About Joint Pain Caused by Allergies

Joint pain is caused by many illnesses and conditions. It can also be caused by allergies. Your reaction to food, the environment or a drug can trigger your immune system to work overtime. The result is inflammation. The inflammation can affect your joints as well as any other area of your body. There are treatments available to relieve your discomfort.

Food Allergies

Typically you expect food allergies to cause symptoms like swelling, rash and vomiting. They can also affect your joints. Some common foods that cause allergic reactions are caffeine, citrus, dairy, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat and yeast.

Environmental Allergies

Environmental allergies bring about symptoms of sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, coughing and sort throat. However, in some cases environmental allergies can also cause you to have joint and muscle pain. Environmental allergies can include pollen, mold, chemicals, paint and even household cleaners.

Drug Allergies

Drug allergies are different than drug side effects. If you have an adverse reaction to a drug, it is typically considered to be a side effect. However, if you experience the same reaction when you take it again, it is most likely an allergy to the drug. Drug allergies include many symptoms such as skin rash or hives as well as muscle and joint pains.

Treatment

Allergic reactions may be treated with antihistamines such as Benedryl, corticosteroids taken either orally or by injection and in emergency situations an injection of epinephrine is given. Treatment for joint pain includes anti-inflammatory medications, topical analgesics and soaking in a very warm tub with Epsom salts. These remedies should alleviate some of your joint discomfort until the allergen is completely out of your system.

Warning

Life threatening symptoms of a food or drug allergy include difficulty breathing, fainting, rapid or erratic heartbeat and severe swelling of the face, lips, hands, tongue and joints. If you experience this type of reaction you need to seek emergency medical treatment. There is no way to prevent allergic reactions until they happen. If you know you are allergic to a specific drug, you should wear a medical alert bracelet in the event of the need for emergency treatment.