A number of children as well as adults experience allergic symptoms when they eat chocolate. This happens when their bodies’ immune system reacts in a negative way to the chemicals contained in chocolate or to the ingredients present in chocolate. Chocolate allergy symptoms are similar in most cases to the symptoms of other food allergies. In most cases it is seen that people experience mild to moderate allergy symptoms which are not very dangerous and they go way automatically as they come .However in some rare but serious occurrences chocolate allergy symptoms may take the form of Anaphylaxis which is a life threatening allergic condition and needs urgent medical attention.

The severity of Chocolate allergy symptoms depends on the patient’s ability to fight the allergen. A person suffering from chocolate allergy may experience some or in some more serious cases a majority of the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Nausea
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Hives
• Eczema
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Hypertension
• Lack of attention(in children)
• Watery eyes
• Itchy and runny nose
• Nasal congestion and post nasal drip
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Allergic asthma
• Allergic shiners

In some people Chocolate allergy symptoms may surface minutes after eating the product while in some other people it may take several hours for the symptoms to develop and appear depending upon the quantity of chocolate that was eaten and also the individual’s tolerance level of chocolate.

In some rare cases it is found that an individual who is very sensitive to chocolate may develop Anaphylaxis. It is a very dangerous allergic reaction involving a number of body functions. Along with other functions Anaphylaxis can also disrupt the cardiovascular system of human body resulting in grave consequences for the sufferer. Anaphylaxis may come very suddenly without accompanied by any skin reactions or other common allergic reactions. This makes it more dangerous .It is regarded as medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Otherwise it can even kill its victim.

The symptoms of Anaphylaxis may include:

• Swelling of mouth, lips, tongue ,throat and the other airways to the lungs, as a result of which, the patient is unable to take breath
• Shock with sudden drop in the blood pressure level
• Dizziness and light headedness
• Rapid and abnormal heartbeat
• Numbness in limbs
• Chest pain with a feeling of tightness around the chest
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness