Test Results & Rash Indicators

7/1/2017:  Test Results & Rash Indicators

According to a report titled, "Critical Issues in Food Allergy: A National Academies Consensus Report," a positive allergy result is only an indicator of a possible allergy, it is not a final determinant.  "These tests detect IgE antibodies to the food but are not typically intrinsically diagnostic. For example, in 111 OFCs performed in 44 children avoiding foods because of positive test results, 93% were tolerant of the avoided food."  To further complicate matters, sometimes when there is no IgE antibody a serious food symptom can result such as blood in stools. The report indicated that rashes are a symptom of a food-related issue and may take longer to appear and may be in combination of a variety of symptoms. Even worse, rashes can cause the skin to increase sensitivities to allergens if touched. 

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2017/07/19/peds.2017-0194.full 

Vaccinations Trigger Allergens

9/17/2016:  Vaccinations Trigger Allergens

The CDC now agrees with 1913, Nobel Prize-winning French physiologist Charles Richet who discovered that any proteins which are injected into the bloodstream will result in the development of an allergy to that protein.  Apparently our vaccines contain proteins such as casein, eggs and yeast, which cause food allergies.[1]

9/25/2016:  Dairy Allergy Probiotics

A study with about 220 children showed that when they had the probiotics called 'Clostridia' and 'Frimicutes' in their digestive tract they were more likely to outgrow the dairy allergy over several years. [Oddly additional research indicates these strains are highly toxic so physican oversight should be had.]  A similar study indicated that antibiotics under the age of 1 can increase the chance of having food allergies.[2]

[1] http://yournewswire.com/cdc-research-concludes-vaccines-cause-food-allergies/

[2] http://allergenbureau.net/roles-antibiotics-probiotics-development-resolution-food-allergy/

IBS, Prebiotics and Allergies

11/6/2015:  Prebiotics Can Prevent Allergies

Prebiotics stimulate the growth of bacteria in the intestine. Antoine Magnan, researcher at France's Inserm research institute concluded that, "Adding prebiotics thus considerably reduced the severity of the allergies [in mice]."  [1]

11/12/2015:  IBS and Allergies Are Linked

The Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology summarized the results of two studies that both concluded that food allergies and related genes increase the chances of having IBS.  Dr. Antonio Carroccio, Ospedale Civili Riuniti in Italy, states, the link between IBS and having genes that raise your risk of getting certain allergies is well known and real. [2]

[1]  http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/prebiotics-help-prevent-food/2015/11/06/id/700937/

[2]  http://www.webmd.com/ibs/news/20151112/food-allergies-ibs-diarrhea

Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research

9/8/2015: Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research Discovery

Scientists from Switzerland, Japan and the U.S. have discovered that mast cells responsible for causing an  allergic reaction, might be able to help suppress it as well, because those cells are so active.  This is a possible new way to deal with allergies. [1]

9/25/2015:  International Food Allergy Alliance Meeting

Worldwide, 220 million people have food allergies.  The International Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance comprised of 20 international partners, meets from September 27th to 29th with a focus on encouraging the commercial sector to get involved with physicans, food companies and pharmaceutical scientists to help find a cure.  [2]  

[1]  www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150908094114.htm

[2]  http://www.foodallergy.org/2015/092515

Allergy Definition

What is an allergy?  To my generation and my parents' generation it basically meant a runny nose.  But over the past forty years, a lot has changed.  There can be much frustration in trying to explain the seriousness of a true allergy to adults and grandparents for this reason.  To exacerbate the problem, there is no good way to prove the point.  In other words, one cannot show another person or grandparent what a reaction looks like because it is simply too dangerous. 

Here are a few definitions that likely contribute to the misunderstanding of serious food allergies: "A damaging immune response by the body to a substance, especially pollen, fur, a particular food, or dust, to which it has become hypersensitive." Or, "An allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Symptoms include red eyes, itchiness, and runny nose, eczema, hives, or an asthma attack."

Instead, I'd recommend explaining a real food allergy--one that can result in anaphylaxis--as a "serious allergy" or an "anaphylactic allergy."  Then if someone asks what is meant by serious or anaphylactic, part of this definition from WebMD can be provided, "Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction. It's a medical emergency.  Most people with allergies never have anaphylaxis. But when it happens, it works like this:  Within minutes or hours of being exposed to your allergy trigger, your body starts a chain reaction that temporarily widens your blood vessels, which can lower your blood pressure. You may pass out. You may get hives and swelling, especially around your face and throat. You may have trouble breathing, talking, or swallowing."

Part of our responsibility as parents or people with serious allergies is to educate others.  We can't give up.  Thank you.

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http://www.webmd.com/allergies/understanding-anaphylaxis-basics