Allergies and Sensitivities

Allergies and Sensitivities


Alternative Medicine
The following information is specific for alternative and complementary medicine. For additional evidence-based information on diseases, conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and wellness issues, continue searching the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

Overview

What you need to know

Take action to control your allergies. Breathe easy by learning more about how to manage symptoms. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:

  • Clean it up
  • Control household allergens like dust, mold, and animal dander to reduce your overall allergic load
  • Help children avoid allergies with beneficial bacteria
  • Take a probiotic supplement containing high-potency beneficial bacteria (probiotics) during pregnancy and give them to newborns to help reduce the risk of children developing allergies
  • Watch what you eat
  • Work with a specialist in food sensitivities to see if certain foods are causing your allergies
  • See a healthcare provider
  • Find a professional to help you manage your allergies

These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full allergies and sensitivities article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.

About allergies

Allergies are responses mounted by the immune system to a particular food, inhalant (airborne substance), or chemical. In popular terminology, the terms "allergies" and "sensitivities" are often used to mean the same thing, although many sensitivities are not true allergies. The term "sensitivity" is general and may include true allergies, reactions that do not affect the immune system (and therefore are not technically allergies), and reactions for which the cause has yet to be determined.

Some non-allergic types of sensitivity are called intolerances and may be caused by toxins, enzyme inadequacies, drug-like chemical reactions, psychological associations, and other mechanisms.1 Examples of well-understood intolerances are lactose intolerance and phenylketonuria. Environmental sensitivity or intolerance are terms sometimes used for reactions to chemicals found either indoors or outdoors in food, water, medications, cosmetics, perfumes, textiles, building materials, and plastics. Detecting allergies and other sensitivities and then eliminating or reducing exposure to the sources is often a time-consuming and challenging task that is difficult to undertake without the assistance of an expert.

Check list

Product ratings for an allergy or sensitivity

RatingNutritional SupplementsHerbs
2Stars

Probiotics (food allergy)
Thymus extracts

 
1Star

Betaine hydrochloride (food allergy)
Enzymes (food allergy)
Flavonoids
Quercetin

 
See also:  Homeopathic Remedies for Allergies and Sensitivities
3Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms may include itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; headache; fatigue; postnasal drip; runny, stuffy, or itchy nose; sore throat; dark circles under the eyes; an itchy feeling in the mouth or throat; abdominal pain; diarrhea; and the appearance of an itchy, red skin rash. Life-threatening allergic reactions-most commonly to peanuts, nuts, shellfish, and some drugs-are uncommon. When they do occur, initial symptoms may include trouble breathing and difficulty swallowing.

Diet

Dietary changes that may be helpful

A low-allergen diet, also known as an elimination diet or a hypoallergenic diet is often recommended to people with suspected food allergies to find out if avoiding foods that commonly trigger allergies will provide relief from symptoms.118 This diet eliminates foods and food additives considered to be common allergens, such as wheat, dairy, eggs, corn, soy, citrus fruits, nuts, peanuts, tomatoes, food coloring and preservatives, coffee, and chocolate. Some popular books offer guidance to people who want to attempt this type of diet.119, 120 The low-allergen diet is not a treatment for people with food allergies, however. Rather, it is a diagnostic tool used to help discover which foods a person is sensitive to. It is maintained only until a reaction to a food or foods has been diagnosed or ruled out. Once food reactions have been identified, only those foods that are causing a reaction are subsequently avoided; all other foods that had previously been eaten are once again added to the diet. While individual recommendations regarding how long a low-allergen diet should be adhered to vary from five days to three weeks, many nutritionally oriented doctors believe that a two-week trial is generally sufficient for the purpose of diagnosing food reactions.

Strict avoidance of allergenic foods for a period of time (usually months or years) sometimes results in the foods no longer causing allergic reactions.121 Restrictive elimination diets and food reintroduction should be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful

People with inhalant allergies are often advised to reduce exposure to common household allergens like dust, mold, and animal dander, in the hope that this will reduce symptoms even if other, non-household allergens cannot be avoided.122 Strategies include removing carpets, frequent cleaning and vacuuming, using special air filters in the home heating system, choosing allergen-reducing bed and pillow coverings, and limiting household pets' access to sleeping areas.

