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Garlic/onion allergy??
Okay, this confused the heck out of me.... I know that sometimes I get a reaction from eating too much garlic/onion, but I haven't experience it for a long time now, and I love garlic bread. I don't eat too much onion or garlic though, I kept it low on the intake, since I don't actually like it that much, but I love the smell of it in my cooking. And I haven't been to a doctor about this. Two nights ago my partner brought home some fried rice, which I know it has garlic in it, just that I don't know how much. After that, I started having sore throat and a splitting headache. It lasted until today (I had to call in sick yesterday). I had a mild headache yesterday but a very sore throat and still a little bit of it today, but the headache comes and go at least.
Anyone else have any reaction to garlic/onion? My everyday food contains onion and/or garlic, I wonder if it's an unusual amount that set off the reaction? It's just that I have never met or heard anyone has these symptoms, especially where I'm from, the food always contains lots and lots of onion and garlic (although I'm never a big fan of it, and I don't live there anymore).
Anyone else have any reaction to garlic/onion? My everyday food contains onion and/or garlic, I wonder if it's an unusual amount that set off the reaction? It's just that I have never met or heard anyone has these symptoms, especially where I'm from, the food always contains lots and lots of onion and garlic (although I'm never a big fan of it, and I don't live there anymore).
I was born with GARLIC allergy - it was discovered by accident; I was always taken to the ER, with hives and trouble breathing; I was suddenly better when we ran out of garlic home..It's a SULFITE allergy (some people are just intolerant). Here goes a list of DONT'S as for food and medications to be avoided:
Sulfites are also used in some medications
Topical - some eye drops and creams
Oral medication - at the time of writing, no adverse reactions to sulfites have occurred from swallowed medication that might have been contaminated with sulfites.
Injectable medication - Adrenaline (epinephrine), isoprenaline, phenylephrine, dexamethasone and some other injectable corticosteroids, dopamine, local anaesthetics/dental anaesthetics containing adrenaline and aminoglycoside antibiotics are the most common potential sources of exposure. It should be noted that even in patients with serious sulfite sensitivity, the benefit of adrenaline is considered to outweigh any theoretical risk from sulfites in an emergency.
"Sulfites" is the general name for six specific substances:
Sulfur dioxide
Sodium sulfite
Sodium bisulfite
Sodium metabisulfite
Potassium bisulfite
Potassium metabisulfite
As additives, sulfites do many things:
They can prevent spoilage and preserve foods -- and certain beverages -- by preventing the growth of mold and bacteria, for example.
They can stop fruits, vegetables, and seafood from discoloring.
They can maintain the strength of common medications -- including some asthma drugs.
Sulfites may be added to foods and beverages such as:
Apple cider and other types of cider
Avocado dip
Beer and wine
Condiments, jams, gravies, and molasses
Dried fruits and vegetables
Fruit and vegetable juices
Peeled potatoes (including french fries)
Pickled meats and vegetables
Restaurant food and other prepared foods
Shrimp and shellfish
Sulfites may also occur naturally in foods such as:
Asparagus
Chives
Corn starch
Eggs
Fish, such as salmon and dried cod
Garlic
Leeks
Lettuce
Maple syrup
Onions
Soy
Tomatoes
According to federal law, sulfites cannot be added to foods that are intended to be eaten raw, such as fruits and vegetables. When they are used as a preservative in food preparation or processing, they must be listed as an ingredient.
Symptoms of a Sulfites Allergy
The severity of allergic reactions to sulfites can vary. Symptoms of a sulfite allergy include:
Hives and itchiness
Upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting
Trouble swallowing
Flushing
Dizziness
Drop in blood pressure
Trouble breathing
The combination of asthma and sulfites can be life-threatening because it can lead to anaphylactic shock. If this occurs, the entire body reacts severely to the allergen. The airways can swell shut, making it difficult to breathe. According to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, as many as 5%-10% of sulfite reactions in people with asthma are fatal.
If you have signs of an allergic reaction to sulfites, get emergency help. In many cases, using your quick-relief inhaler can control your reaction.
