It also explains why cannabis allergies occur and how they are diagnosed and treated.
The timing of symptoms is largely influenced by whether you smoke, eat, or touch cannabis.
Smoking
Smoking marijuana is the most common use of recreational or medical cannabis.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Firsthand or secondhand exposure to cannabis smoke may cause respiratory symptoms likeasthmaorallergic rhinitis(hay fever).
Other people may have systemic (whole-body) reactions affecting the skin and other organs.
In some cases,moldon improperly stored cannabis can trigger allergy symptoms when inhaled.
The release of IgE sets off a chain reaction in cells that spurs the release of another chemical calledhistamine.
The IgE response can result from inhaling, smoking, touching, or eating cannabis allergens.
If needed, they may refer you to anallergistto undergoallergy testing.
There are no specific tests for cannabis allergy.
With a skin prick test, the reaction may occur in as short as 15 minutes.
If you are using marijuana for medicinal purposes, this may be difficult.
Talk to your provider.
They might suggestalternative treatmentoptions for your condition.
Some people need tocarry more than oneEpi-pen just to be safe.
When you’re free to’t Avoid Exposure
Sometimes, avoiding airborne exposure to marijuana is challenging.
This is often true for people who work in the cannabis industry or live with someone who smokes pot.
If you think you’re allergic to weed, avoiding it will help prevent symptoms.
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American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Marijuana cannabis allergy.
doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.810
Allergy & Asthma web link.Marijuana allergy is no laughing matter.
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Decuyper II, Van gasse AL, Cop N, et al.Cannabis sativa allergy: looking through the fog.Allergy.
2017;119(6):570-571. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2017.10.028
