Green Tea Allergy - Hives/Welts, Itching and Burning

by Jill Mayer
(Louisville, KY)

My mother started 3 days ago with her whole body covered in hives/welts/itching/burning/swelling. The only thing different is she started drinking hot green tea.

She's had a prednisone shot, taking pills now, taking Atarax, and still no relief. She looked a little better 15 minutes ago, and then drank the tea. Now it's as bad as ever.

We are starting to suspect the tea. Is this possible? For the record, she is allergic to many things. This is the only thing that has changed recently. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Answer:

Jill, tea in general contains polyphenols and caffeine (especially!) which may result in allergy in some individuals.

The allergies I have heard some far includes tongue and skin. Tea can also result in stomach upset, but that is probably not due to allergy reactions.

The symptoms that your mum is experiencing seems to be much more severe. You ask if the tea would have caused it. I think the answer is a definitive yes, especially your mum has a strong record of allergic reactions.

Hot green tea is not much different than the common tea (called black tea) Westerners drink, which usually contains even more caffeine. If your mum has been allergic to black tea before, then it is possible that she is also allergic to green tea.

If it helps, you may also let me know which type of green tea your mum is taking. Some green tea is more processed than others, and that might be the cause (due to additives introduced during the processing).

I wish your mum well. Given the severity of your mum's symptoms, please do not take my reply as medical advice. You may want to consult with your health adviser for a possible cure.

I hope this helps. I am keeping a track on all the tea allergies readers have suggested on the link below, please feel free to comment and add to them.

Tea and Allergy

Best regards and take care
Julian

Comments for
Green Tea Allergy - Hives/Welts, Itching and Burning

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 21, 2009
Rating

Green tea and sickness
by: Jane

Hi unfortunately I too have a strange reaction to green tea. within 5 minutes of drinking it I become nauseous and develop a thumping headache and then I vomit.

The headache then subsides and I feel fine about half an hour later. I have tried different brands of tea but the result is the same. No more green tea for me!

Feb 22, 2009
Rating

Green tea reaction/allergy/anaphylactic shock
by: Karen

Two incidents happened to me before I realized I have a violent reaction to green tea.

First time at a Chinese restaurant where I asked for Jasmine tea. They had none but brought me copious cups of green tea. That night while sleeping I began to vomit, my husband tried to get me up so I would not aspirate. I don't remember more than 2 minutes, but he said I was up for 30. I do remember once him asking me if I wanted him to call 911 and I could only say numbers, and no words.

The next time, I tried the supplement Theanine
not knowing it is the EGCG which is what makes green tea effective. It is a concentrated form. Similar thing happened, only this time my husband could not get me to respond. Called 911, at 3 a.m. I had vomited and was not arousable. I woke up at 10 a.m. in the ER. The only thing they found on tests abnormal was potassium level.

I was taken to the neurologists office and I told her I thought it was the theanine. She had never heard of it. The back of the bottle said something about that it affects the brain waves causing relaxation. Bingo - I think that is my problem. It does something to my brain waves that is not good. Anyone else ever have anything like this? Regular tea does not cause this.

Feb 25, 2009
Rating

Tea Allergy
by: Julian

Karen/Jane

Really sympathize with your allergic reactions. And thank you for sharing your experience with the readers.

As for Karen, I just want to say I am surprised that theanine has caused reactions. May I confirm that what you took was 100% theanine and nothing else?

If you don't mind sharing, who is the manufacturer?

The reason I am surprised is because theanine is a form of amino acids with very mild side effects at extreme high doses. Compared to green tea, I would say it is safer.

The supplement is manufactured synthetically - so it is not even exposed to farming contamination.

My research summarized here...

Theanine Side Effects -
Can Too Much Be Harmful?

Could it be a case of bad manufacturing practice? We don't know.

So you have experienced is surprising, and very important. Thank you again for sharing.

Feb 27, 2009
Rating

Terrible skin rash from green tea
by: Anonymous

Oh my god. you wouldn't believe the nightmare I've been through in the last six months. It all started when I began drinking green tea on a daily basis.

Suddenly I started getting this horrible rash that would not go away. Then my normal blood pressure became high. By the time I realized it was the green tea, my skin was covered with marks. Now I have disfiguring scars left over from horrible lesions.

