Order a xanthan gum allergy IgE blood test to detect an allergy to xanthan gum. This test measures the amount of allergen-specific antibodies in a blood sample.
Xanthan gum is an additive found in food, industrial, and personal care products. It comes from sugar which can is derived from many places, including dairy, corn, soy, and wheat.
It is used to help the consistency, flavor, texture, shelf life, and appearance of many foods. Xanthan gum also stabilizes foods helping to withstand different temperatures and pH levels and prevents foods from separating.
Common foods that contain xanthan gum include:
- Fruit juices
- Salad dressings
- Soups
- Bakery products
- Sauces and gravies
- Ice creams
- Sauces and gravies
- Gluten-free products
- Syrups
- Low-fat foods
Because of xanthan gum's ability to withstand a wide range of temperatures and pH levels, adhere to surfaces, and thicken liquids, it is used in a wide range of industrial goods.
Industrial products that commonly contain xanthan gum include:
- Fungicides, herbicides and insecticides
- Paints
- Grout
- Tile
- Toilet bowl cleaners
- Adhesives like wallpaper glue
- Fluids used in oil drilling
Many personal care and beauty items contain xanthan gum. It enables these products to be thick while also allowing them to spill freely out of their containers.
Personal care products that commonly contain xanthan gum include:
- Creams
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Lotions
An allergy to xanthan gum triggers a reaction in an individual's immune system. The body views certain substances as toxic and produces IgE antibodies to these contaminants. These antibodies cause histamine to be released, which will cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Allergy symptoms vary from one individual to the next ranging from mild to severe reactions, which can be experienced within minutes to hours after exposure. Common symptoms of a xanthan gum allergy may include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Headaches
- Skin lesions
- Hives
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy watery eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Cough
- Hoarseness
- Swelling of the lips and tongue
- Breathing difficulty
