I think I discovered an allergy today, anyone sensitive to MSG?

  • I made this stuff last night....
    it's boiled chicken breast shredded, then chopped celery & carrots boiled with the seasoning packet (chicken flavor), then the whole thing gets poured over Ramen noodles (lol I don't make it often, and I'm not dieting yet)

    anyhoo...... I woke up throughout the night itching my head and tummy, then this morning I noticed I have a fine rash of tiny pimples all over my chest/stomach/back/arms/face. Itchy too. The more I thought about it, I was drowsy last night and a tad nauseated too.

    I've gotten this a couple times before but never made the connection. But when I was thinking what the heck I ate yesterday... it dawned on me MSG because the only other thing would've been the 5 cookies and glass of milk LOL

    Anyone else have a reaction to MSG? Did you get a rash? Kinda sucks because like any other chubby chick, I looooooove chinese food.
    Maybe a bessing in disguise...
  • I am sensitive to MSG, but I do not get a rash like you described. I do get migraines from it, and therefore take pains to avoid it. I love Chinese food and I have been able to navigate my way around MSG by finding restaurants that do not use it, and requesting it NOT be used if I can, and finding ingredients that do not have it in them. I have found just about everything I could want, including Hoisin, and Duck sauces, without MSG. My husband, who is a biochemist, tells me it is a neurotoxin and should be avoided!
  • Hey thanks Ellen, I had no idea it's a neurotoxin! Well it will definitely be avoided, I wanted to see if that was truly the cause so I ate the leftovers last night.... Woke up again with the rash and this time I felt hungover.
    So crazy!
    Thanks for the input
  • i dont think im sensitive to it but my little nephew is sensitive and often has hives and asthma issues after eating Chinese food
  • I've noticed my face turns bright red after I eat things that contain it.. which isn't often, but still a little awkward! (This also happens with alcohol.. it's like wearing my heart on my sleeve, but my diet on my face. )
  • I get terrible headaches from it, and hives that stick around for a few days. I do my best to avoid it, and I hate when it turns up in something I didn't expect. I spend a lot of time checking E numbers on food packaging to make sure it isn't in food, but it's well worth it to avoid feeling awful after eating it!