Bronchial asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and contact dermatitis caused by onion

The Canadian Criteria for the Establishment of New Priority Food Allergens: Evidence for the Inclusion of Mustard and Insufficient Evidences for Garlic and Onion as Priority Allergens in Canada

“…Valdivieso et al [77] reported a prevalence (8%) of onion allergies among 106 adults randomly selected for SPTs from a food allergy clinic. However, only four of these eight subjects experienced clinical symptoms associated with onion exposure, and only three of these eight subjects had positive onionspecifi c IgE results.…”

“…Two subjects who had positive SPT and serum IgE results for onion did not experience allergic reactions after consuming onion powder [77] , and several cases reported a history of allergic reactions after consuming raw garlic and onion but a tolerance to cooked garlic and onion. However, available evidence from case studies indicates that the allergenic proteins are susceptible to digestive enzymes and heat.…”

“…Valdivieso et al [77] performed SPT for onion allergies among 106 subjects randomly selected from an allergy clinic. Of the 106 subjects, eight (8%) had positive SPT results for onion and four of those eight subjects experienced clinical symptoms such as rhinoconjunctivitis, dyspnea, eczema, and BA.…”

A survey of plants responsible for causing irritant contact dermatitis in the Amathole district, eastern cape, South Africa

“…Irritant contact dermatitis to onion was reported much less often than to garlic (Table 3). Cut onions release thiopropanal-s-oxide, an irritant sulphur compound also known as 'lacrimatory factor' because of its effects on tearing (Valdivieso et al, 1994).…”

Medicine by the patient’s definition

“…What do we understand about the therapeutic potential of believing something is helpful for a chronic illness, such as laying on the linoleum floor or having your mother's church friends pray for you or lay hands on you and call upon the Divine? Is there a therapeutic, harmful or placebo effect in the use of onion potions for asthma? 4,5 What is the benefit on course of illness when a patient feels hope for a cure versus anticipating the illness will negatively impact their quality of life forever? How essential is it for patients to feel control over their therapeutic decisions, or at least feel it is shared decision making between their health care provider and their beliefs?…”