Supplements

Vitamins that may be helpful

Probiotics may be important in the control of food allergies because of their ability to improve digestion, by helping the intestinal tract control the absorption of food allergens and/or by changing immune system responses to foods.123, 124, 125 One group of researchers has reported using probiotics to successfully treat infants with food allergies in two trials: a double-blind trial using Lactobacillus GG bacteria in infant formula, and a preliminary trial giving the same bacteria to nursing mothers.126 Probiotics may also be important in non-allergy types of food intolerance caused by imbalances in the normal intestinal flora.127

Thymomodulin® is a special preparation of the thymus gland of calves. In a double-blind study of allergic children who had successfully completed an elimination diet, 120 mg per day of thymomodulin prevented allergic skin reactions to food and lowered blood levels of antibodies associated with those foods.128 These results confirmed similar findings in an earlier, controlled trial.129

According to one theory, allergies are triggered by partially undigested protein. Proteolytic enzymes may reduce allergy symptoms by further breaking down undigested protein to sizes that are too small to cause allergic reactions.130 Preliminary human evidence supports this theory.131Hydrochloric acid secreted by the stomach also helps the digestion of protein, and preliminary research suggests that some people with allergies may not produce adequate amounts of stomach acid.132, 133, 134 However, no controlled trials have investigated the use of enzyme supplements to improve digestion as a treatment for food allergies.

Many of the effects of allergic reactions are caused by the release of histamine, which is the reason antihistamine medication is often used by allergy sufferers. Some natural substances, such as vitamin C135, 136 and flavonoids,137 including quercetin,138, 139 have demonstrated antihistamine effects in test tube, animal, and other preliminary studies. However, no research has investigated whether these substances can specifically reduce allergic reactions in humans.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.

Herbs

Herbs that may be helpful

See the articles on specific health conditions listed above for information on the effectiveness of herbs for each condition.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.

Other Alternatives

Holistic approaches that may be helpful

Acupuncture may be helpful in the treatment of some types of allergy. Studies of mice treated with acupuncture provide evidence of an anti-allergic effect with results similar to treatment with corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs).140, 141, 142 A preliminary trial found a significant decrease in allergy symptoms following acupuncture treatment. It was found that the decline in symptoms coincided with a decline in laboratory measures of allergy. Relief persisted for two months following the treatment.143 Other preliminary trials have also demonstrated positive results.144 One controlled trial reported a reduction in allergic complaints following acupuncture treatment, but the results were not statistically significant.145 In the future, controlled trials with larger numbers of subjects may help to determine conclusively whether allergies can be successfully treated with acupuncture therapy.

Provocation-neutralization is a controversial method of both allergy testing and treatment. Treatment consists of injecting minute dilutions of foods, inhalants, or (in some cases) chemicals into the lower layers of the skin. This approach is not the same as traditional desensitization injections given by medical allergy specialists. Preliminary146, 147 and double-blind148, 149 research suggests treatment of allergies by provocation-neutralization may be effective, though negative double-blind research also exists.150

Allergy treatment using extracts of allergens taken orally is another controversial method advocated by some alternative healthcare practitioners.151 Most152, 153, 154, 155 but not all double-blind trials156, 157 have found this approach effective for house dust allergy. Preliminary158 and double-blind159, 160, 161 trials have reported success using this method for other allergies as well.

Treatment of food allergy using very small but increasing daily doses of actual foods has been reported,162 and in one controlled trial163 12 of 14 patients successfully completed the program and could tolerate previously allergenic foods.

All desensitization programs require the guidance of a healthcare professional. While none of these approaches has been unequivocally proven, several show promise that people with allergies may be treatable by means other than simple avoidance of the offending food or inhalant substance.

What tests can detect allergies? Several tests or procedures are used by physicians to detect allergies. Most of these tests remain controversial.164 Some clinicians (cited below), however, believe some of these tests can be effective.

