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- National Institutes of Health: Food Allergy
- National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Garlic
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Can Too Much Garlic Cause Lips to Swell?
Too much of a good thing can be detrimental, and that good thing can be garlic 2. Although garlic is safe to consume and can add a flavorful kick to many recipes and dishes, you can suffer from swollen lips and other symptoms if you have a garlic allergy. The severity of your allergic reaction generally depends on the amount of garlic you eat.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Garlic Allergy
An allergic reaction to garlic occurs when your body’s immune system tries to fight off the garlic by releasing immunoglobulin E -- antibodies that neutralize the garlic. The next time you eat garlic, the immunoglobulin E antibodies alert your immune system to send out chemicals to battle the harmful substance, producing various allergy symptoms, such as swollen lips.
Allergy Symptoms
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A true garlic allergy, rather than an intolerance to it, can come with a host of symptoms beyond swollen lips. A garlic allergy leads to an itchy or tingly sensation in your mouth and swelling in your tongue, face, throat and airways or other body parts. Itchy skin, hives or eczema are common food allergy symptoms, as are nasal congestion, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Additional symptoms include dizziness and lightheadedness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. One of the most severe reactions to garlic is anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal condition in which your body can go into shock. Anaphylaxis symptoms can also include a racing pulse, constricted airways, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
- A true garlic allergy, rather than an intolerance to it, can come with a host of symptoms beyond swollen lips.
- Itchy skin, hives or eczema are common food allergy symptoms, as are nasal congestion, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Garlic Intolerance
Although an intolerance to garlic can share similar symptoms of a garlic allergy, the two are different conditions. A food intolerance does not involve your body’s immune system; it instead involves your body’s digestive system. A food intolerance occurs when your digestive system cannot properly break down a food for digestion. A garlic intolerance results in abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea but will not lead to symptoms such as hives, swollen airways or anaphylaxis.
- Although an intolerance to garlic can share similar symptoms of a garlic allergy, the two are different conditions.
- A garlic intolerance results in abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea but will not lead to symptoms such as hives, swollen airways or anaphylaxis.
Considerations
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Raw garlic cloves, which make up garlic oils and extracts, are more potent than garlic salts, powders or cooked garlic. Even if you don’t suffer from swollen lips or other allergic reactions, consuming large quantities of garlic can result in other symptoms such as heartburn, body odor and stomachaches. Garlic can also reduce your blood’s ability to clot, which is a consideration prior to surgeries or dental procedures.
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References
- National Institutes of Health: Food Allergy
- National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Garlic
- Bayan L, Koulivand PH, Gorji A. Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2014;4(1):1-14.
- Garlic. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Garlic. Penn State Hershey. Milton. S. Hershey Medical Center.
- Garlic. Herbal Safety. UT El Paso / Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program & Paso del Norte Health Foundation.
- Garlic. Therapeutic Research Center. Natural Medicines Database.
- Garlic. National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
- Garlic. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products.
- Garlic. Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan.
Writer Bio
Ryn Gargulinski is a writer, artist and performer whose journalism career began in 1991. Credits include two illustrated books, "Bony Yoga" and "Rats Incredible." She holds a Master of Arts in English literature and folklore and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in creative writing with a French minor from Brooklyn College.