Hi, I am a female who has a big problem. Whenever I eat onions/anything in the onion family, I start to feel really hot and smell like onions strongly. I shower everyday and use deodorant so I know it is not coming from my armpits because at least my armpits still smells like the deodorant I use. This is a big problem because a LOT of foods contain onion/garlic/anything related. It does not matter how much I consume, it can even be however much onion powder is put into a small ketchup packet. I’ve looked up some stuff about this before but all they said was to “reduce onion intake” or “cook them well” (both of which I’ve already done and nothing has worked.) some websites even made it sound normal but it clearly is not because I have never smelled anybody like that or heard of anybody else (other than a few posts in different websites when I searched this up) smelling after eating anything in the onion family.
I’ve been bullied in the past for this because people thought I just didn’t shower often so Im pretty desperate to know the reason/possible vitamin deficiency/treatments.
I am also consulting a doctor the next time I go, but usually most doctors dismiss my problems, so I don’t know what to do. 😔
I wasn’t sure where to post this but because I found somebody under this topic, I am posting it here.
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Princess_Mikki43
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Does the same kind of thing happen when you eat brocolli by any chance? Or eggs?
I've been digging into sulfur metabolism lately because I’ve had my own issues with sulfites and sulfur gas in the past. I’ve always called it a “sulfur allergy,” and on my medical records I have it noted that I am allergic to sulfa drugs. But the more I look I’m seeing there are differences between sulfite sensitivity (which I have) and sulfur metabolism (still figuring it out)… but eating onions is a tell for possible sulfur metabolism issues.
Onions fall into a category of sulfur-rich foods (like eggs, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables). These foods rely on properly functioning sulfur metabolism pathways in the body to break them down without causing issues.
Now, for me, I ruled out onion/brocolli/sulfer-metabolism problems. So I’d did t pursue any action, but the things that came up were -
A CBS genetic test that tests enzyme-related sulfur metabolism. But even if I had that not sure if would change anything I did on a daily basis so why bother.
The other thing that could help is investigating gut biome. Like a stool test to assess sulfur-reducing bacteria and treating with targeted probiotics.
I also generally noted for myself that even if I had this problem with sulfer that it didn’t mean I had something else life threatening and that my only action was to avoid the thing giving me problems (in my case, mainly sulfited fruits).
So in any case it’s likely your action is to reduce onion intake.
Caveat: I am not an expert, just have shared related experience and did some research.
edit: here is the post/replies where forum members helped me make connections around sulfur:
my husband had a similar smell when he took too much selenium. He didn’t need to supplement and was just randomly taking mine, daft thing. He had a telling off, stopped and it went away in a week or so. My GP tested my selenium and I was just over range with no symptoms. Stopped supplements and eating Brazil nuts and tested 3 months later and it was just inside the top of range. I’d been taking it since reading Izabella Wentz and how most Hashimoto’s are low.I hadn’t really considered what to do once levels were raised. I just get dietary now.
I can't help much but just to say what an interesting problem! I know not fun for you but does make me think how amazing the human body is that we all get such specific problems. I get terrible tummy ache when I eat onions that are not cooked which runs in my family, and on the low thyroid side too. I wonder if there is a connection or just coincidence. Going to read up on the sulfur content that Fallinginreverse has provided....
Same thing happened to me for a while years ago. It stopped but I'm not sure why.My suspicion is maybe it was to do with an out of kilter gut microbiome and I think I've heard it mentioned as a side effect of candida over-growth? Maybe something to read into - but I'm putting this tentatively deliberately!
Honestly I'm not too sure, as I didn't know much about it at the time. I wonder if the issue was caused by a dose of antibiotics, and my usual diet of lots of veg, some fruit and yoghurt, plenty of water, avoiding too much sugary or junk food, maybe fixed it. Could have also been that the cause and the cure were both affected by a hashi's swing? But this again is speculation, this was probably 20 years ago so it's very hard to be sure, I'm afraid.
I’m very sensitive, possibly allergic to onions, leeks, peppers, garlic so I know what it’s like having to avoid eating them, very complicated especially in restaurants.
I don’t smell, just get a severe stomach ache, but I had this problem with fish. I mentioned it to my mother & found she was the same. I would suggest you try taking charcoal capsules at the same time as onions & see if they improve things.
Onions and other members of the allium family such as garlic and shallots, are high in sulphur compounds like allyl methyl sulphide, which contribute to their strong smell and taste. They are broken down in the digestive tract and can also be excreted through the skin.
Most people will develop a bit of a smell when they consume onions and garlic, but it could be that your body has difficulties in breaking down these specific compounds in onions, and this is why your body scent might be stronger. It could be that you are lacking a specific enzyme that helps with the metabolism of these compounds or perhaps that you are not producing enough of it to deal with it appropriately.
I came across an interesting abstract that found a connection between hypothyroidism and sulphur amino acid metabolism. In a model of hypothyroid rats, the ability to metabolise sulphur containing amino acids was diminished, where as hyperthyroidism was associated with an increased metabolic activity.
When I was at college training to be a Holistic Therapist we were advised not to eat onions or garlic the night before working with a patient as the the compounds are naturally broken down and excreted through the skin. So although you can use breath freshners, it is harder to remove the smell from your skin.
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One for the ladies!!!! 
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