Garlic allergy: A rare cause of anaphylaxis in infants

Abstract

Food allergy is seen in 5-10 % of the children in developed countries but garlic allergy is a rare condition. A case having anaphylaxis after consumption of garlic is presented in this report. After the history of consumption of yoghurt flavored with garlic, the 16-month-old male patient presented to the emergency room with diffuse erythema and itching on his body, swelling on the eye lids and lip, vomiting, cough and wheezing complaints, and was intervened with the diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Six weeks after the anaphylaxis episode with garlic, the result of the skin prick test with raw garlic was positive (11x8 mm induration). The garlic serum IgE level was determined as 11 kU/L. Patients with garlic allergy should be informed about cross-reactions in terms of other food such as onion, leek and asparagus which are in the same family (Liliaceae family). Although is a rare condition, this case is presented to emphasize the probability of anaphylaxis due to garlic consumption.