Is It Possible to Be Allergic to Cannabis?
Runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sore or scratchy throat – if you’ve ever suffered from allergies then you know how that all feels and then some. A lot of the time – especially with pollen and other allergens that travel through the air – it can be hard to determine the source of the allergic reaction.
Other times however, it might be something that you can easily figure out – especially if the allergic reaction has never happened before. For a surprising number, this was how they found out that they just might be allergic to marijuana.
Could You Be Allergic to Cannabis?
If you’ve only recently decided to try marijuana – either for medicinal or recreational curiosity – and you felt the familiar sensation of allergies creeping up along with your buzz, you probably aren’t just paranoid from the weed. Interestingly, since legalization has spread it has become more common for people to find out that cannabis just doesn’t get along with their body.
What Are the Symptoms of a Marijuana Allergy?
Unsurprisingly, the symptoms of an allergy to marijuana is the same as you would expect for most other allergies.
Signs and Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Cannabis Include:
- Dry cough
- Congestion
- Itchy eyes
- Nausea
- Red or watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore or itchy throat
Something you might notice here is that some of these symptoms are also side effects of the cannabis itself. For example, red eyes or a sore throat or a dry cough could all be attributed to the fact that you just smoked weed. However, if these symptoms persist long after you’ve consumed – or occur also from secondhand smoke, edibles or topicals – then chances are you might be allergic to cannabis.
Speaking of topicals however – handling cannabis, either in raw bud form or from infused topicals – can cause allergic reactions that are described as contact dermatitis.
Signs and Symptoms of a Skin Allergy to Cannabis:
- Blisters
- Dry skin
- Hives
- Itchiness
- Red, inflamed skin
How Do You Treat a Weed Allergy?
While it is not the most likely allergen, you can’t deny some allergic reactions. However, if you want to be 100% sure that you need to stop toking up to stop the symptoms then you can have it confirmed through blood or skin tests. An allergist, a specialist that works with allergies, should be able to perform these routine tests – and you can likely find out about other allergens to avoid as well.
Unfortunately, there is no way to truly treat a weed allergy – other than abstaining from the plant all together. This may be harder to do if you live near somewhere that cannabis is grown outside. After all, just like any other plant, the pollen can travel through the air, which could have it wafting through your yard. Other than complete avoidance, you can always turn to OTC allergy medications and see how that fairs for you – especially if you’ve been relying on cannabis to avoid other more dangerous medications.