Had I known something as innocent as a cup a tea in the morning would ruin my life, I would have never ever touched the stuff. I will never drink any herbal tea ever never again.

Mar 24, 2009
Rating

Green tea allergy can result in hives
by: Anonymous

I started drinking green tea about 2 months ago and started to itch, developed rashes on my back and neck. Did not connect this to drinking green tea. A few weeks later, I went to Asia, drank green tea and was slightly itchy. Still did not connect the dots. On the second day of my travels, I had some soup which unknown to me, contained crabmeat, which I am allergic to. I developed HUGE itchy bumps on my arms and legs, itched for days. Benydryl only helped temporarily relieve the itching.

Went to a Dr. in Hong Kong, he gave me a shot and some pills as well as a topical ointment. He said it was a severe reaction to the crab. All the itching and rashes disappeared the next morning and I stayed on the meds for 7 days ... still drinking the green tea but was fine. No itching. Then after I finished the meds, on the flight home, I asked for a cup of green tea on the plane. Slight itching developed at my neck which I thought was maybe a heat rash. Didn't drink any green tea when I got home the first few days.

Two days ago, I had a couple of cups of green tea .. the itching came back as well as rashes on my arm, neck and back. So I went on-line and to my surprise, read that HIVES is a severe allergy reaction to green tea ! Green tea is NOT the healthy tonic it's touted to be ! In fact,I also read that as I have high blood pressure and am diabetic ... I SHOULD NOT be drinking green tea at all ! THIS SHOULD BE LABLED ON ALL GREEN TEAS !

I'm seeing my Dr, this afternoon and will ask for allergy tests ... if what I suspect is true .. that green tea can cause hives, I will leave another post. Go to : Drugs.com ... check out Green Tea side effects. I will contact the FDA, suggest you do the same if your symptoms are like mine at : 1 - 800 - 332 - 1088.

X Close Editor

Mar 24, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Anonymous

Title

Comment
I started drinking green tea about 2 months ago and started to itch, developed rashes on my back and neck. Did not connect this to drinking green tea. A few weeks later, I went to Asia, drank green tea and was slightly itchy. Still did not connect the dots. On the second day of my travels, I had some soup which unknown to me, contained crabmeat, which I am allergic to. I developed HUGE itchy bumps on my arms and legs, itched for days. Benydryl only helped temporarily relieve the itching. Went to a Dr. in Hong Kong, he gave me a shot and some pills as well as a topical ointment. He said it was a severe reaction to the crab. All the itching and rashes disappeared the next morning and I stayed on the meds for 7 days ... still drinking the green tea but was fine. No itching. Then after I finished the meds, on the flight home, I asked for a cup of green tea on the plane. Slight itching developed at my neck which I thought was maybe a heat rash. Didn't drink any green tea when I got home the first few days. Two days ago, I had a couple of cups of green tea .. the itching came back as well as rashes on my arm, neck and back. So I went on-line and to my surprise, read that HIVES is a severe allergy reaction to green tea ! Green tea is NOT the healthy tonic it's touted to be ! In fact,I also read that as I have high blood pressure and am diabetic ... I SHOULD NOT be drinking green tea at all ! THIS SHOULD BE LABLED ON ALL GREEN TEAS ! I'm seeing my Dr, this afternoon and will ask for allergy tests ... if what I suspect is true .. that green tea can cause hives, I will leave another post. Go to : Drugs.com ... check out Green Tea side effects. I will contact the FDA, suggest you do the same if your symptoms are like mine at : 1 - 800 - 332 - 1088.

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Apr 19, 2009
Rating

Drink it yeah right I can't even touch it
by: Falon

I have a swelling and hives reaction to I can't even touch it or anything its in and it is an immediate reaction.

Apr 19, 2009
Rating

Green tea/theanine reaction
by: Anonymous

Sorry I just saw a comment to my first post.

I believe Sun was the manufacturer of the theanine I took. I do believe with me it has an effect on my brain waves and causes a stroke like reaction. I hope none else has this reaction.

