "Prednisolone" or "Dexamethasone". To eliminate the skin symptoms of vitamin B allergy, as well as nasal congestion, ointments with antiallergic components ("Fenistil-gel", "Gistan") and nasal drops with decongestants ("Galazolin", "Tizin", "Nazol"). In case of a severe skin reaction, the doctor prescribes an ointment with a hormonal component ("Beloderm", "Lorinden S").

In order to remove the remnants of B12 or another allergen from the body, an intake may be prescribed. adsorbing agents (activated carbon, "Enterosgel", "Polyphepan"), and also carried out cleansing enema. In case of an increase in body temperature, infusion therapy (dropper) is indicated. Additional elimination of vitamin B12 is helped by drinking plenty of drinking water and a hypoallergenic diet.

Prevention of allergy to B vitamins

To protect yourself from vitamin B allergy, it is recommended that you follow a few rules.

1. Do not abuse the intake of vitamin preparations: more does not mean better. People who lead an active lifestyle, eat a variety of foods and feel well, as a rule, there is no urgent need for the constant use of vitamin-mineral complexes.

1. When choosing drugs, give preference to monovitamins, since multivitamin and vitamin-mineral complexes cause allergies much more often. To find out which substance is deficient, it is enough to make a blood test.
2. Try to take vitamin medicines that contain the minimum amount of excipients. For example, drugs for children come in the form of sweet syrups or colored pills, but they contain many more potential allergens than simple tablets.
3. Note that manufacturers have recently been adding B vitamins to skin and hair care products. In the presence of allergies, cosmetics with such additives can cause contact dermatitis of varying severity.

Vitamin preparations are not as harmless as many people think. Incorrect use of these funds can harm the body in the form of allergies or intoxication (to a greater extent, this applies to vitamin B12).

If taking multivitamin complexes caused an allergic reaction, additional research is needed. They will help to determine exactly which representative of group B acted as the allergen. For this purpose, skin tests are carried out: drip, scarification and intradermal, as well as a blood test for immunoglobulins. Based on such analyzes, the doctor will be able to choose the most suitable diet and drug therapy regimen.