Raw Onion Intolerance

michelca
michelca Posts: 41
edited September 26 in Food and Nutrition
I'm wondering if anyone else gets a reaction to eating raw onions, raw scallions, or raw shallots? Is getting a headache a common reaction? What about nausea? In general, is this a common allergy or intolerance? I seem to be the only person in my family who is affected by them.

Replies

  • helthymom6
    helthymom6 Posts: 77
    raw onions are a terrible trigger for headaches especially migraines.
  • callipygianchronicle
    callipygianchronicle Posts: 811 Member
    Onions and garlic--anything in the allium family--are known migraine triggers. I used to have extreme sensitivity to them. I can now tolerate them cooked, but raw can still trigger a serious migraine of bad stomach upset for me.
  • chunkymonkeylass
    chunkymonkeylass Posts: 37
    Not sure about any 1 else. I have excrutiating pain when I eat raw onions. to the piont I feel like going to the hospital(I MUST BE DYING if I as to go to the hospital). my cousins x wife cant even kiss some 1 who has eaten onions of any sort, she goes into shock. throat swells, the whole shabang
  • michelca
    michelca Posts: 41
    Wow, I guess it's fairly common, then. I hadn't known about the allium family being a trigger for migraines, but that makes a lot of sense. Thanks!
  • AnathemaRose
    AnathemaRose Posts: 38
    It depends. There are onion allergies and intolerances. Me, I can eat them cooked. . .but raw onions make me physically ill (Intolerance rather than an allergy). However, Garlic doesn't bother me (I love Garlic). Interesting enough, there's a connection to Lilies making people with raw onion intolerance ill. . .and that's funny because I do actually get a little nauseas at the smell of Tiger Lilies. . .

    And that's my two cents worth.
  • rc630
    rc630 Posts: 310 Member
    Raw onions make my stomach hurt terribly... I really love the way they taste but I just can't have them anymore. Onions have some pretty strong chemicals in them, which is why they have some antibacterial properties, so it's not surprising that a lot of people are sensitive to them.
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    Both my mother and I cannot consume raw onions. She's gotten to the point where even cooked onions turn her stomach. I get stomach problems from consuming them as well as terrible acid reflux. Cooked onions are fine, though.

    I think sometimes our bodies just don't agree with what we put in them.
  • Emmes101
    Emmes101 Posts: 3
    Wow. I've never had a problem with onions until now (the past couple of years). I don't buy red onions, but I love sweet onions. I know white and yellow onions make my head hurt .. raw .. but I've never had a problem with sweet onions. :*( Phooey! Now, I guess I'll have to only have them cooked.

    Looks like I'll have to adjust my Eat 2 Live plan accordingly.

    Glad I'm not the only one! Thanks!
  • Zeromilediet
    Zeromilediet Posts: 787 Member
    Google FODMAP and you'll see onions are in a group of foods that cause a reaction in some people. Maybe some of the other foods in that group also cause problems for you? Be aware if you're sensitive to these you may also be to foods containing inulin (sometimes added to foods as a fiber source), so read labels. If you want the savory taste of onion or garlic without the consequences, try substituting chopped chives or the green part of scallions; sauté garlic in oil and remove before adding other ingredients (as in browning meat or stir frying vegetables). There are degrees of sensitivity: you'll have to find your's :-)
  • paulagwyndobbs
    paulagwyndobbs Posts: 1
    not only does raw onion give me a debilitating headache but so does garlic and cilantro. If i know I'm gonna be eating my moms famous potato salad i will take 800 mg of ibuprofen before hand. it dulls the pain but i still have a "thick" feeling in my head. the smell will also trigger these headaches, i can not cook garlic toast or chop onions without getting a sick throw up headache. glad to know imnot the only one.
  • Jess__I__Can
    Jess__I__Can Posts: 307 Member
    Yes, raw onions are gross and make me wanna vomit.
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