Avoiding Problems With Asthma and Sulfite Allergy
Your doctor can tell if you have a sulfite allergy with a test called a controlled sulfite challenge. During this test, you are exposed to a small amount of sulfites under close supervision to see if you have a reaction.
If you have asthma -- and sulfites cause an allergic reaction -- you need to be very careful to avoid them. This can be tough, especially since sulfites are in many foods and drugs. And even a very small amount can cause a reaction. But here are a few things you can do.
Read labels, checking for sulfite substances listed above.
Be careful with foods that commonly contain sulfites. Many are listed above.
When you eat out, ask the waiter or waitress whether the food you're ordering contains sulfites.
Check with your doctor to make sure that the asthma drugs you use do not contain sulfites.
Be prepared in case you do ever accidentally eat sulfites. Ask your doctor what to do in an emergency. Always carry your rescue inhaler with you.
I hope this helps whoever needs it.
MC, Sep2012
Sulfites are also used in some medications
Topical - some eye drops and creams
Oral medication - at the time of writing, no adverse reactions to sulfites have occurred from swallowed medication that might have been contaminated with sulfites.
Injectable medication - Adrenaline (epinephrine), isoprenaline, phenylephrine, dexamethasone and some other injectable corticosteroids, dopamine, local anaesthetics/dental anaesthetics containing adrenaline and aminoglycoside antibiotics are the most common potential sources of exposure. It should be noted that even in patients with serious sulfite sensitivity, the benefit of adrenaline is considered to outweigh any theoretical risk from sulfites in an emergency.
"Sulfites" is the general name for six specific substances:
Sulfur dioxide
Sodium sulfite
Sodium bisulfite
Sodium metabisulfite
Potassium bisulfite
Potassium metabisulfite
As additives, sulfites do many things:
They can prevent spoilage and preserve foods -- and certain beverages -- by preventing the growth of mold and bacteria, for example.
They can stop fruits, vegetables, and seafood from discoloring.
They can maintain the strength of common medications -- including some asthma drugs.
Sulfites may be added to foods and beverages such as:
Apple cider and other types of cider
Avocado dip
Beer and wine
Condiments, jams, gravies, and molasses
Dried fruits and vegetables
Fruit and vegetable juices
Peeled potatoes (including french fries)
Pickled meats and vegetables
Restaurant food and other prepared foods
Shrimp and shellfish
Sulfites may also occur naturally in foods such as:
Asparagus
Chives
Corn starch
Eggs
Fish, such as salmon and dried cod
Garlic
Leeks
Lettuce
Maple syrup
Onions
Soy
Tomatoes
According to federal law, sulfites cannot be added to foods that are intended to be eaten raw, such as fruits and vegetables. When they are used as a preservative in food preparation or processing, they must be listed as an ingredient.
Symptoms of a Sulfites Allergy
The severity of allergic reactions to sulfites can vary. Symptoms of a sulfite allergy include:
Hives and itchiness
Upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting
Trouble swallowing
Flushing
Dizziness
Drop in blood pressure
Trouble breathing
The combination of asthma and sulfites can be life-threatening because it can lead to anaphylactic shock. If this occurs, the entire body reacts severely to the allergen. The airways can swell shut, making it difficult to breathe. According to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, as many as 5%-10% of sulfite reactions in people with asthma are fatal.
If you have signs of an allergic reaction to sulfites, get emergency help. In many cases, using your quick-relief inhaler can control your reaction.
Avoiding Problems With Asthma and Sulfite Allergy
Your doctor can tell if you have a sulfite allergy with a test called a controlled sulfite challenge. During this test, you are exposed to a small amount of sulfites under close supervision to see if you have a reaction.
If you have asthma -- and sulfites cause an allergic reaction -- you need to be very careful to avoid them. This can be tough, especially since sulfites are in many foods and drugs. And even a very small amount can cause a reaction. But here are a few things you can do.
Read labels, checking for sulfite substances listed above.
Be careful with foods that commonly contain sulfites. Many are listed above.
