Raw Onion Intolerance

Raw onion intolerance can cause swelling of the carotid arteries in the neck and terrific migraine headaches.

They also can create fatigue, crankiness and other neurological symptoms such as confusion. Most of the time, digestive distress is the only symptom but some people notice numbness in their limbs.

There's a difference between an intolerance of a food and an allergy. Allergic reactions cause swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat. It also can cause other body parts to swell. You might break out in a rash; develop hives or eczema or nasal congestion and trouble breathing. The symptoms might include abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting. Other symptoms of an allergy are lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting.

The symptoms of food intolerance may include some of these. They might cause a rash, digestive problems or irritable bowels. Some food intolerance even leads to weight gain that's difficult to lose. The difference occurs inside the body. If the immune system is involved, you have an allergy. If the body simply doesn't process food properly, you probably have food intolerance. People with lactose intolerance lack the appropriate enzymes to digest milk products and it causes digestive problems such as bloating and gas. The same may be true for people with raw onion intolerance.

Whether you have intolerance to raw onion, or are allergic to raw onions, it doesn't matter. The warning you receive from the symptoms alerts you to stop eating the offending substance. You can test it in a number of ways. The easiest way is to eliminate it from your diet. You need begin first by eliminating all onions. If the symptoms you experience disappear, then slowly add cooked onions back into your diet. If you fare well with cooked onions, attempt to introduce raw onions. If the symptoms return, raw onions are your problem.

If you have a problem with raw onions, it can develop into one with cooked onions and eventually all alliums, the plant family of the onion. This includes garlic as well. A propensity toward yeast infections also can occur if you have raw onion intolerance. People with onion allergies or intolerances often find that lilies make them ill too. The lilies are in the same family as garlic and onions.

Often the onion intolerance causes GERD, where the acid backs up into your throat. This occurs because it relaxes the esophageal sphincter and allows the acid to back up into the throat. Other substances that do this are fat, chocolate, peppermint and decaffeinated coffee.

Once you recognize that you have raw onion intolerance, avoid onions. Sometimes, after several years of avoiding the offending substance, you can reintroduce them back into the diet in small amounts. Your body may digest the raw onion properly and not cause any of the reactions you experienced prior. However, you also might find that completely avoiding them isn't as hard as you thought and simple continue without raw onion in your diet.

Go to Most Common Food Allergies from Raw Onion Intolerance