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I simply adore chocolate for many years I have spoilt myself and eaten it often. Unfortunately, during this period, I have been rather unwell and used my poor health as excuse to say to myself "go ahead spoil yourself" far too many times and I find myself just a little overweight. However it is not just my weight that is alarming as a friend recently suggested that my illness may actually be a chocolate allergy.

One of the very first things that I discovered while reading up about chocolate allergy is that it is often something else that is effecting the person. The reason why it is always wise to investigate the possibility of other allergies first as this would be most likely as an allergy to chocolate is, in reality, rather rare.

Most chocolate bars have cocoa as it's main ingredient and it should account for around 65% or more (depending upon how dark the chocolate is). In actual fact rather than suffering from a chocolate allergy you would actually be suffering from a cocoa allergy instead.

Cocoa is a very useful ingredient that is used extensively in the food industry. Most often found in cakes and biscuits it can also be added to other prepared foods in small amounts. If you are allergic to cocoa you will have to quickly learn to read all packaging on foodstuffs to ensure that it is not a component part of the product. If you are like me and you eat a large amount of cakes and biscuits this task could prove very time consuming but, over time, you will begin to notice which products are to be avoided.

Although a chocolate allergy is unlikely to kill you the common symptoms experienced can be very unpleasant and rather alarming. Headaches are closely associated with this problem and other symptoms include an element of confusion or the lack of ability to think clearly. Further common associated symptoms are heartburn/acid reflux, hives and skin rashes, rectal itching and, possibly the most worrying symptoms of breathing difficulties plus the vision can also be effected. Not a pleasant mix at all.

As we have said earlier in this article it is a distinct possibility that you are allergic to another ingredient rather than cocoa as chocolate allergy is rare. When you visit your local doctor he will send you to a specialist clinic or an allergy consultant who will perform a number of tests and examinations to discover if you are allergic to cocoa or not. Included in these tests will be a number of other tests for an allergic to other common allergens. It may surprise you to know that it is not uncommon for a person to suffer from a number of allergies.

When the culprit has been discovered you will receive the suitable help and advice. You will be given treatments such as creams lotions and drugs to help clear up the symptoms and help minimize them in future. Some drugs can prove so effective that it is sometimes possible to treat yourself now and then with a little chocolate but maybe it would be best to abstain altogether.

Finally, now that you know if you have a chocolate allergy and you have been given suitable treatment you can begin to think about your future diet. I will repeat again that if you are allergic to cocoa it is best avoided completely. Fortunately there are a number of chocolate substitutes on the market that are actually rather good. You may want to investigate further or you may take this opportunity to change to a far more healthy diet to improve your general health, it is really up to you.