Picture this: You're enjoying a savory spaghetti dish, each twirl of noodles filled with a garlicky punch when all of a sudden, your lips feel itchy, your throat scratchy, and your gut disgruntled. It seems garlic, your flavorful friend, just stabbed you in the back – quite literally.

Yes, this is an actual thing, my friends-garlic allergies. As rare as they are, they do exist, though they're often cloaked as an intolerance. If you've ever found yourself feeling like a vampire repelled by garlic in any form, you're likely allergic to the alliin lyase enzymes, transforming into sulfuric allicin. A simple brush or bite can unleash a Pandora's box of immune-related hoopla, including allergic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and some not-so-pleasant gastrointestinal exhibitions.

Those with garlic allergies morph into an itchy, irritated mess, even when they play safe using gloves while handling fresh garlic. The boogeyman here is allergic contact dermatitis – an unwelcome form of eczema. Severe garlic allergy? You know it's a party when mild wheezing joins the mix, escalating to short, rapid breaths. But the fun doesn't stop there. Garlic steps it up a notch with gastrointestinal symptoms accompanying the breathless pantomime. After a meal rich in the garlicky culprit, your gut might throw a protest rally.

But how can you tell if it's the exotic allure of garlic causing these symptoms or just a classic intolerance? Well, Sherlock, the signs of intolerance are less adrenaline-inducing compared to an allergy. You may only have to wrestle with a manageable degree of discomfort, while an allergy lands you in the ring with the Hulk.

Uncovering a garlic allergy isn't as easy as peeling back a layer of this aromatic bulb. It requires allergy tests, including a physical exam, a thorough Q&A session about your symptoms, and medical past, along with a series of blood tests-all leading to a potential face-off between your skin and garlic exposure. If you're lucky, you might even be sentenced to an oral food challenge test or an elimination diet to get to the bottom of this mystery!

Suppose you're diagnosed with a garlic allergy, call it quits with Allium family members – onions, leeks, chives, and the likes tagging along this botanical lineage. And sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but several of your favorite food items may harbor garlic or garlic powder, so get cozy with reading labels. As for a garlic substitute that can match its unique pizzazz – that's a challenge. But there are a few tricks to keep your meals flavorful despite the glaring absence of garlic.

Here's the kicker. If you are allergic to garlic, you might also have an onion allergy. So before dicing up the drama, have a chat with your healthcare provider about potential allergies to this tear-jerking veggie as well.

Experiencing a garlic-induced meltdown or having more mood swings than a toddler consuming sugar? Bring it up with your doctor. It might be a sign of an underlying garlic allergy or intolerance. A spotlight on the villain and understanding what triggers you can make a world of difference. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, although uncommon, can happen in response to garlic. If you exhibit signs of this, get your ass to the ER-it's no laughing matter.

Garlic allergies, though relatively rare, are real, and can create havoc if left unchecked. If you feel your mouth itching, breathing becoming labored, or notice any skin condition after garlic exposure, consider consulting an allergist for a thorough check-up. Don't go into a garlic panic-get tested!