Scratch testing

This form of testing is one of the most widely used. A patient's skin is scratched with a needle that contains a portion of the food, inhalant, or chemical that is being tested. After a period of time, the skin is examined for reactions. If there is a reaction, it is determined that an allergy exists. Although this test is accepted by most allergists, scratch testing is subject to a relatively high incidence of inaccurate results, some tests showing positive when the person is not truly allergic to the substance (false positive) and some tests showing negative when an allergy really exists (false negative).

RAST/MAST/PRIST/ELISA (and other tests that measure immunoglobulins)

The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) indirectly measures antibodies in the blood that react to specific foods. It is used by many physicians and has been shown to be a somewhat reliable indicator of allergies.165, 166 It does not, however, help diagnose non-allergic food sensitivities and is therefore associated with a high risk of false negative readings. In an attempt to avoid this problem, a variety of modifications have been made to tests related to RAST (such as MAST, PRIST, and ELISA). Some of these changes may have reduced the risk of false negative readings somewhat but are likely to have increased the risk of false positive readings. A number of conditions associated with food sensitivities, such as migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome, have shown remarkably poor correlation between RAST results and the actual sensitivities of patients.

Cytotoxic testing

The cytotoxic test views a patient's serum under a microscope to see whether it is reacting to certain substances. The test is subject to numerous errors and is not generally considered to be reliable.167

Clinical ecology (provocation-neutralization; end-point titration)

This branch of medicine is considered very controversial. Testing is done using intra-dermal (under the skin) injections of minute dilutions of foods, inhalants or (in some cases) chemicals. Based on reactions, additional dilutions are used. This test not only determines whether an allergy exists but also operates on the theory that one dilution can trigger a reaction while another can neutralize a reaction. Preliminary research suggests this approach may have beneficial effects,168, 169 A similar method uses these dilutions under the tongue to test for allergies.170 Double-blind research has not found this method effective. 171

Elimination and reintroduction

The most reliable way to determine a food allergy is to have the patient eliminate a suspected food from the diet for a period of time and then reintroduce it later. Once a food is eliminated, the symptoms it may be causing either improve or resolve, typically after several days to three weeks. The body then becomes more sensitive to the food, so when the food is reintroduced, the symptom is more likely to recur. This tool shows with a high degree of certainty which foods are problem foods. The testing requires a great deal of patience and, as with all other forms of allergy testing, is best undertaken with the help of a physician who can monitor the diet.172 Reintroduction of an allergenic food has been reported to lead occasionally to dangerous reactions in some people with certain conditions, particularly asthma-another reason this approach should not be attempted without supervision.

Other tests

Bioelectric tests are controversial procedures that attempt to measure changes in electrical activity at acupuncture points when a potential allergen is brought into proximity. A preliminary study reported that the EAV (Electroacupuncture According to Voll) device, also called the Vega test, identified the same allergens as RAST testing in 70.5 percent of tests.173 Another preliminary study found the Vega test identified the same neutralization doses as clinical ecology testing (see above) in 66% of tests.174 More research is needed to better evaluate these testing techniques.

