Can an allergy to onions occur, how does it manifest itself and what to do?

It has been scientifically proven that onions are an extremely healthy vegetable. It contains many vitamins and microelements that help the human body fight diseases and ailments. At the same time, onions are one of the most affordable products - you can buy them at any time of the year in the nearest supermarket.

However, despite its many-sided benefits, onions can cause an allergic reaction in both adults and children. This article will tell you which component of the vegetable provokes the allergy, how to identify it and get rid of it.

Is it possible to be allergic to onions?

Onions are not allergenic vegetables, but the proteins in their composition sometimes cause pathological reactions in the body. This is a product that is not only eaten, but also used for medicinal purposes. In a person who is susceptible to allergies, it can provoke a negative reaction, even if he does not have a hereditary predisposition.

All types of onions can cause allergies, and the interaction of antigens of each type of onion with each other causes a cross allergic reaction. As a result, the body reacts equally negatively to onions, red onions, leeks, and even garlic. But the most allergenic of all varieties are green and shallots.

If a person has such an allergy, symptoms appear not only when eating this vegetable, they are possible even upon contact with it:

• using natural cosmetics that contain onions;
• interaction with onion dust or peel;
• consumption of canned food in the preparation of which onions were used, even if it was later removed or added in small quantities.

It can be difficult to immediately determine whether a vegetable will be an allergen for a particular person. This allergy tends to accumulate, so the first symptoms sometimes appear only after several days or weeks. Hidden allergies are especially dangerous to health because they are more difficult to diagnose. Sometimes symptoms do not appear directly at all, but a person may experience problems with the digestive, nervous or respiratory system - all this against the background of a hidden allergy.

Allergies are easily confused with vegetable intolerance, but these are different pathological reactions:

1. Onion intolerance is not an allergy to it. It only causes problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which are associated with the fact that the body does not have enough special enzymes to digest it.
2. Intolerance occurs due to the body’s rejection of drugs used to treat onions during sowing and storage.

The strongest allergen is fresh onions and their juice, boiled onions are less dangerous for the health of allergy sufferers, and the safest is fried.

Important. The least allergenic onion - a reaction to it occurs in only 0.7% of cases of onion allergy.

Causes

The process of an allergic reaction to onions looks like this: the human immune system perceives the substances that make up the vegetable as something hostile to the body. As a result, the hormonal system begins to actively produce histamine, which in a healthy body is in a dormant state.The production of histamine is accompanied by symptoms that make up the typical clinical picture of allergies.

The main substances that provoke the reaction in the vegetable are profilin and diallyl disulfide. Let's take a closer look at what these substances are:

1. Profilin is a vegetable protein. People who are gluten intolerant should use onions with caution due to the vegetable protein they contain. It is destroyed during cooking, so boiled or fried onions are not as allergenic as fresh ones.
2. Diallyl disulfide is an organic sulfide. It is this that gives the onion such a specific smell. It is found in all types of vegetables. Can cause a pathological reaction of the body to this vegetable. The allergen provokes skin reactions - redness, rash, itching. In difficult cases – asthma or rhinitis.

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Symptoms

They manifest themselves in either mild or severe form.

Light form:

• itching of the skin, urticaria, rashes on the body;
• cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, sore throat;
• runny nose;
• swelling of the eyelids;
• heartburn, nausea or vomiting.

Severe form:

• a sharp increase in pressure;
• Quincke's edema;
• swelling of the larynx and lungs;
• anaphylactic shock.

Such severe situations are often caused by strong allergens - nuts, seafood, but due to cross-reaction, this also happens when eating vegetables.

Important. If you notice one or more of the listed symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor.

The main thing is to quickly figure out what the allergy is to, pay attention to the symptoms and act immediately so that this does not lead to serious consequences, especially when it comes to children.

Reaction to vegetables in children

In children, the immune system begins to function stably only at the age of 7, so they are especially vulnerable. Boiled onions begin to be introduced into a child’s diet at the age of 8-10 months, and fresh vegetables are recommended to be consumed only after 3 years - this applies to onions; green onions should be excluded altogether up to 7 years, since they contain the largest number of allergens.

