Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Symptom Complex (Chinese Restaurant Syndrome): Nightmare of Chinese Food Lovers!

Chinese food, containing the ingredient monosodium glutamate (MSG) as the main additive agent, results in a variety of symptoms in susceptible individuals. The spectrum of symptoms ranges from headache, sweating, abdominal pain, and urticaria to angioedema in severe cases. This group of symptoms is known as MSG symptom complex or Chinese restaurant syndrome (CRS). We reported one such case with unique dermatological manifestations in a young male, developed on the consumption of Chinese food, noticed first-time as per our knowledge. An adolescent male presented to the Emergency Department with high-grade fever, cough, shock, congested throat, and generalized skin rashes. After giving the history of ingestion of Chinese food prior to symptom onset, we suspected him of a case of CRS; our diagnosis was further supported by raised absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in the blood. The patient was given intramuscular adrenaline and intravenous corticosteroid in the emergencys department for anaphylaxis, followed by oral antihistaminic.