Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOlive AllergySymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentOlive Oil SubstitutesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Olive Allergy
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Olive Oil Substitutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Olive oil or olive allergy is very rare. In fact, you’re more likely to experience thebenefits 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 loweringblood pressureand reducingcancerrisk.
This article discusses olive oil allergy symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
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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 triggerallergic 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.
There’s no clear set of symptoms for an olive oil allergy. However, if you have an allergy to olive oil, you may experiencesymptoms of food allergies, including:
In extremely rare cases, a food allergy can triggeranaphylaxis, a life-threatening shock response. If you have trouble breathing, experience changes to your cognition, or feel faint, call 911 immediately.
The diagnosis of food allergies, including an olive oil allergy, can be tricky. Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests, skin prick tests, or anelimination 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.
6 Reasons You Should Add Extra-Virgin Olive Oil to Your Diet Today
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:
Can Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Really Treat Health Conditions?
Great substitutes are available if you’re trying to cut back on or eliminate olive oil. For skin health, try:
For cooking substitutes, try:
Cooking Oils and Food Allergies: What To Know
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.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSince olive oil allergy is not well understood, there’s no research on whether you can have an olive oil allergy without being allergic to olives. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms, track them in a journal and talk to your healthcare provider, who can help determine whether olive oil allergy is the correct diagnosis.Yes, people with nut allergies can have olive oil. Extra-virgin olive oil is considered one of the safest oils for people with nut allergies.Olive oil has 119 calories per tablespoon, so eating too much of it could lead to weight gain. Most people shouldn’t consume more than 5 to 7 teaspoons of olive oil daily.No, olive oil is considered a healthy fat with many benefits, from improving cardiovascular health tosoothing skin conditions. However, like all foods, it’s important to consume olive oil in moderation.
Since olive oil allergy is not well understood, there’s no research on whether you can have an olive oil allergy without being allergic to olives. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms, track them in a journal and talk to your healthcare provider, who can help determine whether olive oil allergy is the correct diagnosis.
Yes, people with nut allergies can have olive oil. Extra-virgin olive oil is considered one of the safest oils for people with nut allergies.
Olive oil has 119 calories per tablespoon, so eating too much of it could lead to weight gain. Most people shouldn’t consume more than 5 to 7 teaspoons of olive oil daily.
No, olive oil is considered a healthy fat with many benefits, from improving cardiovascular health tosoothing skin conditions. However, like all foods, it’s important to consume olive oil in moderation.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Guasch-Ferré M, Li Y, Willett WC, et al.Consumption of olive oil and risk of total and cause-specific mortality among U.S. adults.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(2):101-112. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.10.041Foscolou A, Critselis E, Panagiotakos D.Olive oil consumption and human health: a narrative review.Maturitas. 2018;118:60-66. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.10.013American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergies: does an olive allergy mean I have to avoid olive oil?Isaksson M, Bruze M.Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from olive oil in a masseur.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.1999;41(2):312–315. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(99)70372-5American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy.University of Maine.Bulletin #4393, eating for health with MyPlate: oils.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Guasch-Ferré M, Li Y, Willett WC, et al.Consumption of olive oil and risk of total and cause-specific mortality among U.S. adults.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(2):101-112. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.10.041Foscolou A, Critselis E, Panagiotakos D.Olive oil consumption and human health: a narrative review.Maturitas. 2018;118:60-66. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.10.013American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergies: does an olive allergy mean I have to avoid olive oil?Isaksson M, Bruze M.Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from olive oil in a masseur.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.1999;41(2):312–315. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(99)70372-5American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy.University of Maine.Bulletin #4393, eating for health with MyPlate: oils.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Guasch-Ferré M, Li Y, Willett WC, et al.Consumption of olive oil and risk of total and cause-specific mortality among U.S. adults.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(2):101-112. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.10.041Foscolou A, Critselis E, Panagiotakos D.Olive oil consumption and human health: a narrative review.Maturitas. 2018;118:60-66. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.10.013American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergies: does an olive allergy mean I have to avoid olive oil?Isaksson M, Bruze M.Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from olive oil in a masseur.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.1999;41(2):312–315. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(99)70372-5American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy.University of Maine.Bulletin #4393, eating for health with MyPlate: oils.
Guasch-Ferré M, Li Y, Willett WC, et al.Consumption of olive oil and risk of total and cause-specific mortality among U.S. adults.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(2):101-112. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.10.041
Foscolou A, Critselis E, Panagiotakos D.Olive oil consumption and human health: a narrative review.Maturitas. 2018;118:60-66. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.10.013
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergies: does an olive allergy mean I have to avoid olive oil?
Isaksson M, Bruze M.Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from olive oil in a masseur.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.1999;41(2):312–315. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(99)70372-5
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy.
University of Maine.Bulletin #4393, eating for health with MyPlate: oils.
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