Discussion: Can you be allergic to MSG in Chinese Food?

Jonathan Peter

Hey everyone,

Earlier on, I had Chinese food for my dinner, a few hours after that my eyes were puffy and I think my lips were swollen, I also had a bit of utricaria on my arm as well and I had a stomach ache, so do you think that I could be allergic to the MSG used in Chinese food or does an MSG allergy not exist?

Explain and discuss.

Thanks.

GhostHaus

A person can be allergic to anything so it probably was an allergic reaction. Are you ok now at least

Jonathan Peter

Yes I'm OK now, but I always get hives and a stomach ache only when I'm eating Chinese food which is slightly disconcerting.

stoopidjenna

I've heard similar things about MSG, but apparently researchers haven't actually found a conclusive link between MSG and the symptoms commonly associated with it.

Quote:

However, researchers have found no definitive evidence of a link between MSG and these symptoms. Researchers acknowledge, though, that a small percentage of people may have short-term reactions to MSG. Symptoms are usually mild and don't require treatment. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-li...e/faq-20058196

There are some articles out there that theorize the symptoms are actually more of a placebo effect than an allergic reaction.