Important. In kindergartens, green onions are never included in children's menus.

Symptoms in children:

• small skin rash, redness, watery blisters;
• peeling of the scalp;
• rhinitis;
• dermatitis or diathesis;
• nausea and vomiting;
• cough and difficulty breathing.

Allergies are often confused with a cold or infectious disease, so if you notice similar symptoms, contact your pediatrician for further examination.

Symptoms in infants:

• severe crying and restlessness;
• sleep disturbance;
• skin rashes;
• colic and abdominal pain;
• frequent regurgitation.

In infants, allergies occur due to onion substances entering the mother's milk. If such manifestations are noticed, exclude this vegetable from your diet and observe the baby’s reaction for 2-3 days; if the condition does not improve, contact your pediatrician.

Remember that onion allergies tend to accumulate, so you shouldn’t make hasty conclusions. After including onions in your diet during breastfeeding, monitor your baby's reaction for several days.

Important. If your baby shows signs of choking or difficulty breathing, call an ambulance.

Symptoms in adults

In an adult, allergies are less pronounced, except in cases where the person is susceptible to severe allergic reactions.

An allergy can manifest itself not only to the consumption of onions, but also to its smell or to cosmetics that contain vegetable substances.

In an adult, the manifestation of a pathological reaction is divided into areas of its influence.

Skin:

• itching and skin rashes;
• swelling of the mucous membranes.

Gastrointestinal tract:

• indigestion;
• heartburn;
• sharp pain in the abdomen;
• constipation or loose stools.

Respiratory:

• cough and runny nose;
• redness and swelling of the eyelids;
• labored breathing.

First aid for severe cases of allergies

The most dangerous things that allergies can lead to are angioedema, anaphylactic shock, Lyell's syndrome and Minière's disease.

The symptoms in these cases are:

• severe vomiting;
• fainting and dizziness;
• severe swelling of the lungs and larynx.

With such symptoms, the person must be hospitalized immediately.

If a person has the ability to swallow, you need to give him an antihistamine and be sure to notify the emergency doctors about this.

Important. While medical assistance is en route, place the person on a hard surface, provide free flow of fresh air, and isolate the person from the allergen.

Treatment

To treat a pathological reaction to onions, they first conduct an examination of the body.. Allergies are often confused with other diseases, so if you suspect it, take a blood test to identify the allergen. To do this, contact an allergist who will prescribe appropriate studies.

The identified reaction will determine whether the human body is able to digest onions. His further nutrition depends on this. You may have to completely exclude onions from your diet, avoid their smell and not use cosmetics containing their ingredients.

Medication therapy

Drug treatment includes the use of enterosorbents and antihistamines. Enterosobrenty prevent or mitigate intoxication of the body. These include: “Enteros-gel”, “Polysorb”, “Smecta”.

Antihistamines help fight inflammatory reactions and allergies: Zyrtec, Zodak, Suprastin.

Traditional methods of treatment

You should resort to traditional methods of treatment only after consulting a doctor. Such therapy is not considered as the main method of treatment, but is used only in combination with medications or procedures prescribed by a doctor.

Relief of runny nose:

• decoction of chamomile or nettle;
• mumiyo.

Relieving itching and reducing swelling:

• potato gruel;
• baths from a decoction of chamomile, string or Jerusalem artichoke root.

For inflammation of the skin:

• aloe oil;
• dandelion infusion.

For preventive measures, the following actions are sufficient:

• Eat less fresh onions, better boil or fry them;
• if you notice symptoms, eliminate the product from your diet completely;
• always carry antihistamines with you;
• strengthen your overall immunity.

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Conclusion

Allergic reactions in humans can occur even to the healthiest foods.Onions are one of these products. It supports immunity during the cold season and helps fight many body problems. However, this healthy vegetable can cause an allergic reaction in some people. If this happens, eliminate the vegetable from your diet and consult a doctor for advice and proper treatment.