Allergic Reaction to Vitamin D & Calcium Tablets

Vitamin D is commonly coupled with calcium because vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium more effectively. If you're talking a vitamin D and calcium supplement and you develop adverse reactions, you need to stop using the supplement and call your doctor. Allergic reactions can cause minor to severe symptoms that need to be evaluated by your doctor. You may be allergic to vitamin D, calcium supplements or inactive ingredients in the supplement. Your doctor and allergist can provide you with a clinical diagnosis of your condition.

The first time you take the vitamin D and calcium tablet, you may develop minor symptoms that continue to increase with each dose. Allergic reactions are caused by an overreaction of your immune system to one or more of the ingredients in the supplement. Although taking this supplement doesn't bother most people, when you ingest it, your body mistakenly reacts as if it is under attack. Chemicals are created and released into the blood stream to protect the body that result in common allergy symptoms. Most allergic reactions develop within seconds to a few minutes after ingesting the tablet.

Your respiratory system may be affected by an allergic reaction to a vitamin D and calcium tablet. Common allergic reaction symptoms that affect the respiratory system include asthma and sinus congestion. Asthmatic symptoms that can develop include coughing, wheezing, chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. In rare cases you may develop a lump and swelling in the throat. If you develop nasal congestion, you may experience a runny nose, sinus pressure, sinus headaches and post-nasal drip.

Other symptoms that may develop include gas, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, skin rashes, eczema and hives. The digestive system may become inflamed, which will lead to digestive symptoms that will subside once the supplement is expelled from your body. Skin rashes can appear anywhere on your body and can develop within seconds of experiencing an allergic reaction. In rare instances, you can develop a severe allergic reaction, which could cause life-threatening symptoms. Common symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include a metallic taste in your mouth, facial swelling, lightheadedness and a rapid heart rate.

The allergic reaction may not be related to the active ingredients in the tablet. Many chewable tablets contain milk, soy and wheat proteins. If you have a known food allergy, you need to discuss this possibility with your doctor.