May 03, 2009
Rating

Hives
by: Anonymous

I am trying to be healthy and not drink as much soda and energy drinks and began drinking green tea. I was taking antibiotics for a lung infection and after fininishing the meds started to break out into hives. My doctor said sometimes that happens after finishing antibiotics. Well it's going on two weeks and I am still getting hives. I started brainstorming about eating anything different and the only change was the green tea. I will stop drinking it and report back to this web site to let everyone know. Thanks to everyone for reporting their symptoms. I have never had hives before in my 37 years of living. Frustrating.

May 07, 2009
Rating

Hives :(
by: Anonymous

May 7th and still have hives. I don't if it is was the green tea or antibiotics, so I am going to see if my doctor will allow me to go to an allergist instead of just putting on allergy meds, I would like to get to the root of the problem. I have never had these before as I have mentioned in my last posting. My doctor said it could be from the mold outside. Mold count is 25,000. Does anyone get hives worse first thing in the morning? When I first get up is when I have them and they are extremely itchy.

Jul 02, 2009
Rating

Allergic to tea
by: Adam

I no longer drink tea due to allergies, though every once in a while I'll consume a product with "tea extract" in it and break out in hives. At other times, I've had to go to the ER.

Jul 09, 2009
Rating

Little red bumps
by: Anonymous

Yesterday morning I woke up with a rash on my upper chest in the vally region above my bra. I first thought it was just prickly heat and when it started itching I applied the betamethasone valerate cream that I have for poison ivy as I am very allergic to that and preach to everyone "leaves of three leave them be!"

Once I got to work my back started to itch and had co-worker look at it and she told me I had the same bumps on my back so then I thought it was a the sleeveless shirt I wore the day before my Mom had given me.

I thought maybe she had used a different detergent to wash it because I've had those issues in the past too.

On my way home I drank a bottle of Diet-K (Kroger brand) green tea with berries and later that evening the rash was up my neck, chin, and inner and outside of my arms so then I knew it was not the shirt and the only thing different is buy the green tea to stop drinking so much Diet Coke.

I was making pitchers of Lipton cold brew which I believe is black tea and had no issues nor when I drink Lipton white tea.

I am going to stay off the green tea keep taking my claritin and see if the rash goes away. I will report those findings especially if I try to reintroduce the green tea and the bumps come back.

Jul 22, 2009
Rating

Not sure if Green Tea is the cause for my hibes
by: Ailene

This is such an informative site/forum. I never thought that green tea could have such effects.

I've been drinking green tea & oolong tea for the last 2 years and haven't had any side effects as such.

I broke out in hives 2 weeks ago and it hasn't stopped.

I've been keeping a daily food diary and I'm not eating/drinking anything out of the norm.

After I read this forum, i just realised that I changed Green Tea from my usual one as they didn't have it at the supermarket.

Could this be the cause???

Aug 22, 2009
Rating

Itchy skin in the evening
by: susan salazar

I have always drank herbal green tea without any problems of itching. My itching is severe in the evenings my skin will turns red hot with welds after I scratch the skin.

This itching started 2 months ago when the doctor discovered I had a vitamin D deficiency. The deficiency has been resolved so I don't think my itching is due to that.

I have made a doctor's appointment for next week hopefully the doctor can subscript something for this itching.

Jan 14, 2010
Rating

Vitamin K
by: Anonymous

I'd like to try green tea but am a little apprehensive because I understand it contains vitamin K.

I once took a medication containing principally this vitamin and within ten minutes I felt my face burning. When I looked in the mirror it was as if I had been sunbathing all day.

The effect didn't last long, but was very frightening. Anyone had a similar experience?

Jan 14, 2010
Rating

Headaches
by: Lisa

I love the taste and benefits of green tea, but I always get headaches. I know it's not the stevia I use, and I don't get them with herbal teas, only the green.

I don't want to quit drinking green tea, but sometimes the headaches get pretty bad

Jan 31, 2010
Rating

Excema/Rash Under Arms
by: Anonymous

About two months ago I gave up coffee and started drinking green tea instead. I usually consume about four cups a day, sometimes more, sometimes less.

About a month ago I noticed red splotched under my arms. I thought I might be having a reaction to my new antiperspirant so went back to my old brand. No improvement. No change in laundry detergent.

I showed my doctor and he said it was excema, I was having a reaction to something in my system.

