Glossary
Allergy Warning
Updated February 22, 2026
An allergy warning means there is a meaningful possibility of immune reaction risk, ranging from mild sensitivity to immediate hypersensitivity.
Why it matters
Unfair uses this as a separate safety layer because allergic reactions can be amplified by ingredient combinations and excipients, not just the declared active ingredient.
What to watch for: cross-reactivity
- Fragrance and flavor compounds: trace botanicals can trigger reactions even when not listed as the “main” active.
- Botanical overlap: ragweed-family, nightshade-family, and related pollen-adapted sources can cross-react across products with different names.
- Excipients and carriers: dyes, gelatin shells, magnesium stearate, and preservatives can be meaningful triggers for some users.
- Capsule materials: gelatin or shellac variants can matter for specific allergy profiles and religious or medical preferences.
This is different from mild food sensitivity (predictable discomfort from specific foods) versus IgE-mediated reactions (rapid onset, hives, swelling, breathing symptoms, or hypotension risk), which are emergencies.
Label red flags
- vague “proprietary blend” where allergen components are not listed clearly
- “natural flavors” without disclosure
- missing explicit allergen section
- frequent cross-ingredient overlap in stacks from different products
What to do when a reaction appears
- Hold the whole stack for 24 hours if symptoms appear rapidly after dosing.
- Log substitute context immediately: what was taken, where, and with what food or medication.
- Reintroduce only one candidate at a time after clinician guidance, and keep the journal entry tagged as suspected allergen-related.
If symptoms are:
- Mild: local itch, mild hives, mild GI discomfort without breathing effects, pause, log, and use a lower-risk temporary option.
- Moderate: worsening hives, vomiting, persistent cough, or dizziness, stop and contact care same day.
- Severe: throat swelling, wheeze, chest tightness, blue lips, syncope, confusion, or rapid spread of swelling, call emergency services.
Cross-site references
Uncertainty
- Evidence is limited for full allergen reporting quality in every third-party product.
- Evidence is limited on how consistently hidden excipient allergens are disclosed across import batches.
How this appears in Unfair
Unfair marks ingredient-level allergen and excipient flags, then merges them with stack overlap risk, user-reported sensitivities, and route context before showing warnings.
Clinical safety note
If there are any signs of throat constriction, wheeze, facial swelling, or collapse, stop dosing and seek emergency care immediately.