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Allergies
General Information
NEWS:
Allergy Proofing Your Environment
Cashews cause worse allergic response than peanuts "Peanuts may be more notorious, but cashews seem to trigger more severe allergic reactions in children. In a study of 141 children with allergies to cashews or peanuts, British researchers found that cashew reactions were generally more serious."
Christmas Trees: Source of Indoor Mold? " "Our study demonstrates that a live Christmas tree can be a significant source of mold spores. Therefore, we recommend families with allergies in general and mold allergies in particular not keep a live Christmas tree in their homes for more than a few days at most, and remove it sooner if there are signs of increased allergy symptoms," Santilli says. "
Five percent of U.S. adults report food allergy "More than 5 percent of U.S. adults may have food allergies, and many of them say food labels make it hard to protect themselves, according to a government study. …. Roughly half of these individuals were allergic to one or more of the eight most common food allergens: milk and other dairy foods; fish; eggs; crustaceans like lobster and shrimp; tree nuts such as walnuts; peanuts; soy; and wheat. Others said they were allergic to some type of fruit or vegetable, chocolate, a food additive, or shellfish (which the law defines as separate from crustaceans). "
Fragrances as a cause of food allergy. (Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2007) “The avoidance of packed food labelled as containing flavours among the ingredients caused the disappearance of the above reported symptoms.”
Half Europe allergic by 2015 "The allergic conditions which are most common are asthma, eczema, rhinitis (hay fever), urticaria (hives) and food allergies. … The meeting heard that most allergies are caused by a short list of triggers, and house dust is the most common cause across Europe. But new sources such as kiwi-fruit, ragweed, and some spices are causing unpleasant reactions."
Hot Water Wash Rids Laundry of Allergens: Study "Doing your laundry in hot water -- 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) -- kills 100 percent of allergy-causing dust mites, compared to 6.5 percent of dust mites when using warm water -- 40 degrees C (104 degrees F), South Korean researchers find. Hot water is also more effective at ridding laundry of other allergens such as dog dander and pollen, according to lead researcher Jung-Won Park of Yonsei University in Seoul. He also offered an effective alternative to using hot water -- wash laundry at a lower temperature (between 30-40 degrees C -- 86-104 degrees F), and then rinse the laundry in cold water twice, for three minutes each time."
Kids and Allergies: Inform the School "That's why the organization recommends that children and families become aware of common allergens and asthmatic triggers at school, including: dust mites, chalk dust, pollen and molds, exercise, insect stings and dander from a class pet or animal hair on someone's clothing. Children with food sensitivities also should not share food with friends. Foods that account for 90percent of food allergies are milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and tree nuts."
Milk And Egg Allergies Harder To Outgrow “Considered “transitional” a generation ago, milk and egg allergies now appear to be more persistent and harder to outgrow, according to new research from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.”
Paving the Pastures: Urban Life and Allergy
Researchers at Children's Discover Connection between Allergic Diseases and Autoimmune Diseases "A new study by researchers at Children’s and the University of Washington (UW) identifies a connection between allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, and autoimmune diseases."
The Hygiene Hypothesis: Are Cleanlier Lifestyles Causing More Allergies For Kids?
Your Pillows Are Full of Fungus: 'Small Zoo' Buzzes Beneath Our Sleeping Heads, Researchers Say "Though feather pillows do carry a lot of fungi, they don't carry as much or as many different types as synthetic pillows, Woodcock's team reports in the current online issue of the journal Allergy."
ARTICLES:
JOURNAL ARTICLES:
A Bidirectional Relationship Between Psychosocial Factors and Atopic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (Psychosom Med. 2007) “Conclusions: The current review revealed a robust relationship between psychosocial factors and atopic disorders. This supports the use of psychological in addition to conventional physical and pharmacological interventions, in the successful prevention and management of atopic disorders.”
[Allergy for cashew nuts and peanuts] (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2007)
[Anaphylaxis: facts and fallacies] (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2007) "The most common causes ofanaphylaxis are food allergens, such as peanut and tree nuts, insect stings, and drugs, in particular antibiotics. Many patients with peanut or tree nut allergy show only mild allergic symptoms; only a minority develop anaphylaxis upon exposure. A large local reaction to an insect sting does not constitute insect sting allergy and does not increase the risk of anaphylaxis when stung again. Intramuscular epinephrine is the drug of choice in the treatment of anaphylaxis; antihistaminic agents and corticosteroids are supportive therapeutic agents which should only be considered after epinephrine has been administered."
[Anaphylaxis in two children caused by peanut and nut allergies; recommendations for treatment] (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2007) "The most important therapeutic intervention is the intramuscular administration of epinephrine. For patients with two or more risk factors the prescription of an epinephrine auto-injector should be considered."
Atopic dermatitis in adolescent boys is associated with greater psychological morbidity compared with girls of the same age: the Young-HUNT study. (Br J Dermatol. 2007) "Conclusions In adolescents aged 13-19 years there was a strong and significant association between self-reported mental distress and AD as well as headache and neck or shoulder pain for both sexes. Although boys reported fewer complaints as AD, they perceived the complaints a heavier burden than did the girls."
