Salicylates

[Guest guest]

Hi , I stick to a low salicylate when I have a lot of hives. I say

low because so many foods contain salicylates that I think it might be

impossible to eliminate them altogether. My list came from the Auckland

Allergy Clinic. I find it quite difficult so when I just have the odd

pressure hive I am not so strict. Any other time I am too scared to come

off it. However when I come off it I am still careful not to have anything

I know for certain will cause me problems like spicey things or medication.

Do you have a food chart? Let me know if you need one and I will endevour

to type my one out.I am a slow typist but I don't have any other method of

sending it to you. The following is what is written on the first page.

Salicylate is a naturally occurring chemical found in many fruits,

vegetables herbs and spices, nuts, seeds, tea and coffee, honey jams,yeast,

beers and wines. Salicylate is also found in flavourings( especially

peppermint, eucalyptus oils, scented toiletries, liniments and some

medications( especially asprin).

An adverse reaction to Salicylate is an " intolerance " or a " sensitiviy "

rather than an allergy.

The more sensitive you are to salicylate, the less foods high in this

chemical you will be able to tolerate without developing an adverse

reaction. Depending on your threshold or tolerance level you may find that

small amounts of Salicylate have no effect while large amounts of

Salicylate containing foods upset you. Small amounts of Salicylate from a

variety of foods can slowly accumulate in your body. Therefore you will

need to be aware of your total Salicylate intake over a period of several

days or even longer to prevent chronic or recurrent symptoms.

Foods are listed according to their content of Salicylate, on the basis of

the " average " amount usually consumed in a meal.

Foods Low in Salicylate rarely cause a problem.

Foods with moderate and high Salicylate content may cause an adverse

reaction,depending on the amount you eat and how sensitive you are.

Foods Very High in Salicylate are the most likely to upset you and it is

unlikely that you will be able to eat much, if any of these foods.

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I have not found this a cure all for me but just one of the tools I use to

make life more tolerable when times are tough. Hope this is helpfull.

Kathy