Why is My Honey Itchy?

Itchy honey isn't a characteristic of honey itself, but rather a symptom possibly linked to an allergic reaction to honey or a related substance.

Honey Allergy: A rare but serious allergic reaction to honey can manifest as itching, hives, swelling (mouth, throat, or skin). This is often triggered by pollen or bee parts present in unprocessed honey. [Source: It's rare, but eating unprocessed honey can cause a serious allergic reaction. You might have itching, hives, or swelling of your mouth, throat, or skin. The culprit: pollen or bee parts in the unprocessed honey.29-Jan-2016] Other symptoms can include a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and an itchy throat. [Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/allergic-to-honey]
Bee Sting Reaction: If you've been stung by a bee, the resulting itchiness and inflammation isn't directly from the honey, but from the venom. While honey has some soothing properties, it is not a direct treatment for a bee sting. [Source: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/bee-or-yellow-jacket-sting/]
Irritation from other sources: The itchiness may not be related to the honey itself but rather a separate issue that coincides with your honey consumption.

Differentiating Itchiness Sources:

To determine the cause of your itchiness, consider:

Timing: Did the itching start immediately after consuming honey, or was it gradual?
Other symptoms: Are you experiencing other allergy symptoms like swelling, hives, or respiratory issues?
Bee stings: Have you recently been stung by a bee?
Other possible causes: Could the itch be due to something else entirely, such as a skin condition?

If you experience severe itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing after consuming honey, seek immediate medical attention.