References

1. David TJ. Adverse reactions and intolerance to foods. Br Med Bull 2000;56:34-50 [review].
2. Breneman JC. Basics of Food Allergy. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas, 1978, 45-53.
3. Darlington LG, Ramsey NW, Mansfield JR. Placebo­controlled, blind study of dietary manipulation therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1986;i:236-8.
4. Beri D, Malaviya AN, Shandilya R, Singh RR. Effect of dietary restrictions on disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 1988;47:69-72.
5. Panush RS. Possible role of food sensitivity in arthritis. Ann Allerg 1988;61(part 2):31-5.
6. Taylor MR. Food allergy as an etiological factor in arthropathies: a survey. J Internat Acad Prev Med 1983;8:28-38 [review].
7. Darlington LG, Ramsey NW. Diets for rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet 1991;338:1209 [letter].
8. Rowe AH, Young EJ. Bronchial asthma due to food allergy alone in ninety-five patients. JAMA 1959;169:1158.
9. Genton C, Frei PC, Pecoud A. Value of oral provocation tests to aspirin and food additives in the routine investigation of asthma and chronic urticaria. J Asthma 1985;76:40-5.
10. Townes SJ, Mellis CM. Role of acetyl salicylic acid and sodium metabisulfite in chronic childhood asthma. Pediatrics 1984;73:631-7.
11. Boris M, Mandel FS. Foods and additives are common causes of the attention deficit hyperactive disorder in children. Ann Allergy 1994;72:462-8.
12. Carter CM, Urbanowicz M, Hemsley R, et al. Effects of a few food diet in attention deficit disorder. Arch Dis Child 1993;69:564-8.
13. Egger J, Stolla A, McEwen LM. Controlled trial of hyposensitisation in children with food-induced hyperkinetic syndrome. Lancet 1992;339:1150-3.
14. Horesh AJ. Allergy and infection. Proof of infectious etiology. J Asthma Res 1967;4:269-82.
15. Rudolph JA. Allergy as a cause of frequent recurring colds and coughs in children. Dis Chest 1940;6:138.
16. Berman BA. Pseudomononucleosis of allergic origin: a new clinical entity. Ann Allergy 1964;22:403-9.
17. Kudelco N. Allergy in chronic monilial vaginitis. Ann Allergy 1971;29:266-7.
18. Crandall, M. Allergic predisposition and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. J Advancement Med 1991;4:21-38 [review].
19. Hay KD, Reade PC. The use of an elimination diet in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration of the oral cavity. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1984;57:504-7.
20. Wray D. Gluten-sensitive recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Dig Dis Sci 1981;26:737-40.
21. Wright A, Ryan FP, Willingham SE, et al. Food allergy or intolerance in severe recurrent aphthous ulceration of the mouth. BMJ 1986;292:1237.
22. Wray D, Vlagopoulos TP, Siraganian RP. Food allergens and basophil histamine release in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1982;54:338-95.
23. Faulkner-Hogg KB, Selby WS, Loblay RH. Dietary analysis in symptomatic patients with coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet: the role of trace amounts of gluten and non-gluten food intolerances. Scand J Gastroenterol 1999;34:784-9.
24. Sewell P, Cooke WT, Cox EV, Meynell MJ. Milk intolerance in gastrointestinal disorders. Lancet 1963;2:1132-5.
25. Haeney MR, Goodwin BJF, Barratt MEJ, et al. Soya protein antibodies in man: their occurrence and possible relevance in coeliac disease. J Clin Pathol 1982;35:319-22.
26. Mike N, Haeney M, Asquith P. Soya protein hypersensitivity in coeliac disease: evidence for cell mediated immunity. Gut 1983;24:A990.
27. Ament ME, Rubin CE. Soy protein-another cause of the flat intestinal lesion. Gastroenterology 1972;62:227-34.
28. Hill DJ, Hosking CS, Heine RG. Clinical spectrum of food allergy in children in Australia and South-East Asia: identification and targets for treatment. Ann Med 1999;31:272-81.
29. Jakobsson I, Lindberg T. Cow's milk proteins cause infantile colic in breast-fed infants: a double-blind crossover study. Pediatr 1983;71(2):268-71.