When you eat out, ask the waiter or waitress whether the food you're ordering contains sulfites.
Check with your doctor to make sure that the asthma drugs you use do not contain sulfites.
Be prepared in case you do ever accidentally eat sulfites. Ask your doctor what to do in an emergency. Always carry your rescue inhaler with you.
I hope this helps whoever needs it.
MC, Sep2012
I also have a severe garlic allergy. It affects my heart leading to a heartrate in excess of 220 beats per minute which is basically fibrilation. Ironically it seems we were born in the same year - 1972
I am constantly on anti-histamines. Now onions are also starting to do it.
I am constantly on anti-histamines. Now onions are also starting to do it.
I hate to say it but I am extremely allergic to garlic. I found out about it when I was in college. I would always eat Sicilian pizza (with a lot of garlic). One day I became dizzy, my heart was racing, and I was extremely nauseous. I ate it again the next day but the symptoms were worse, so I went to bed. The next thing I knew I woke up in the hospital. I found out that I had an extreme allergic reaction and went into shock and I had to receive medicine. After getting a million questions (it seems), I was was given test after test and kept in the hospital for almost a week (I found out that it also messed with my heart). It was found that I am deathly allergic to raw garlic, especially the oil. I can eat garlic powder and garlic salt but not dried or fresh garlic. Trust me, it is so depressing to not be able to eat anywhere I want or anything I want without asking, "Does this have garlic in it?" Ironically, I am not allergic to onion. I can eat it all day.
I went to a restaurant with my brother (he wanted to treat me to dinner). All I ordered was a burger with no pickles. I asked if the burger was cooked with garlic and the waiter said yes. I talked to both he and the cook and told them that I am extremely allergic to it and asked if there is any way to not add garlic to my burger. I was told that it was not a problem. After I had eaten my burger and fries, we went to our cars to go home. All of the sudden, I could not breathe, my heart was racing, my throat felt like it was closing, and I could barely stand. I was at least 30 minutes from the nearest hospital. The only thing that I could think of was to throw up and hope that it would help. I did and it helped me to breathe afterwards. Still ended up having to go to the hospital anyway. I found out that I did ingest garlic oil. Come to find out instead of putting garlic in my burger, the cook put garlic oil in it. To make a long story short, I filed a complaint against the restaurant the next day. A week later the restaurant closed. I don't know if it was because of the complaint or not but it never opened again.
I went to a restaurant with my brother (he wanted to treat me to dinner). All I ordered was a burger with no pickles. I asked if the burger was cooked with garlic and the waiter said yes. I talked to both he and the cook and told them that I am extremely allergic to it and asked if there is any way to not add garlic to my burger. I was told that it was not a problem. After I had eaten my burger and fries, we went to our cars to go home. All of the sudden, I could not breathe, my heart was racing, my throat felt like it was closing, and I could barely stand. I was at least 30 minutes from the nearest hospital. The only thing that I could think of was to throw up and hope that it would help. I did and it helped me to breathe afterwards. Still ended up having to go to the hospital anyway. I found out that I did ingest garlic oil. Come to find out instead of putting garlic in my burger, the cook put garlic oil in it. To make a long story short, I filed a complaint against the restaurant the next day. A week later the restaurant closed. I don't know if it was because of the complaint or not but it never opened again.
I can eat garlic until it reeks out of my pores. I can handle, cut, cook onion family til any self respecting mosquito wont come near me. (Let alone another human) But if i consume any of the other onion family even cooked is epi pens and an ambulance/ER party. BUT dehydrate those onions and let me at them. I was told that it was because it changes the alkaloids in them. Is this true?
I get severe sore throat, swollen throat glands, headache, foggy head, swollen puffy eyes and face, and it lasts for DAYS. It is awful! I am going to sue two restaurants who have lately poisoned me after promising no garlic was present. I cannot think, cannot work. cannot work out, and suffer daily, now going on my 3rd day.
Do any doctors know of an antidote?
Heather
email:
***@****
Do any doctors know of an antidote?
Heather
email:
***@****
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