Garlic allergy is more common than most people realize, studies show

Garlic allergy is more common than most people realize, studies show

Garlic allergies are more common than most people realize, according to data presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting. Symptoms of a garlic allergy may include hives, a runny nose, skin rashes, and asthma. Experts recommend individuals see a healthcare provider for an allergy test if they think they have an allergy.

While garlic isn't a Big Nine allergen, garlic allergy is more common than most people realize.

According to data presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting, allergies to this popular ingredient are fairly common.

"There is very little information about garlic allergy in the literature, so hopefully this report will bring garlic allergy to the attention of both patients and physicians," said Thomas Casale, MD, professor of medicine and pediatrics and director of clinical and translational research in the Department of Allergy and Immunology at the University of South Florida in TampaHealthin an email.

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What the numbers tell us

Dr. Casale and his colleagues analyzed about 13,000 patients enrolled in the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) patient registry from May 2017 to October 2021.

They identified garlic (Leek sativum) allergy in 132 participants. In addition, 34 of the 132 patients reported having allergies to othersLeekSpecies such as onion, shallot, leek, spring onion and chives. Almost 67% of participants were diagnosed by an allergist - a prick test was the most commonly used diagnostic test.

The researchers also found that more than half (56%) of participants with a garlic allergy went to the emergency department (ER) for a garlic-induced allergic reaction, while 19% were hospitalized and 6% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

“Some reactions were very serious and required hospitalization and intensive care unit admission,” explained Dr. Casale. “This is in stark contrast to individuals who only had mild symptoms with a few hives.”

In general, patients with garlic allergy were diagnosed at a later age, had a higher rate of family history of food allergy, and were comparatively more likely to have comorbid allergic rhinitis (runny nose), asthma, or atopic dermatitis (skin rashes). to other patients in the FARE registry with only one non-garlic food allergy.

Dr. Casale noted how he hopes these results can educate patients and healthcare providers about garlic allergies and help them take proper action.

What causes allergies?

What a garlic allergy looks like

Similar to other food allergies, garlic allergies are caused by an immune system reaction, said Ashley Okotie-Eboh, MD, a family physician at Memorial Hermann Medical GroupHealthin an email.

If you have an allergy to a certain product or food, your immune system will overreact to its presence in your body. Your immune system then responds by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which travel to cells that release chemicals like histamine, causing an allergic reaction.

"Your body recognizes the garlic and marks it as a foreign material, creating an antibody that recognizes the garlic and triggers a cascade of allergic reactions," Dr. Okotie Eboh.

The symptoms of a garlic allergy can be similar to those of any other food allergy, Dr. Okotie-Eboh continued. However, the most common symptoms after ingesting garlic, contact with garlic, or exposure to garlic dust are asthma, hives (urticaria), runny nose (rhinitis), or skin rashes (contact dermatitis). Symptoms can also vary from person to person and may appear at different times after you have been exposed.

Garlic allergy symptoms

People who are allergic to garlic may experience some of the following symptoms:

Hives, itching, or redness of the skin Dermatitis or rashes Swelling of the face, lips, throat, or mouth Tingling or itching in the mouth Abdominal pain Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Runny nose (rhinitis) Wheezing or shortness of breath Light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting

Dr. Okotie-Eboh also noted that consuming excessive amounts of raw garlic, especially on an empty stomach, can cause gastrointestinal upset, bloating and changes in intestinal flora. "There have also been reports of allergic dermatitis, burns and blisters from topical application of raw garlic," she added.

Diagnosis of garlic allergy

If you notice persistent symptoms such as rashes, hives, runny nose, or breathing problems after eating certain foods, there is a possibility that you have a food allergy. Keeping a food diary and tracking which foods follow symptoms can help determine specific products you may be allergic to.

You can also contact a doctor to have an allergy test such as a skin prick test or a blood test.

Dr. Okotie-Eboh noted that although most allergies are diagnosed in childhood with the introduction of many new foods, it is still possible to develop food intolerances or allergies later in adulthood. It's important to continue to pay attention to the signals your body is sending you so that if something changes, such as: B. a food intolerance.

How are allergies diagnosed?

How do I treat a garlic allergy?

Dr. Okotie-Eboh explained that if you receive a garlic allergy diagnosis, how you deal with it depends on the severity of the reaction. For example, if a person has had a rare anaphylactic reaction to garlic, a doctor can probably prescribe them an Epipen to have on hand in case they accidentally ingest or are exposed to garlic.

If a person's reaction is less severe, managing the allergy may include avoiding garlic, reading food labels, and informing food staff of your allergy when eating out or ordering food for delivery.

Other people with garlic allergies who experience mild allergy symptoms, such as hives or runny nose, may only need over-the-counter allergy medication to relieve symptoms, Dr. Okotie-Eboh added.

Patients who are still unsure about the severity of their allergy or have other questions about managing their allergy should schedule an appointment with a doctor to ensure they receive all the information they need to treat their allergy and prevent illness.