Why do onions make your eyes burn?
When we cut an onion, it releases a volatile gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. When this gas comes into contact with our eyes, it reacts with the water on our eye surface to form a mild sulfuric acid. This acid irritates the eyes, leading to a burning or stinging sensation. In response, our tear glands produce tears as a protective mechanism to flush out the irritant and reduce its concentration on the eye surface.
The tear glands, also known as lacrimal glands, are located above the outer corner of each eye. They continually produce tears to keep the eyes moist and protect them from foreign particles. When we encounter an irritant like the gas released by an onion, the tear glands go into overdrive, producing a larger volume of tears than usual. These tears contain a combination of water, mucus, oils, and antibodies, which help to wash away the irritant and provide relief to the eyes.
Why do onions make you cry and how do you stop it?
While cutting onions can cause temporary discomfort and tears, there are a few measures you can take to minimize the effect:
- Chill the onion: Refrigerate the onion for around 30 minutes before cutting. The cold temperature helps to slow down the release of the irritant gas, reducing its potency.
- Cut near running water: By cutting onions under a stream of running water or near a running faucet, the gas released is quickly carried away from your eyes. This reduces the amount of gas that comes into contact with your eyes.
- Use a sharp knife: A sharp knife creates cleaner cuts, which can help minimize the damage to onion cells and reduce the release of the irritant gas.
- Work under a vent or fan: Position a fan or vent to blow the gas away from your face while cutting onions. This helps to disperse the gas and prevent it from reaching your eyes.
- Wear goggles or glasses: Protective eyewear, such as goggles or glasses, can create a barrier between your eyes and the onion's irritant gas, preventing it from reaching your eyes.
Remember that these methods may not completely eliminate the tears, as the gas can still irritate your eyes to some extent. However, employing these techniques can significantly reduce the discomfort caused by cutting onions.
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