Sounds like because you have a similar reaction in your throat to nuts and peanuts, you should consider the coconut reaction an allergic one. Coconut oil surely has some type of proteins left it in because we're all generally after high quality, unrefined coconut oils in paleo land. I think the addition to coconut oil to our diets, while great for most, also identifies existing allergies in some who otherwise might never have detected an allergy to coconut on the SAD.

Many people w/peanut allergy can technically eat peanut oil because it is highly refined supposedly with little or no proteins left in it... however, to someone severely allergic it is not worth the risk. Coconuts are considered tree nuts, which would explain the similar reaction.

Don't underestimate any reaction that makes your throat sore or itch. It's a hop, skip and a jump away from full-blown anaphylaxis, which is life threatening. I suggest anyone who gets a sore throat or itchiness in the mouth/throat gets an EpiPen because reactions are not predictable. Stress or weakened immune systems due to colds, illness, etc. can significantly increase the likelihood of a life threatening reaction. There's just no telling what will trigger a reaction into escalating into something very scary, and it's just not worth the risk.

Coconut oil is absolutely loaded with salicylate, a subgroup of phenols. Over time I have developed an intolerance to phenols - a very real phenomenon. If you do some googling you can find a ton of information, specifically on problems with the phenol sulfotransferase pathway, especially in people on the autism spectrum. (I don't have autism, but feel a bit autistic when I have a severe reaction.) I don't know if your sensitivity is to salicylate specifically but reactions to protein are definitely not a requirement for food sensitivity.

I am allergic to coconut.
I contracted the allergy late (around 21 y.o.) for a few months it was just a sore throat. Then I started getting colds and a sore throat after eating it. Now when I eat it I cough, can't breathe and get puffy.

Long story short, my suggestion is to quit using it and go to an allergists and get tested

I'd dump the rest and try something else. Maybe one of the refined versions vs the raw version. Not as good as the rawer versions, but if your body can't take it, it can't take it. Don't push it. The sore throat is indicative of an immune response, which could mean inflammation and other problems that you don't necessarily need.

It irritates my throat also. Then I switched to Artisana brand. It's avaiLable through Amazon if not avaiLable locally.

A true allergy is to a protein, but you can have a sensitivity to anything. It's very common that if if you have an allergy to one component of a food, than you'd need to avoid the whole food. Most people I know that can't eat tree nuts and coconuts also can't eat the oils from those foods, including my husband who gets an itchy mouth and throat from any tree nut or coconut product, including the oil. Probably best to avoid it, you can always retest it at a later time if you miss it...

You can be sensitive to any component in a food, not just the protein. If you are sensitive to one component, you may not be sensitive to another component and could still eat it (such as being sensitive to the protein but still eating the oil). If you are allergic to one component, you often will not be able to eat any other component without some reaction, so it's best to avoid the whole food and any component of the food. Also, allergies often start mild then build with each exposure. If you keep testing the coconut oil and are getting worse reactions each time, then it's time to stop before you have a dangerous reaction.

You might also consider that you are not truly allergic to coconut, but to a preservative, cross pollen, or other food that has contaminated the coconut.

Some people don't do as well as others running a soap through their bile ducts.

Yes, don't mess with your throat. Maybe you are JUST that sensitive to whatever protein crept in. People react to someone eating peanuts next to them, right? Seems impossible but it's not. Be safe and go consult an allergist. Not that their tests are perfect, but at least they can tell you how to stay safe. You might need to carry an epi-pen, too.

Odds are that you're allergic to most raw tree nuts if you get a coconut reaction. I'd love to eat all of that stuff raw but it's just not in the cards.

I only use coconut oil to coat meat I'm going to roast or sometimes as the starting fat in my skillet. I can't relate to drinking a spoonful of any fat straight. I love butter but I don't eat it straight either.

I take cod liver oil occasionally but I simply stir it into the broth in whatever stew I'm having--adds a nice flavor that isn't even fishy.

Since you're having problems, I suggest you change your approach and simply include the oil as an ingredient in dishes you're making.

For those who choose to do the spoonful and like it and have no trouble, then fine.

I might be on the way there myself. I can still consume the oil, but I find the coconut meat gives me trouble. If I eat the meat or the 'butter' I become very ill and have to lay down.

I get the scratchy congested throat only when I take a spoonful of coconut oil straight and not followed by any food. Haven't noticed the reaction when eating immediately after, cooking with it or putting it in a smoothy. so not sure if that's an allergy / sensitivity or not?

I've been taking it for 2 weeks with no issues. Last night I added it to my tea And this morn woke up with the worst sore throat ever. It's still sore and hurts to swallow and it's almost 5pm now. I don't understand why I got this sore throat. I took it in my tea before in the morning, never at night. It just hurts so much omg. Maybe I drank too much ? It was about a tbsp which I've taken before with food however.

Nevermind, I think this is a cold and not a reaction to the oil lol

I also got a sore throat and didn't know why. Last week, I had coffee at night before bed, added coconut oil to it and I woke up with a sore throat. I was completely healthy before drinking it. I never got a sore throat with coffee alone. It was the coconut oil. Now my throat still hurs and I am coughing up phlegm, I'm going to stop drinking the oil.