30. Evans RW, Fergusson DM, Allardyce RA, et al. Maternal diet and infantile colic in breast-fed infants. Lancet 1981;49:1340-2.
31. Clyne PS, Kulczycki A. Human breast milk contains bovine IgG. Relationship to infant colic? Pediatr 1991;87:439-44.
32. Hill DJ, Hudson IL, Sheffield LJ, et al. A low allergen diet is a significant intervention in infantile colic: results of a community-based study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995;96:886-92.
33. Iacono G, Cavataio F, Montalto G, et al. Intolerance of cow's milk and chronic constipation in children. N Engl J Med 1998;339:1100-4.
34. Daher S, Solé D, de Morias MB. Cow's milk and chronic constipation in children. N Engl J Med 1999;340:891.
35. Shah N, Lindley K, Milla P. N Engl J Med 199918;340:891-2.
36. Riordan AM, Hunter JO, Cowan RE, et al. Treatment of active Crohn's disease by exclusion diet: East Anglian Multicentre Controlled Trial. Lancet 1993;342:1131-4.
37. King DS. Can allergic exposure provoke psychological symptoms? A double-blind test. Biol Psychiatry 1981;16:3-19.
38. Brown M, Gibney M, Husband PR, Radcliffe M. Food allergy in polysymptomatic patients. Practitioner 1981;225:1651-4.
39. James JM, Burks AW. Food-associated gastrointestinal disease. Curr Opin Pediatr 1996;8:471-5 [review].
40. McMahan JT, Calenoff E, Croft J, et al. Chronic otitis media with effusion and allergy: modified RAST analysis of 119 cases. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1981;89:427-31.
41. Nsouli TM, Nsouli SM, Linde RE, et al. Role of food allergy in serous otitis media. Ann Allerg 1994;73:215-9.
42. Juntti H, Tikkanen S, Kokkonen J, et al. Cow's milk allergy is associated with recurrent otitis media during childhood. Acta Otolaryngol 1999;119:867-73.
43. Sampson HA, Scanlon SM. Natural history of food hypersensitivity in children with atopic dermatitis. J Pediatr 1989;115:23-7.
44. Burks AW, Mallory SB, Williams LW, Shirrell MA. Atopic dermatitis: clinical relevance of food hypersensitivity. J Pediatr 1988;113:447-51.
45. Niggemann B, Sielaff B, Beyer K, et al. Outcome of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge tests in 107 children with atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Allergy 1999;29:91-6.
46. Atherton DJ. Diet and atopic eczema. Clin Allerg 1988;18:215-28 [review].
47. Worm M, Ehlers I, Sterry W, Zuberbier T. Clinical relevance of food additives in adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Allergy 2000;30:407-14.
48. Breneman JC. Allergy elimination diet as the most effective gallbladder diet. Ann Allerg 1968;26:83-7.
49. Moneret-Vautrin DA. Cow's milk allergy. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 1999;31:201-10 [review].
50. McLain BI, Cameron DJ, Barnes GL. Is cow's milk protein intolerance a cause of gastro-oesophageal reflux in infancy? J Paediatr Child Health 1994;30:316-8.
51. Forget P, Arends JW. Cow's milk protein allergy and gastro-oesophageal reflux. Eur J Pediatr 1985;144:298-300.
52. Staiano A, Troncone R, Simeone D, et al. Differentiation of cow's milk intolerance and gastro-oesophageal reflux. Arch Dis Child 1995;73:439-42.
53. Iacono G, Carroccio A, Cavataio F, et al. Gastroesophageal reflux and cow's milk allergy in infants: a prospective study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1996:97:822-7.
54. Forget P, Arends JW. Cow's milk protein allergy and gastro-oesophageal reflux. Eur J Pediatr 1985;144:298-300.
55. Hill DJ, Cameron DS, Catto-Smith A, et al. Multiple food protein intolerance (MFPI) as a cause of reflux oesophagitis in infancy: results of a pilot study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;101:S89 [abstract].
56. Hill DJ, Hosking CS, Heine RG. Clinical spectrum of food allergy in children in Australia and South-East Asia: identification and targets for treatment. Ann Med 1999;31:272-81 [review].
57. Berens C, et al. Allergy in glaucoma. Manifestations of allergy in three glaucoma patients as determined by the pulse-diet method of Coca. Ann Allergy 1947;5:526-35.
