Symptoms, Causes, and What to Avoid
Olive oil or olive allergy is very rare. In fact, you’re more likely to experience the benefits of olive oil.
Olive oil is made from crushing olives—small fruit that grows on olive trees. The oil from the olives is then extracted through a manufacturing process. The result is a tasty liquid with lots of health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing cancer risk.
This article discusses olive oil allergy symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
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Olive Allergy
Olives grow in temperate, dry climates, mainly around the Mediterranean. They’re also farmed in some U.S. states, including California, Texas, and Florida.
Where olive trees grow, people can experience seasonal allergies due to olive pollen. Olive pollen allergy is relatively common and can trigger allergic rhinitis, with symptoms like sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and a stuffy nose.
An allergy to olives is much rarer, and an olive oil allergy is even more unlikely. That’s because olive oil contains very few proteins, thanks to the manufacturing process that extracts the oil.
Since it’s so rare, there’s little research or data on olive oil allergies. However, one study reports only 20 cases of allergic reactions to olive oil on the skin.
Symptoms
There’s no clear set of symptoms for an olive oil allergy. However, if you have an allergy to olive oil, you may experience symptoms of food allergies, including:
- Hives
- Stomach cramping, nausea, and vomiting
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing
- Trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the mouth or tongue
- Dizziness of feeling faint
An olive oil allergy could also cause symptoms of contact dermatitis, a skin irritation that can be triggered by allergens. Symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
- Rash, which may be red, itchy, or burning
- Blisters
- Swelling
- Pain
In extremely rare cases, a food allergy can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening shock response. If you have trouble breathing, experience changes to your cognition, or feel faint, call 911 immediately.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of food allergies, including an olive oil allergy, can be tricky. Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests, skin prick tests, or an elimination diet. These can detect an olive allergy but not an olive oil allergy.
Keeping a journal may speed up your diagnosis. Write down what you eat and document symptoms when they occur. This can help your healthcare provider understand what might be causing your allergy. Remember, even if you are diagnosed with an olive allergy, it’s unlikely that you’re allergic to olive oil.
Treatment
If you have an olive oil allergy, you should avoid olive oil. That can be tricky since olive oil is a common ingredient in foods, cosmetics, and other products. Use caution when using the following and always read their labels:
- Olive oil
- Cooking spray
- Mayonnaise
- Salad dressings
- Chips, popcorn, and other manufactured foods
- Baked goods
- Facial cleansers
- Lotions
- Shampoos and hair products
Olive Oil Substitutes
Great substitutes are available if you’re trying to cut back on or eliminate olive oil. For skin health, try:
- Almond oil
- Coconut oil
- Argan oil
- Tea tree oil
- Apple cider vinegar
For cooking substitutes, try:
- Grapeseed oil
- Canola oil
- Sunflower oil
- Coconut oil
- Walnut oil
- Peanut oil
- Avocado oil
- Butter or ghee
Summary
An olive oil allergy is extremely rare. Even if you’re allergic to olives, which is also rare, you’re likely able to eat and use olive oil because it contains few olive oil proteins. If you experience food allergy symptoms when you use olive oil, it’s best to remove it from your diet and daily routines and replace it with an alternative like coconut oil.
A Word From Verywell
Although an olive oil allergy is rare, it’s possible. If you believe you might be allergic to olive oil, keep a detailed journal of your symptoms and talk to your healthcare provider. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and seek help identifying the root cause of your symptoms.
