Citric Acid Intolerance

Citric acid is an essential nutrient for the human body. However, consumption of excess citric acid may lead to acid intolerance in a person whose body is not accustomed to consuming products that have a high percentage of citric acid or if he/she suffers from citric acid indigestion. But it is very important to remember that citric acid intolerance stands opposed to citric acid allergy. Though some symptoms are quite similar in both cases, they are two separate disorders in medical terms. The common man often makes a mistake by terming citric acid intolerance as allergy caused by citric acid. Therefore, whenever you experience any problem after consuming citrus products, it is advisable to refer a doctor, preferably a skin or allergy specialist, before you take necessary medication. Citric acid intolerance occurs when the body lacks the enzymes or chemicals required for the digestion of the acid. Listed below are the symptoms associated with citric acid intolerance.

Symptoms Of Citric Acid Intolerance

Dry skin is one of the most common symptoms of citric acid intolerance. If your system cannot digest citric acid, your skin will gradually become rough and dry. It may appear white in patches and may look scaly to the normal eye.
Itching of the skin’s surface is another symptom of citric acid intolerance. Itching follows dryness. So, as soon as your skin gets dry, it will automatically start scratching.
Rashes may also occur on the surface of skin when you suffer from citric acid intolerance. The red rashes may erupt in the form of sores or just show itself with the change of color and texture of the skin.
Bloating is another symptom that is normally seen in citric acid intolerance.
Frequent bouts of nausea and the tendency to vomit accompany citric acid intolerance. We know that when a person suffers from a stomach disorder, he often feels nauseated, and since citric acid intolerance is also related to indigestion, a vomiting tendency follows.
You experience various stomach problems when you suffer from citric acid intolerance. The problems range from spasm of the stomach muscles, popularly known as stomach cramps, to serious conditions like diarrhea. These too are directly related to indigestion.
Abdominal problems such as excessive pain and frequent cramps in the abdomen are also felt if you suffer from citric acid intolerance.
The external manifestation of citric acid intolerance is mostly seen in the form of different types of skin problems. The occurrence of dark circles is one such symptom. In this, the skin under the eyes turns darker, often black, than the skin of the rest of the face.
Though infrequent, mouth ulcers may occur as a result of citric acid intolerance. These are sores inside the mouth.
A similar uncommon occurrence is that of sore throat as the effect of citric acid intolerance. You may have noticed that many people are against consuming citrus fruits when they catch a cold because they feel that it would aggravate the problem in the form of a sore throat.
Anaphylaxis is one of the most severe consequences of citric acid intolerance. The failure of the system to digest citric acid may cause anaphylaxis which manifests itself in the form of respiratory or heart ailments, skin disorders or gastrointestinal problems. Anaphylaxis is sometimes fatal.

Prevention of Citric Acid Intolerance

For people who are intolerant to citric acid, try to eat homemade food as far as possible. Outside food is more than not contaminated and disturbs the digestive tract.
If you have consumed citrus products by mistake, immediately consume vitamin B5. It counter reacts to nullify the ill effects of citric acid and stops or reduces the occurrence of citric acid intolerance.

Citric acid intolerance though rare is not uncommon. Check for the symptoms and see whether or not you are citric acid intolerant.

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