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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Symptoms should disappear relatively quickly and at least within a few hours. I felt every awful physical pain that is a result of cutting onions. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Similar to the chewing gum theory, chomping on bread forces you to breathe the chemical in through your mouthrather than absorb it through your nose or eyes. So I chop onions regularly, though not happily. It's a temporary sensation with no known long-term effects, nor will it worsen any other conditions, like pink eye," Rosa said. As onion allergies can be life threatening, it is vital that a person speaks with a doctor if they experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. wearing a pair of tight-fitting safety goggles to protect your eyes. And why do only some onions make us blub in this way when others, including related allium plants such as garlic, barely ever draw a tear when chopped? No tears! Its volatility means that, once its released, it quickly evaporates and finds its way into our eyes. What is the best way to cut onions without crying? As onions are a commonly used ingredient in food, they can be difficult to avoid, so it is important for people to be aware if they are allergic. When these enzymes come in contact with the air, they turn into a gas, called propanethial S-oxide, with properties similar to those used in tear gas. Happy cooking! So why do some onions have more of an eye-stinging effect than others? This allium veggie contains sulfoxides that are a natural irritant to the eyes. Save cutting the onions for last if you can. swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat. A potentially deadly reason to seek preventive health care. The cooling effect of mint gum is supposed to counteract the burning sensation. Nothing on this website should be taken as professional advice, and we always encourage responsible reading. Cross-reactivity between aeroallergens and food allergens. Here is my technique, and I can dice literally 15 onions before my eyes start to tear up. Be wary of the one-size-fits-all onion goggles you can find online. A cold compress can help to eleviate the symptoms of tearing and burning when cutting an onion. So I decided to test an array of 15 of these methods and products. In theory, blanching the onions (scalding them with boiling water then plunging them into freezing cold water) will denature the enzymes involved and so prevent the reaction from happening. If you have good knife skills, cutting the root last makes a big difference. ", Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. All rights reserved. "My friend is cutting large amounts of onions at her work, and she texted me telling her her eyes hurt. Also to avoid this all together, a cold onion is less likely to cause tearing when. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But why do onions actually make us cry? These range from mild, such as bad breath and eye irritation, to severe, like allergic reactions and drug interactions. The Verdict: Let gum be gum. Here's The Best Trick To Save Your Eyes While Cutting Onions, A slim majority of these 16 methods helped fight onion tears, but some of those had other major problems. If you dont want to wait 15 minutes for the onion to soak, you can cut the onion under running water. avoid the tears by using either swim goggles, or buy onion. The fourth method is using goggles while cutting the onion. As the reaction involves enzymes, the rate of reaction and amount of irritating chemicals produced can be cut by either damaging the enzymes or slowing them down. Smugglers take advantage of public desperation. due to the release of an irritant when cutting. If that water is in your eye, you have acid in your eye. Certainly sweeter onions tend to have less of the sulphur-containing compounds that eventually produce the propanthial s-oxide. If a person is allergic to onions, symptoms can appear up to 2 hours after ingestion. Other than that, it's pretty safe on your eyes. An exhaust fan in your kitchen or a ceiling fan can help fumes clear out more quickly and soothe you sooner. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), every time a person is exposed to the food, an allergic reaction can occur. Watch Exactly How to Peel and Chop an Onion, Method #3: Chilling the Onion in the Refrigerator, Method #5: Cutting the Onion Under Cold Water, Method #6: Running Your Arm Under Cold Water, Kitchen Tricks and Tips From Our Expert Cooks, How to Save Hours Preparing Thanksgiving DinnerPlus Tips on How to Plan Ahead, What to Do If Your Thanksgiving Turkey Is Still Frozenand 3 Ways to Fix It, Dealing With Jaw, Neck, or Face Tension Lately? The cold water was also a bit, well, cold and uncomfortable as I chopped. Full disclosure: I was eating a double stuff Oreo while dicing this onion, so I can't say for sure if the cold onion or the Oreo did the trick here. Because onions grow underground, this gas helps deter critters that want to feed on them. Ensure Proper Ventilation in Your Kitchen, 6. He is fixing and following and smiling appropriately. The only down side is that you may look a little goofy wearing goggles while cooking. Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment? What are the nine most common food allergies? Another trick to prevent your eyes from burning when cutting onions is to soak the onions in water for 10 to 15 minutes. Not your best bet, however. Threat to your visual health & # x27 ; re cutting is to soak the onions in water for to... Encourage responsible reading can alleviate symptoms of onion allergy, as well as how to diagnose and it! Should be taken as professional advice, and how can you prevent it happening... A sweet and savory dish that looks as good as it sealed correctly, it releases the sulfoxides and,., but it is an easy prevention if you already have some goggles at.... Test, a cold onion is damaged it releases the sulfoxides and enzymes, which reacts the... How they release a noxious gas when cut onions than others and water. Flaking, papery skin sans a bright green bulb onion vapor research and development called! 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