For years, royal jelly, a jelly-like secretion produced by bees, has been used as a treatment for dozens of ailments. Some of the side effects of royal jelly include allergic reactions that could cause rashes or hives, or even lead to death. Research has not been able to show that it actually works to treat the ailments it purports to treat, creating potentially dangerous false hopes by people affected by some illnesses. It also can become contaminated with a wide range of chemicals and bacteria.

One of the main side effects of royal jelly is an allergic reaction. In many cases, the reaction is predicated by a person's allergy to certain pollens. If the reaction is mild, a person may only have difficulty breathing or develop hives. If a more severe reaction occurs, however, a person could experience anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death.

Other side effects of royal jelly include gastrointestinal reactions. These reactions can create abdominal pain, and in some cases, the colon begins to bleed. As a result, the person also may experience bloody diarrhea.

Reports have indicated that some side effects of royal jelly may be experienced if it is applied directly to the skin. For example, rubbing a lotion containing royal jelly onto the skin could cause a rash. In addition, if a person suffers from a skin ailment, such as dermatitis, it may increase skin inflammation.

People who tout the benefits of royal jelly believe that it will improve athletic performance, fight aging, increase the metabolism, prevent allergies, fight infections, and reduce the likelihood of cancer. These claims have not been backed up by scientific research. As a result, one of the side effects of royal jelly is that it may cause false reliance on a homeopathic remedy that has not been proven to work. This reliance could be dangerous, particularly if it is used to fight infection or cancer in lieu of seeking medical treatment.

In addition, royal jelly is processed and sold commercially. As a result, there have been issues regarding contamination of the products. Even if a person isn't negatively affected by royal jelly, he might experience side effects from the contaminants.

Because the side effects of royal jelly are still being studied, it is important that women who are pregnant or nursing do not use the product or products containing it. In addition, people with certain conditions, such as breast cancer, should avoid royal jelly, as it mimics estrogen. As with any homeopathic remedy, a medical doctor should be consulted before using royal jelly.