Onion allergy is triggered by eating or having direct contact with onions. True onion allergies are rare without actually consuming the food.
Studies show that only 3% of adults may have this allergy, according to allergysymptonsx.com. Despite the statistics, there's a considerable amount of people suffering from onion intolerance. People with onion intolerance don't show as much adverse reactions compared to those with the allergy. Moreover, patients with onion intolerance can consume small amounts of cooked onion, whereas some of those with the allergy can't even stand the smell of onions.
Cause of onion allergy
The body has a defense team that rushes in when a foreign invader looks like it may make trouble. The only problem with this team is that it sometimes mistakes friendly visitors for dangerous invaders and sends its army to eliminate the invader. Then an allergic reaction occurs, according to allergysymptomsx.com.
If you have exposure to a substance the body mistakenly assumes causes harm, it builds antibodies against the substance. Your body creates proteins called immunoglobulin that are antibodies used to destroy substances foreign to it. They attach to the surface of the substance and this action allows the other cells to easily destroy it.
People that have allergies have IgE, gamma E globulin, immunoglobulin's. Once sensitized to the onion, these create the allergic reaction. The problem may not occur right away but after many years of exposure. It might happen immediately, however, with a less violent reaction, perhaps a mild headache or nausea.
Symptoms
Since onion allergy is a contact allergy, most of the symptoms of contact dermatitis are apparent in this allergy. There are symptoms that occur on the skin, as well as discomfort in the digestive tract. Some of the common symptoms are:
Rashes or dry skin flakes
Hives
Fatigue
Itching
Lip swelling
Mental disorientation
Breathing difficulties
Swelling of different body parts
Bloating
Gas and too much burping
Fainting
Asthma
Diarrhea
Reflux Esophagitis
Nausea
Sore throat
Puffy eyes and face
Mouth blisters
Gum blisters
Burning sensation on the mouth
Tongue blisters
Anaphylactic shock
Onion Allergy Diagnosis
Your first priority should be to consult an allergist and get yourself tested. They should be able to confirm your allergy and prescribe some medications.
Common ways to diagnose onion allergy:
*Skin prick or patch test
*Blood test- a specific IgE blood test could be done to determine if a person is suffering from onion allergy or just hypersensitivity.
Treatment
If you experience onion intolerance symptoms after eating cooked or raw onions, dried onion extract, and onion powder, stop eating the foods to determine if the signs of illness disappear. The best advice to naturally treat the food disorder is with a total onion and garlic free diet. Make a safe list and look for recipes using alternative ingredients to onions.
The medical treatment most often prescribed is antihistamines. Antihistamines help control food allergies but do not affect intolerance. When symptoms of eating onions are all gastrointestinal, it usually signals intolerance over a food allergy.
