Allergy to Green Coffee?

[Dogshot]

I'm not allergic to anything; at least not until now. And I have had my share of exposure to the usual culprits - dust, pollen, grass, hay, etc. over the years. However, every time I prepare coffee to roast, I start to sneeze and develop congestion. I did a quick search and found a blurb that suggests that roughly 10% of dock workers who handle green coffee develop allergies to it. Green coffee has a potent allergen that is destroyed in the roasting process....(see attached link) http://www.labspec.co.za/l_occu.htm

Any other home roasters get a little bleary-eyed when handling their green?


Mark

[another_jim]

I've seem posts by others who had allergic reactions to grren coffee. The usual suggestion was that the plentiful dust on green coffee caused the problem. It's nice to see your link, since it suggests that this isn't just any old dust, but one peculiar to green coffee and quite allergenic to boot. The posts make more sense now.

I wonder if wearing one of those white filter masks while roasting would help (at least on the lung symptoms, rather than the irritated eyes) -- they are easy to find, and a pack would last a long time.

[Rainman]

I'm not allergic to anything; at least not until now. And I have had my share of exposure to the usual culprits - dust, pollen, grass, hay, etc. over the years. However, every time I prepare coffee to roast, I start to sneeze and develop congestion. I did a quick search and found a blurb that suggests that roughly 10% of dock workers who handle green coffee develop allergies to it. Green coffee has a potent allergen that is destroyed in the roasting process....(see attached link) http://www.labspec.co.za/l_occu.htm

Any other home roasters get a little bleary-eyed when handling their green?


Mark

Not too surprising, Mark. Congratulations on having a robust immune system, but handling these beans (which may be dependant on the type of processing) might trigger some pretty annoying symptoms. If you can handle Benadryl (diphenhydramine), just 25 mg may be sufficient to prevent a bad experience (most other antihistamines may be a bit too weak). Otherwise, wearing a mask or avoiding it altogether is all you can do. If you are limited to eye symptoms, maybe just a pair of goggles? (I'm mostly kidding) If you are developing congestion of the upper airways (lungs and nasal passages), then you might be a candidate for a steroid inhaler (there are bunches), especially if you absolutely MUST work with this type of exposure (hope not!).

Hope this helps?

Ray

[medstudent2009]

I would suggest the use of a newer generation anti-histamine that doesn't make you tired, such as Loratadine (active ingredient in Claritin). Try this before resorting to the more sedating anti-histamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Anti-histamines will be good for itching, runny nose, and sneezing, but will not work so well for congestion. A separate med for congestion will be required. Fastest acting are the nasal sprays (work almost instantly). I also like Guafenesin (found in Mucinex), but takes longer time to take action. Not recommended to use steroids, unless symptoms are on a near daily basis, and are really lifestyle altering. Steroids have many potentially dangerous side effects that should be avoided unless problems are severe enough. See a doc if this is the case. Cheers!

[Dogshot]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll start with a mask, and change the way I handle the green coffee. I use an i-roast and roast outside, and have already modified the way I interact with the roaster. I noticed the symptoms originally while roasting, and I think it is because the i-roast vents directly upward. Now I start the machine like I'm lighting fireworks - light the fuse and run. I come back just as 1st crack is underway, and have no problems from that point on. Hopefully it will never come to needing medication. If it does come to that, I'll just outsource the entire activity.

I would have thought that a runny nose and sneezing would be more common among home-roasters when handling green coffee, given the stats on others who regularly handle it. It's also probably a good idea to keep green coffee away from asthmatics and young children.

Mark

[Rainman]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll start with a mask, and change the way I handle the green coffee. I use an i-roast and roast outside, and have already modified the way I interact with the roaster. I noticed the symptoms originally while roasting, and I think it is because the i-roast vents directly upward. Now I start the machine like I'm lighting fireworks - light the fuse and run. I come back just as 1st crack is underway, and have no problems from that point on. Hopefully it will never come to needing medication. If it does come to that, I'll just outsource the entire activity.

I would have thought that a runny nose and sneezing would be more common among home-roasters when handling green coffee, given the stats on others who regularly handle it. It's also probably a good idea to keep green coffee away from asthmatics and young children.

Mark

I've had a similar experience with Jalapeno peppers when we sautee them in a skillet- I sneeze, and cough, etc... Coffee roasting has no effect on me, but I don't react to pollens in Arizona anymore (there was a time about 9 yrs ago when I did, though-- guess I've finally burned out those memory cells-- other people aren't so lucky). I've worked in an ambulatory/endocrine clinic seeing patients for several years, and I think we have one of the longest pollen seasons around producing some of the most challenging cases of allergic rhinitis (approximately 9 months long, counting all varieties)- by far, the most effective antihistamine (if you are objectively looking at symptomatic relief) is diphenhydramine. In general, the less powerful the antihistamine, the less effective, too. Here's the order of potency: diphenhydramine > chlorpheniramine/brompheniramine > triprolidine/clemastine > loratidine. medstudent is right, loratidine is way less sedating, but at the cost of effectiveness. I agree- avoiding exposure to anything foreign is the best solution, just sometimes not avoidable. Anyway, if the mask solution doesn't work (I actually like your "hit the button and run" option best), then post the problem again. I have to admit- most of my patients have no options available; so using antihistamines or steroid inhalers are a must. Incidentally, Claritin (R) is a brand of loratidine- not the other way around.

PS. Thinking on this some more.. I wonder if building a ventilation hood of some sort might help? In any event, if hitting the button and running is working, sounds like it's a moot point (and you get exercise in the process!)

Ray

[shadow745]

Dude, consider yourself lucky! I started experiencing partial lung failure about 5 years ago at only 32 years of age and was referred to UNC's Pulmonary Clinic. After tons of testing and many different prescription drugs I found out that I'm allergic to what would be about 95% of everything in my world, and that in turn causes a form of COPD. All environmental factors, animals, foods, really cold weather, synthetic substances (perfumes, deodorants, cleaners, etc) give me hell on a daily basis. I'm even allergic to tea and coffee, as in drinking it. The scale I was given goes from 0-6 and most of mine are in the 3-5 range, with 6 being deadly. I'm currently receiving allergy injections (lucky me) that feel like your average hornet sting, I use Claritin daily, use a prescription nasal inhaler daily to decrease sensitivity in my nasal passages and still have to use Benadryl 3 times daily on average. If anything gets in my eyes I have to use Patanol to decrease the swelling. I pretty much have to stay home about 95% of the time and if we go somewhere I have to take note of my surroundings and take precautions as needed. I've had allergies and asthma all of my life, but it kind of snowballed.

Sorry if I dragged this out, but it is coffee related because the one thing I look forward to every single day as much as life itself is making my usual 3-4 double shots. They always make the day go by a little better regardless of how life treats me. Later!

[Jasonian]

I believe it.

Has anyone else ever actually eaten a green coffee seed?

It's definitely an experience... especially towards the end.