Cardiovascular disease and anaphylaxis. (Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007)
Cashew nut causes more severe reactions than peanut: case-matched comparison in 141 children (Allergy 2007) "Conclusions: Previous studies show cashew nut can cause severe reactions; this is the first study to show by case-matching that severe clinical reactions occur more frequently in cashew compared with peanut allergy. The nut type which caused the worst reaction to date should be considered when providing emergency medication."
Chronic Cough: The Allergist's Perspective. (Lung. 2007)
Chronic productive cough in young adults is very often due to chronic rhino-sinusitis. (Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2007)
Delayed food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis. (Allergy Asthma Proc. 2007)
Detection and Quantification of Pharaoh Ant Antigens in Household Dust Samples as Newly Identified Aeroallergens. (Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2007)
Difficulties in avoiding exposure to allergens in cosmetics. (Contact Dermatitis. 2007) "Reading of ingredient labels is a major problem for patients with contact allergy to allergens in consumer products. It is a general problem for all patients and not restricted to a small group with multiple allergies."
Egg allergy: Are all childhood food allergies the same? (J Paediatr Child Health. 2007) "Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in childhood affecting about 1-2% of preschool children and differs in a number of ways from other common childhood food allergies such as cows milk and peanut. Common egg allergens are altered both by heat and gastric enzymes. Compared with peanuts/tree nuts and milk, egg allergy appears less likely to cause severe life-threatening reactions or fatal anaphylaxis. Children are much more likely to outgrow egg allergy by school age as compared with peanut allergy."
Epidemiological and immunological evidence for the hygiene hypothesis. (Immunobiology. 2007) " … hypothesized that high living standards and hygienic conditions are correlated with an increased risk for the development of an allergic disease. This so-called "hygiene hypothesis" states that due to reduced exposure to microbial components, the proposed allergy-preventing potential of these factors is no more present in sufficient qualities and/or quantities, which leads to an imbalance of the immune system with a predisposition to the development of allergic disorders."
Excess dampness and mold growth in homes: an evidence-based review of the aeroirritant effect and its potential causes. (Allergy Asthma Proc. 2007)
Fatal anaphylaxis: postmortem findings and associated comorbid diseases. (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007) "BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is an infrequent cause of sudden death. Death often results from circulatory collapse, respiratory arrest, or both. … CONCLUSIONS: (1) Elderly patients with substantial comorbid conditions constituted a significant number of the anaphylactic fatalities; (2) the onset of severe anaphylaxis occurred in less than 30 minutes in nearly every case; (3) 18 of 23 cases were associated with specific anatomical findings of anaphylaxis; (4) self-administered epinephrine was used in just 1 of 5 cases; and (5) serum total tryptase concentrations were elevated markedly in 4 of 7 cases tested."
Food allergies. (Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2007)
[Food allergy] (Rev Prat. 2007) "The prevalence of food allergies increases in industrialized countries: 3% in general population, up to 6% of children. Food allergy has a genetic basis. The recent increase is thought to be due to a change in environmental factors, including changes in diet and reduced exposure to early childhood infection. Food allergies present with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, oral syndrome, asthma, rhinitis, gastrointestinal disorders."
Food allergy and asthma morbidity in children. (Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007) "CONCLUSION: Peanut and milk allergies were associated with increased hospitalization and steroid use and may serve as early markers for increased asthma morbidity."
Food Allergy Overview in Children. (Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2007) "Milk, soy, egg, wheat, and peanut allergies are common in children, whereas peanut, tree nut, fish, shell fish allergies, and allergies to fruits and vegetables are common in adults."
Food allergy: a practical update from the gastroenterological viewpoint. (J Pediatr (Rio J). 2007) "CONCLUSION: The overdiagnosis of food allergy is quite prevalent. There is a need for standardization of definitions and diagnostic procedures. The primary goal of therapy should be to first establish effective means of preventing food allergies. There is a need for accurate diagnostic methods to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. Patients need appropriate treatment by eliminating foods that cause symptoms, while avoiding the nutritional side effects and the cost of inappropriate diets."
House dust mite allergen avoidance and self-management in allergic patients with asthma: randomised controlled trial. (Br J Gen Pract. 2007) "CONCLUSION: House dust mite impermeable bed covers combined with self-management do not lead to reduced use of ICS compared with self-management alone."
Idiopathic anaphylaxis. (Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2007)
Insect sting anaphylaxis. (Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2007)
Intimate behavior and allergy: a narrative review. (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007) “RESULTS: Sex and intimate behavior seem to be increasingly described as triggers of allergic reactions, although the pertaining literature is represented mostly by case reports. Kissing has been described as a risk factor for food- and drug-induced severe reactions. Seminal plasma allergy has been repeatedly described and investigated. In this case, practical diagnostic algorithms have been proposed, and desensitization protocols are available. Similarly, there are numerous case reports of allergic reaction due to latex condoms, for which the diagnostic procedure is standardized.”