58. Raymond LF. Allergy and chronic simple glaucoma. Ann Allergy 1964;22:146-50.
59. Speer F. Multiple food allergy. Ann Allerg 1975;34:71-6.
60. Buczylko K, Kowalczyk J, Zeman K, et al. Allergy to food in children with pollinosis. Rocz Akad Med Bialymst 1995;40:568-72.
61. Ogle KA, Bullock JD. Children with allergic rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma treated with elimination diet. Ann Allergy 1977;39:8-11.
62. Grant ECG. Food Allergies and migraine. Lancet 1979;1:966-9.
63. Henz BM, Zuberbier T. Most chronic urticaria is food-dependent, not idiopathic. Exp Dermatol 1998;7:139-42. [review].
64. Winkelmann RK. Food sensitivity and urticaria or vasculitis. In: Brostoff J, Challacombe SJ (eds.) Food Allergy and Intolerance. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1987, 602-17 [review].
65. Lessof MH. Reactions to food additives. Clin Exp Allergy 1995;25 Suppl 1:27-8. [review].
66. Wraith DG, Merrett J, Roth A, et al. Recognition of food allergic patients and their allergens by the RAST technique and clinical investigation. Clin Allergy 1975;9:25-36.
67. Zuberbier T, Chantraine-Hess S, Hartmann K, et al. Pseudoallergen-free diet in the treatment of chronic urticaria. ACTA Dermatologica Venerol (Stockh) 1995;75:484-7.
68. Gibson A, Clancy R. Management of chronic idiopathic urticaria by the identification and exclusion of dietary factors. Clin Allergy 1980;10:699-704.
69. Meyer de Schmid JJ, Zeller J. Urticaria due to vitamin B 12 allergy verified by the lymphoblastic transformation test. Bull Soc Fr Dermatol Syphiligr 1969;76:670-1 [in French].
70. Rippere V. "A little something between meals": masked addiction not low blood blood-sugar. Lancet 1979;1:1349 [letter].
71. Horesh AJ. Allergy and infection VII. Support from the literature. J Asthma Res 1968;6:3-55 [review].
72. Pang LQ. The importance of allergy in otolaryngology. Clin Ecology 1982;1(1):53.
73. Nsouli TM, Nsouli SM, Linde RE, et al. Role of food allergy in serous otitis media. Ann Allergy 1994;73:215-9.
74. Horesh AJ. Allergy and recurrent urinary tract infections in childhood. II. Ann Allergy 1976;36:174-9.
75. Crandall, M. Allergic predisposition and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. J Advancement Med 1991;4:21-38 [review].
76. Kudelco N. Allergy in chronic monilial vaginitis. Ann Allergy 1971;29:266-7.
77. Paganelli R, Fagiolo U, Cancian M, et al. Intestinal permeability in irritable bowel syndrome. Effect of diet and sodium cromoglycate administration. Ann Allergy 1990;64:377-80.
78. Alun Jones V, McLaughlan P, Shorthouse M, et al. Food intolerance: A major factor in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet 1982;ii:1115-7.
79. Grant EC. Food allergies and migraine. Lancet 1979;i:966-9.
80. Monro J, Brostoff J, Carini C, Zilkha K. Food allergy in migraine. Lancet 1980;ii:1-4.
81. Egger J, Carter CM, Wilson J, et al. Is migraine food allergy? A double-blind controlled trial of oligoantigenic diet treatment. Lancet 1983;ii:865-9.
82. Hughs EC, Gott PS, Weinstein RC, Binggeli R. Migraine: a diagnostic test for etiology of food sensitivity by a nutritionally supported fast and confirmed by long-term report. Ann Allergy 1985;55:28-32.
83. Schaumburg HH, Byck R, Gerstl R, Mashman JH. Monosodium L-glutamate: its pharmacology and role in the Chinese restaurant syndrome. Science 1969;163:826-8.
84. Rosenblum I, Bradley JD, Coulston F. Single and double blind studies with oral monosodium glutamate in man. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1971;18:367-73.
85. Kenney RA, Tidball CS. Human susceptibility to oral monosodium L-glutamate. Am J Clin Nutr 1972;25:140-6.
86. Randolph TG. Masked food allergy as a factor in the development and persistence of obesity. J Lab Clin Med 1947;32:1547.
87. Douglas JM. Psoriasis and diet. West J Med 1980;133:450 [letter].
88. Bullock C. Chronic infectious sinusitis linked to allergies. Med Trib 1995;Dec 7:1.
