\n<\/p><\/div>"}. For cutting onions, freeze them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Yes, butsee Method #6 for my even better, DIY solution. Consider using these instead. The flame will help disable the compounds released by the onion that makes you cry while chopping. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. onion releases an acidic chemical which dissolves in the tears and causes irritation. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Expose yourself to fresh outdoor air, such as standing on a porch or in front of an open window, to dilute the gas. Lighting a candle was a surprisingly effective method for cutting tears during all the cutting board techniques. Not your best bet, however. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. The way you cut onions can also be the reason for your teary eyes. A sharp knife will allow for quick, clean slices, and less damage to the flesh of the onion. Put distance or a barrier between yourself and the raw onion you're cutting. Have you ever wondered why cutting onions causes your eyes to burn and tear? The juice itself may be caustic and cause superficial burns to the cornea and conjunctival of the eyes which should be checked by an ophthalmologist. A sharper knife, like a ginsu, cuts cleaner. ", "Kept me interested through all the clearly written steps. Schedule A Free LASIK Consult. "Chopping onions can cause some burning and irritation and tears. Specializes in Ophthalmology. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If youre still having trouble, try Method: Halve and peel the onion, then soak it in water for an hour before cutting. My sink is about 7 inches deep, so it was difficult to reach down and get an even dice. Eye doctor explains how they release a noxious gas when cut. Ensure Proper Ventilation in Your Kitchen, 6. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. How do you prevent your eyes from watering? Whoops. But an onions defence mechanism goes further, producing an even more irritating chemical, propanthial s-oxide, meant to stop the plant being consumed by pests. Can only irritate temporarily. Saliva absorbs the vapors emitted by cut onions, preventing them from condensing on the eye and causing tears. The fumes waft up toward the small glands in your eyes and cause you to tear in an attempt to flush away the chemical gas. Cut off the stem, and leave the root end in tact. Burning eyes can stem from environmental irritants like smog, smoke, dust, mold, pollen or pet dander as well. The fourth method is using goggles while cutting the onion. Its volatility means that, once its released, it quickly evaporates and finds its way into our eyes. When it came time to dice the second half, I felt every symptomburning, itching, watery eyes. No, cutting onions will not damage your eyes. (While I'd like to say it was the Oreo, my gut tells me otherwise.). By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I'm afraid it has damaged my eyesight. % of people told us that this article helped them. The reason is there's a chemical reaction going on the minute you start breaking into the onion, that starts to trigger the eye smarting effect. What are the nine most common food allergies? As you might have . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. November 6, 2022. (This usually takes about five seconds.) Slice . Antihistamines can help with mild symptoms, but it is essential that a person has epinephrine auto-injector devices on them in case they experience severe allergic reactions. A doctor may identify these allergies during testing. This will keep the gases from escaping while you gut the first half. 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. 28. The onions weren't really making me cry much at all. If a person notices any allergic symptoms, such as swelling, trouble breathing, itching, and hives, they should immediately seek emergency care. No tears! When you cut into the onion you are releasing this chemical and other enzymes. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. This causes a chemical reaction and creates a lachrymatory agent, similar to the chemicals used in tear gas. Onion chopping is one of two things in the world that can consistently make me cry. Dr. Elizabeth Holland answered. Your eyes react to the gas that is formed, and your eyes try to flush it out with tears," Rosa explained in a school news release. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), https://acaai.org/news/potentially-deadly-reason-seek-preventive-health-care, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301054619300916, https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(12)00254-0/fulltext, https://acaai.org/allergies/allergy-treatment/epinephrine-auto-injector, https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy, https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergies/testing, https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/food-intolerance, https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-food-allergies, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960977/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4482820/, Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Answered, https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/06/22/482032913/the-science-of-why-onions-make-us-cry. .When this occurs, "enzyme" works to alter the amino acids into lachrymator compounds. Once, after my eyes had stung and wept with unusual viciousness, I Googled the phrase "onion tears eye drops," in the hopes that some modern-day Edison had invented such a product. Although onion goggles are now widely available, you can still use ski or swimming goggles to protect your eyes from the fumes released by the onions. The Verdict: Eat all the bread you want, just not while chopping onions. We do not sell your personal information. Can visine permanently damage the eyes? The reaction that occurs creates a sulfuric acid; when the fumes come into contact with the moisture in your eyes, you will feel a burning sensation. The best way to make your eyes stop burning from cutting onions is to chop a chilled onion quickly using a sharp knife. "To chop onions without tears, first chill the whole onions in the freezer for 10-15 There are enzymes locked away in the onion called alliinases and they're names after the family you find them in, like onions, garlic, scully and chive. If a person thinks they have trouble digesting onions, they should discuss this with a doctor. How to mitigate those tears helps too. If food comes into contact with onions, it may trigger an allergic reaction. Make sure to use a sharp knife as the fumes are released by the stress of the onion being cut and torn. ", "Understanding the chemical aspect of what makes the tears flow helps. Wearing contact lenses for long periods of time can also make your eyes burn. Although you will have less control when using a food chopper, it is still a good alternative if you aim for smaller pieces of onion. It contains a slightly different compound called alliin or PRENCSO 2, which doesnt breakdown further into eye-stinging chemicals. As long as it sealed correctly, it should be OK. Wrap in plastic wrap and seal in an airtight bag or container. When I cut onions my eyes start burning, but it just gets worse and worse until tears are pouring out, my nose is running like crazy, and my eyes are on fire and I can barely crack my eyelids open for more than a quarter second. Remember to blow it out after you're finished cutting the onions. Then I went back and re-tested each method using red and white onions to make sure the mildness of the first ones hadn't skewed the results. Use lubricating eye drops to flush out the eyes. One of the best ways to prevent burning your eyes is to cool the onions before cutting. Onions can also, The volatile chemicals released when cutting onions can irritate, . The takeaway. Answer (1 of 2): Different people react to onions in a different manner. It may result in uneven chunks, but you wont cry as much as when chopping by hand. Cutting the first half of the onion went okaydespite a potent smell right off the bat, I didn't feel the need to grab a tissue. Happy cooking! "They all act as precursors that create the lachrymatory processor -- or what makes you tear up.". I worked in the food industry for 10 years. However, what are the other options? This acid irritates the, . Flush your eyes with cool water or an eye wash rinse. Save cutting the onions for last if you can. This might also have the added benefit of improving how onions taste as less propanthial S-oxide would mean more thiosulphinate, the compound associated with the flavour of fresh onions. "Your eyes have a set of nerves that detect anything that's potentially harmful to your eyes. Symptoms of onion allergy include: hives or a rash anywhere on the body. However, we have a better idea why onions cousin garlic doesnt have the same effect. difficulty breathing . Your eyes burn for a few seconds to at least a few hours after cutting onions because they contain eye-irritating chemicals. Freeze the Onion. Last Updated: September 22, 2022 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Even when I tried a method that I'd found not to work, or no method at all. Any proven method for cutting onions without teary eyes? Why do my eyes burn so long after cutting onions? Which doesnt breakdown further into eye-stinging chemicals from happening, or buy onion Understanding the chemical of. Yourself and the raw onion you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy.. Not damage your eyes with cool water or an eye wash rinse while the... Like a ginsu, cuts cleaner by using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube it! A candle was a surprisingly effective method for cutting onions because they contain eye-irritating chemicals from cutting onions food... While I 'd like to say it was the Oreo, my gut tells me otherwise. ) long of... 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