Honey Allergy: Signs, Causes and Who Should Be Careful
Honey allergy is uncommon, but it does happen, and reactions can range from an itchy mouth to severe anaphylaxis. Most people who react to honey are actually reacting to pollen or bee proteins carried in it rather than to the sugars. This article explains what causes a honey allergy, the symptoms to watch for, who is more likely to react, how doctors diagnose it, and what to do in an emergency. If you are thinking about honey and hay fever, see our separate article on honey for allergies.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What causes a honey allergy
Honey contains small amounts of pollen and proteins from bees. In sensitive people, the immune system mistakes these for threats and triggers an allergic reaction.
A 2021 case report in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, Anaphylaxis caused by artisanal honey in a child, describes honey allergy as a rare food allergy, usually linked to pollen, especially from the Compositae (daisy) family, and possibly to bee proteins.
- Pollen from flowers, especially daisy-family plants
- Proteins from bee secretions
- Rarely, other contaminants in honey
Symptoms of a honey allergy
Symptoms usually appear within minutes to an hour after eating honey. Mayo Clinic's honey page notes that rare serious reactions can include wheezing, trouble breathing, dizziness, weakness, sweating, fainting and irregular heartbeat.
| Mild to moderate | Severe (emergency) |
|---|---|
| Itchy or tingling mouth | Trouble breathing or wheezing |
| Hives or rash | Swelling of throat or tongue |
| Stomach pain, nausea | Dizziness or fainting |
| Runny nose, sneezing | Rapid or irregular heartbeat |
Who is more likely to have a honey allergy
People with hay fever, particularly to ragweed, mugwort, chamomile or other daisy-family plants, may be more likely to react. People with known allergies to bee stings, bee pollen, royal jelly or propolis should also be careful.
Children can react too, though pediatric cases are rare. The child in the 2021 case report reacted to artisanal honey but not to commercial honey.
Raw honey versus filtered honey
Raw honey that is only strained keeps more pollen than heavily filtered commercial honey. The 2021 case report suggested this difference may explain why the child reacted to one and not the other.
For most people, the pollen in raw honey is harmless. For people with pollen allergies, it is worth knowing. Our article on pollen in honey explains how much is there.
How a honey allergy is diagnosed
An allergist takes a detailed history of what happened and when. Skin prick tests or blood tests can check for sensitivity to specific pollens and bee proteins. The 2021 report found that skin prick testing with the patient's own honey was helpful.
Do not try to test yourself at home by eating more honey. That can be dangerous.
What to do if you react
For mild symptoms like an itchy mouth, stop eating the honey and watch closely. An antihistamine may help, but check with a doctor or pharmacist.
For any severe symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number. If you have been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, use it as directed and still seek emergency care.
Honey allergy versus honey intolerance
Some people feel bloated or have loose stools after honey. That is usually not an allergy but a reaction to excess fructose, which some people do not absorb well. Our article on whether honey is low FODMAP explains this.
Intolerance is uncomfortable but not dangerous. Allergy involves the immune system and can be serious.
Honey allergy and other bee products
If you have a honey allergy, ask your allergist about other bee products. Bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis are often more allergenic than honey itself. Propolis is a known cause of contact skin allergy. Our article on honey and propolis covers the differences.
Reading labels
Honey appears in many foods: cereals, granola bars, sauces, dressings, baked goods, lozenges and skin care. If you have a honey allergy, read ingredient lists carefully and ask about ingredients when eating out.
Honey allergy and oral allergy syndrome
Some people with pollen allergies get itchy lips, mouth or throat after eating certain raw fruits, vegetables or nuts. This is called oral allergy syndrome, or pollen food allergy syndrome. It happens because proteins in those foods look similar to pollen proteins.
A honey allergy can sometimes look similar, since honey carries pollen. An allergist can help work out whether you are reacting to honey itself, the pollen in it, or something else in the meal.
Honey allergy in skin care
Honey is a common ingredient in face masks, lip balms and creams. People with a honey allergy may react to these too, usually with redness, itching or swelling where the product was applied. Patch test new products on a small area first, and check ingredient lists for honey, propolis and beeswax.
Our honey and allergies
Al Safa honey is raw and strained only of wax, so it naturally contains pollen. If you have pollen or bee product allergies, please talk to your doctor before trying it.
For everyone else, our honeys are available in the shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Anaphylaxis caused by artisanal honey in a child: a case report · Journal of Medical Case Reports (via PMC)
- Honey (drugs and supplements overview) · Mayo Clinic
- Melissopalynology in Brazil: a review of pollen analysis of honeys, propolis and pollen loads of bees · SciELO (Scientia Agricola)
Frequently asked questions
- Can you be allergic to honey?
- Yes, though it is rare. Reactions are usually to pollen or bee proteins in honey.
- What are the symptoms of a honey allergy?
- Itchy mouth, hives, stomach upset, and in severe cases wheezing, throat swelling or fainting.
- Is raw honey more likely to cause allergy?
- Raw honey keeps more pollen, so people with pollen allergies may be more likely to react.
- Can children be allergic to honey?
- Yes, rarely. Case reports describe reactions in children.
- Is honey allergy the same as bee sting allergy?
- No, but people with bee product allergies may be at higher risk.
- What should I do if I react to honey?
- Stop eating it. For severe symptoms, call emergency services and use epinephrine if prescribed.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.