Longitudinal study on cat allergen exposure and the development of allergy in young children. (J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007) "CONCLUSION: Cat allergen exposure in infancy increases the risk of sensitization development in early childhood but not in school-age children. Cumulative allergen exposure from cat ownership and regular cat contact during childhood contribute to sensitization development up to school age. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Cat allergen avoidance at home alone might be not effective to prevent the development of allergic sensitization in young children."
Mediators of anaphylaxis. (Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2007) "Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition closely linked to IgE activation of mast cells with subsequent release of preformed mediators, including histamine, neutral proteases (tryptase and chymase), and proteoglycans (eg, heparin) from intracellular granules. These factors participate in the development of classic symptoms involving the skin, respiratory tract, circulation, and gastrointestinal system."
Not all farming environments protect against the development of asthma and wheeze in children. (J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007)
Patterns of quantitative food-specific IgE-antibodies and reported food hypersensitivity in 4-year-old children. (Allergy. 2007)
Prevalence and risk factors of allergies in Turkey: Results of a multicentric cross-sectional study in children. (Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2007) "Parental history of allergy, having an atopic sibling and other atopic disease in index case was significant risk factors for all allergic diseases. Breast feeding decreased the risk of current asthma (OR: 0.92, CI: 0.86-0.99) and wheezing (OR: 0.93, CI: 0.87-0.99) but not allergic rhinitis and eczema. Respiratory infection in the past was an important risk factor for the occurrence of allergic diseases especially for asthma which was increased 4.53-fold. Children exposed to household smoke were significantly at higher risk of asthma, wheezing, and allergic rhinitis … All allergic diseases were increased in those children living in areas which have altitude of below 1000 m and mean yearly atmospheric pressure above 1000 mb."
[Prevalence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms in a Coruna (Spain).] (An Pediatr (Barc). 2007)
Recorded infections and antibiotics in early life; associations with allergy in UK children and their parents. (Thorax. 2007)
Relationship between nickel allergy and diet. (Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2007)
Seasonal trends in house dust mite allergen in children’s beds over a 7-year period (Allergy 2007) "Conclusions: House dust mite allergen concentrations in Sydney beds fluctuate approximately two- to threefold on an annual cycle, partly determined by relative humidity, with peaks in late autumn and minima in summer. Fluctuations of this magnitude might be sufficient to influence asthma symptoms."
The association between allergies and cancer: what is currently known? (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2007)
The link between the epidemics of obesity and allergic diseases: does obesity induce decreased immune tolerance? (Allergy. 2007)
The natural history of peanut and tree nut allergy. (Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2007) "Peanut and tree nut allergies were once thought to be permanent. Recent studies have shown that about 20% and 10%, respectively, of young patients may outgrow peanut and tree nut allergies. For the majority of patients, however, the natural history is not favorable. In addition, approximately 8% of patients who outgrow peanut allergy may suffer a recurrence."
The pathophysiology of shock in anaphylaxis. (Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2007)
The peanut allergy epidemic: allergen molecular characterisation and prospects for specific therapy. (Expert Rev Mol Med. 2007) "Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergy is a major cause of food-induced anaphylaxis, with increasing prevalence worldwide. To date, there is no cure for peanut allergy, and, unlike many other food allergies, it usually persists through to adulthood. Prevention of exposure to peanuts is managed through strict avoidance, which can be compromised by the frequent use of peanuts and peanut products in food preparations. Conventional subcutaneous-injection allergen immunotherapy using crude peanut extract is not a recommended treatment because of the risk of severe side effects, largely as a result of specific IgE antibodies."
The prevalence of atopy and asthma among university freshmen in Seoul, Korea: association with obesity. (J Asthma. 2007) "The prevalence of asthma among university freshmen is seriously under-diagnosed and leptin may play a role in bronchodilator reversibility in overweight/obese young men."
The Spectrum of Fungal Allergy. (Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2007)
Type I latex allergy: a follow-up study. (J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2007)
Update on epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis. (Curr Opin Pediatr. 2007) "Epinephrine injected intramuscularly is the treatment of choice, but there remain gaps in physician knowledge despite increases in hospitalization rates for anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is also underused by parents, day-care centers and schools."
What Characterizes House Dust Mite Sensitive Individuals in a House Dust Mite Free Community in Reykjavik, Iceland? (Allergol Int. 2007)
What Is Anaphylaxis? (Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007) "The epidemiology of anaphylaxis has been described in very few published reports.[4-11] There are about 100 000 episodes each year in the USA, of which two-thirds are new cases, and almost 1% are fatal. Some have estimated that 10-20% of the US population is at risk for anaphylaxis by virtue of past history or existing sensitization.[7] Although most cases can be traced to specific trigger factors, some 20% or more are designated as idiopathic.[8-12] Even the treatment of anaphylaxis is controversial. Although epinephrine has long been held to be the treatment of choice, it is clearly underutilized and not always effective, whereas steroids are widely used despite the total lack of evidence to support this practice.[1,13-14]"
Wheat anaphylaxis in children. (Immunol Invest. 2007) "We conclude that wheat-induced anaphylaxis is a disease that is sufficiently severe, and. prevention of first wheat-induced anaphylaxis episodes is almost impossible. It would, however, probably be good practice to educate physicians to recognize the common clinical manifestations of this disease for early management."
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