Garlic allergy, what causes a person to experience it?

Food allergies are not just limited to eggs, milk, and seafood. In rare cases, allergic reactions can also occur after consuming garlic. What are the symptoms of an ingredient allergy to this spice and how can you treat it?

What is a garlic allergy?

Garlic (Allium sativum) is one of the ingredients that can also be eaten raw. This food ingredient is usually used in various dishes, such as stews, soups, to bread.

Although it is often a flavoring for various dishes, there are some people who are not allowed to eat garlic. The reason is, when the garlic enters their bodies, an allergic reaction will appear.

In general, this allergy is quite rare and there are no accurate statistical data regarding this condition. The reason is, of the total membership of the Anaphylaxis Campaign which consists of 3,700 participants, there are only ten registered members who have this type of allergy.

Causes of garlic allergy

Garlic allergy is caused by a reaction by the immune system to substances that appear to be threatening to enter the body. This is probably because garlic contains enzymes alliin lyase which is thought to be falsely identified as a threat by the immune system.

Then, the immune system attacks and produces antibodies against the enzymes in garlic. As a result, a series of allergy symptoms appeared.

Interestingly, the owner of this allergy can also develop a similar reaction to onions, asparagus, and chives. This condition, called cross-reactivity, occurs because garlic belongs to a similar food group, namely spices.

Spices are seasonings commonly included in cooking. Most spices used dry, such as garlic, are found to contain protein that causes food allergies.

Meanwhile, ground spices, such as paprika, still leave behind the allergy-causing protein even in small amounts. Therefore, spice allergens can be found anywhere, whether raw food, baked, or dried.

Who is at risk?

Spice allergies represent only 2% of all food allergies, such as seafood, milk, and fruit. This condition is also more common in adults than children.

Not only that, spice allergies are also more common in workers in spice factories. In fact, women are said to be more at risk of developing this allergy, although the exact cause is not known.

Symptoms of a garlic allergy

Basically, the symptoms of a garlic allergy are similar to other food allergy symptoms. Some people may not develop a severe reaction, but sometimes the symptoms can be dangerous.

These allergic characteristics usually appear a few minutes after ingestion or exposure to these foods. However, it can sometimes take up to two hours for an allergic reaction to appear.

You need to be aware of the various allergy symptoms, including:

• the skin feels itchy and looks hives,
• mouth feels itchy and tingling,
• swelling in the mouth, throat, face, and other areas of the body,
• nasal congestion,
• diarrhea,
• stomach ache, as well
• nausea and vomiting.

When should I see a doctor?

In rare cases, a garlic allergy can develop a severe reaction if not treated immediately. If you or a family member develops a condition called anaphylactic shock with any of the following symptoms, go to the hospital immediately.

• Difficulty breathing due to narrowing of the airways.
• Blood pressure has dropped dramatically.
• Irregular pulse.
• Dizziness and fainting.

The sooner an allergic reaction is diagnosed and treated, the more likely you are to avoid this life-threatening condition.

Garlic allergy treatment

It is best to treat food allergies, including garlic, to avoid the triggers in the following ways.

• Examine packaged food ingredients, especially Indian dishes and processed meats.
• Tell restaurant staff about allergies experienced when eating out such as in restaurants.
• Use a garlic substitute to season foods.

If you have already, mild cases of spice allergy can usually be treated with antihistamines. Therefore, always have an antihistamine handy, especially when traveling.

You can also ask your doctor to prescribe medications to treat allergy symptoms. For example, allergy sufferers who frequently develop asthma symptoms will be recommended nasal corticosteroids.

If the allergic reaction is serious enough, the doctor may inject epinephrine to treat anaphylactic symptoms. If possible, train your friend or family member to first aid when allergies.

If you have any further questions, please contact your doctor for an appropriate solution.