Seasonal allergies can strike at any time of the year. Most commonly, people experience symptoms of seasonal allergies in the spring and early summer, when blooms and plant growth trigger pollen allergies.
But people who suffer from allergy symptoms can also experience a surge of reactions in the fall as well. Or anytime they are exposed to environmental irritants that trigger an immune system response. Exposure to dust mites, mold, fungus, and more can cause uncomfortable allergy symptoms.
If you have seasonal allergies and you use medical cannabis to help with symptom management, you may wonder if cannabis can make seasonal allergy symptoms worse. Some people can experience allergic reactions when consuming specific types of medical cannabis products.
After taking your medical marijuana, if you have experienced nasal congestion (allergic rhinitis), a runny nose, symptoms of hay fever, skin itchiness, or other skin reactions, there may be a link. Let’s take a look at what cannabis allergy symptoms may look like and what you can do to avoid or reduce the allergic responses.
Can You Develop an Allergy to Cannabis?
Yes, you can develop an allergy to cannabis, like any other substance. Most people who experience cannabis allergies experience sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and rashes. There are proteins that are present in cannabis plants that can trigger human allergic reactions.
Some people are sensitive to plant proteins. Cannabis allergies are frequently associated with lipid transfer protein (LTP). This protein is also found in other plants and vegetables. However, there are other allergenic compounds in the cannabis plant.
According to a 2022 study, “Cannabis-related allergies: An international overview and consensus recommendations,” the prevalence of cannabis allergies is rising in all four categories of use: medicinal, recreational, occupational, and exposure (non-intentional).
The most common routes of exposure are:
- Smokable cannabis.
- Pollen.
- Ingestion.
- Contact with plants (personal use, cultivation, processing, or retail sale).
While researchers have identified many different types of cannabis allergens, there are four that have been accepted as known to trigger allergic reactions by the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Subcommittee.
The common allergens found in cannabis include:
- Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (RuBisCo).
- Adenosine triphosphate synthase.
- Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.
- Phosphoglycerate kinase.
- Heat shock protein 70.
- 63 thaumatin-like protein.
- 64 peptinesterases.
- Polygalactouranases.
The natural carbohydrates found in cannabis plants may also contribute to allergic reactions. That is because glycoproteins interact with other carbohydrates, known as cross-reactive carbohydrate domains (CCDs).
Allergic reactions can be common and noticeable among people who experience asthma symptoms. However, people who have no preexisting allergies (including problems with seasonal allergies) may also have or develop a weed allergy.
Some Cannabis Intake Methods May Increase Your Risk of Allergic Reactions
Cannabis pollen grains are present in plant material, and natural fats from the cannabis plant are present in a variety of products. So, it is possible to have allergic reactions to products like tinctures, cannabis vapes, and concentrated cannabis, such as wax or budder.
Your highest probability of experiencing allergic reactions to cannabis is when you are in direct contact with plant material. If you smoke flower, you are handling raw plant materials as you prepare to grind the cannabis, pack your pipe, or roll a cone.
Using decarboxylated cannabis at home to make infused foods can also pose a lower-than-average risk of experiencing cannabis allergy symptoms. The reason is that when heat is applied to cannabis flower, it dries the plant material thoroughly. While it activates the THC content, it removes much of the stickiness of the bud, as well as natural oils and pollen.
The data on adverse effects from cannabis or hemp allergy sufferers is limited. Federal and state prohibition of cannabis has prevented many people from stepping forward to report symptoms or seek marijuana allergy treatment. Now that almost every state has legalized cannabis for medical use, the medical community has more data on marijuana allergy symptoms and treatment options.
Does Cannabis Make Seasonal Allergies Worse?
For some people who experience seasonal allergies, cannabis can make those symptoms worse. But it depends on the individual and also the type of cannabis they are using. Raw flower or cannabis plant material has a higher risk of triggering seasonal allergies than other types of products, such as vapes, capsules, or edibles.
Is It Possible for Hemp Products to Trigger Allergy Symptoms?
Whenever you experience allergic reactions to cannabis, it is not the THC that is causing the problem. Some people may feel that hemp products (which have lower THC content) may pose less of a risk of triggering allergic reaction. But the risk can be very much the same.
Hemp products, including soaps, textiles, clothing, or dietary supplements (hemp seeds), are all made from agricultural hemp extracts. Hemp is a member of the cannabis plant family and has many of the same fats, proteins, and pollen that marijuana plants have.
Contact with hemp or marijuana can cause eczema or hives. In extreme cases, where a severe allergic reaction occurs, it can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening adverse effect that requires emergency medical attention.
How Do You Find Out if You Are Allergic to Cannabis?
Experiencing allergic reactions becomes the start of an investigation into possible triggers. Patients need to understand what is causing the problem(s). Identifying allergic triggers can help prevent symptoms.
Allergy tests, such as the skin prick test, are an effective way to identify the source of allergic reactions. This method (also called an allergy scratch test) will also identify sensitivities to mold, pollen, nuts, and other common allergens.
A small amount of the allergen is applied to the skin during skin prick tests. When inflammation occurs at the site of the allergen on the skin’s surface, that is a positive test identifying the substance(s) that trigger your immune system and histamine response.
If a weed allergy is confirmed, the patient will be advised to eliminate contact with cannabis plants or products that contain cannabis oil. The patient may also be similarly allergic to hemp and hemp-derived medicinal or personal-care products.
Can Over-The-Counter Medications Help Reduce Cannabis Allergy Symptoms?
Yes, but before you self-medicate with over-the-counter allergy medications, you should speak to your doctor. While rare, some patients can develop life-threatening reactions to cannabis, particularly with frequent consumption of cannabis products.
Marijuana allergy symptoms like hay fever, nasal congestion, itchiness, or specific allergen responses may be helped by non-prescription medications at your local pharmacy. However, if you experience wheezing or any difficulty breathing, you should consult with a physician as soon as possible.
How to Reduce Allergic Reactions to Cannabis
It is easy to reduce your risk of having a contact allergic reaction with cannabis plant material. Using latex gloves to prevent skin-to-plant contact can help. The less the plant touches your skin directly, the lower your risk of having an allergic reaction.
Also, make sure that you are purchasing cannabis exclusively from a licensed dispensary, with quality control measures that reduce harmful mold and fungus in cannabis flower. Illicit suppliers or dealers do not have the same quality control measures in place. Illegal cannabis buds can have fungus, mold, pesticides, and, in some cases, heavy metal contamination.
Talk to Your Doctor About Cannabis and Allergy Symptoms
It is not just marijuana smokers that experience this problem. If you are using other types of cannabis products, such as edibles, vapes, or topicals, and experiencing allergic reactions, consult with your primary care provider.
It is important to note that some allergies can become worse as you age. And in rare occasions, allergies can cause a life-threatening incident. Get an allergy test done to identify potential allergens. And seek the guidance of your provider if you feel you may have a cannabis allergy.
Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.