I thought it might be Oil of Oregano, something else I've been taking, but I stopped that almost a month ago and the rash is still here and has become worse.

They are red splotches that are sort of dry. The skin flakes off and leaves a red mark underneath.

The doctor did prescribe an ointment but I haven't filled the 'script yet because I wanted to see if something nature might work first.

Could this be an allergy to green tea?

Feb 12, 2010
Rating

Allergy to Lipton Tea?
by: Ann

I had a hip replacement and came home fine. After one week, my tongue swelled so bad I couldn't talk. The ER gave me several meds IV and suggested it might be Advil. After two more incidents, which I was able to control with Allegra and Benadryl, I have decided it is Lipton Tea. I ran out of my regular brand and found this in my pantry.

I am convinced it is this.

Mar 08, 2010
Rating

Reaction to tea
by: Rose Henry

I have consumed many kinds of teas over the years and never had a reaction until last week. I was served tea at a Chinese restaurant. The tea was thick as if it was from a concentrate.

My reaction started within three hours and was at first confined to my chest, back, and shoulders. Within 24 hours it had spread to my neck and face - raised welts, inflamed skin, and itchiness.

I think for me freshly brewed teas are okay but the concentrate with possible additives is the problem.

May 10, 2010
Rating

Allergic to green tea
by: Anonymous

I recently started to drink green tea for weight loss. My face started burning, got flushed, itchy n get hives. all along i thought it was my high blood pressure med.

Thanks to all of you i know it's the green tea.

This is it for me no more green tea. I forgot also bad headaches.

Thanks again.

May 11, 2010
Rating

I have never tried the green tea but allergic
by: Anonymous

I have never tried drinking green tea simply because I didn't think I would like it, however, have discovered that I am probably extremely allergic to anything that has it in it.

Several years ago I began using a toner that had green tea extract and after about two weeks, my face became inflamed, itchy, and scaly along the cheekbones. I stopped using it and my face finally cleared up almost a month later.

Two months ago I began using a new line of skin care and two weeks later began to experience the same symptoms I had earlier. My cheekbones became red and inflamed and had intense itching around my eyes. It gradually spread to my whole face and I felt as if my face was one huge welt. My cheeks even hurt when I touched them. When I examined the ingredient list, I found that both the facial serum and eye serum contained green tea extract.

I immediately stopped using these items and my face is now beginning to heal. Now I have to examine the ingredient list of any type of skin care before I purchase it to make sure it doesn't contain any green tea, no matter how minimal the amount.

Jun 07, 2010
Rating

Red, hot, itchy welts!!
by: Anonymous

I have been drinking green tea for about a year. After reading this page, I believe the green tea is the problem. I get the same symptoms every evening.

Last year, I had hives for 3 months straight. I took several rounds of steroids, which did not help my diabetes.

After several months on Zyrtec, Allegra, Singular, Ranitidine, I still had hives.

BYE,BYE GREEN TEA! No more green tea as of today. I will post back in a week.

Jun 14, 2010
Rating

Allergy to tea
by: Anonymous

I just looked up hives and itching,and all this stuff about green tea being the cause seems true. Any tea seems to give me these huge welts and itching problem,morning noon and night.

Foods must be carefully chosen because their effects on our bodies can make or break our day.

I am keeping a journal, so many foods bother me, even if i have to live on water and bread I WILL.

Allergies are hard to live with, anything with a green leaf or any wild greens you eat be aware.

The hives and itching will come, someone with pull, please let these tea mfgs understand that they must put a label or note on their product that their teas will effect allergic persons.

Thank you,
mg

Jun 22, 2010
Rating

Tea allergy
by: Anonymous

This morning I was drinking green tea for the first time in many years since I never really enjoyed it and I looked down to realize as I was drinking it I also was scratching my arms. Where I had been scratching were red hives that I have never had before. I think it is definitely possible to be allergic to green tea and think that I am allergic to it.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Tea Forum

Home
Forum
Here

Twitter Julian

Amazing Green Tea on Facebook

Green Tea Allergy - Hives/Welts, Itching and Burning

Comments for Green Tea Allergy - Hives/Welts, Itching and Burning

Amazing Green Tea

Comments for
Green Tea Allergy - Hives/Welts, Itching and Burning