89. Derebery MJ. Otoplaryngic allergy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1993;26:593-611 [review].
90. Host A. Mechanisms in adverse reactions to food. Allergy 1995;50(20 suppl):60-3 [review].
91. Bucca C, Rolla G, Oliva A, Farina JC. Effect of vitamin C on histamine bronchial responsiveness of patients with allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy 1990;65:311-4.
92. Bellioni P, Artuso A, Di Luzio Paparatti U, Salvinelli F. Histaminic provocation in allergy. The role of ascorbic acid. Riv Eur Sci Med Farmacol 1987;9:419-22 [in Italian].
93. Annesi-Maesano I, Oryszczyn MP, Neukirch F, Kauffmann F. Relationship of upper airway disease to tobacco smoking and allergic markers: a cohort study of men followed up for 5 years. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1997;114:193-201.
94. Ogle KA, Bullock JD. Children with allergic rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma treated with elimination diet: a five-year follow-up. Ann Allergy 1980;44:273-8.
95. Rowe AH, Rowe A Jr. Perennial nasal allergy due to food sensitization. J Asthma Res 1965;3:141-54.
96. Derlacki EL. Food sensitization as a cause of perennial nasal allergy. Ann Allergy 1955;13:682-9.
97. Kern RA, Stewart G. Allergy in duodenal ulcer: incidence and significance of food hypersensitivities as observed in 32 patients. J Allergy 1931;3:51.
98. Reimann HJ, Lewin J. Gastric mucosal reactions in patients with food allergy. Am J Gastroenterol 1988;83:1212-9.
99. Breneman JC. Allergic cystitis: the cause of nocturnal enuresis. General Practice 1959;20:85-98.
100. Zaleski A, Shokeir MK, Garrard JW. Enuresis: familial incidence and relationship to allergic disorders. Can Med Assoc J 1972;106:30-1.
101. Lucarelli S, Corrado G, Pelliccia A, et al. Cyclic vomiting syndrome and food allergy/intolerance in seven children: a possible association. Eur J Pediatr 2000;159:360-3.
102. Abu-Arafeh I, Russell G. Cyclical vomiting syndrome in children: a population-based study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1995;21:454-8.
103. Pelto L, Salminen PL, Lilius E-M, et al. Milk hypersensitivity-key to poorly defined gastrointestinal symptoms in adults. Allergy 1998;53:307-10.
104. Bombardieri S, Ferri C. Low antigen content diet in the management of immunomediated diseases. Isr J Med Sci 1992;28:117-20 [review].
105. Hill DJ, Hosking CS, Heine RG. Clinical spectrum of food allergy in children in Australia and South-East Asia: identification and targets for treatment. Ann Med 1999;31:272-81.
106. AAAAI Board of Directors. Position statement. Idiopathic environmental intolerances. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:36-40.
107. Arnetz BB. Model development and research vision for the future of multiple chemical sensitivity. Scand J Work Environ Health 1999;25:569-73 [review].
108. Graveling RA, Pilkington A, George JP, et al. A review of multiple chemical sensitivity. Occup Environ Med 1999;56:73-85 [review].
109. Brown AE. Developing a pesticide policy for individuals with multiple chemical sensitivity: considerations for institutions. Toxicol Ind Health 1999;15:432-7 [review].
110. Hartman DE. Missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses of environmental toxicant exposure. The psychiatry of toxic exposure and multiple chemical sensitivity. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1998;21:659-70, vii [review].
111. Kaufman W. Food-induced, allergic musculoskeletal syndromes. Ann Allerg 1953;Mar/Apr:179-84.
112. Gaboardi F, Perlett L, Mihansch MJ. Dermatitis herpetiformis and nephrotic syndrome. Clin Nephrol 1983;20:49.
113. Meadow SR, Sarsfield JK. Steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome and allergy: clinical studies. Arch Dis Childhood 1981;56:509-16.
114. Walker WA. Pathophysiology of intestinal uptake and absorption of antigens in food allergy. Ann Allergy 1987;59:7-16 [review].
115. Reinhardt MC. Macromolecular absorption of food antigens in health and disease. Ann Allergy 1984;53:597-601 [review].
116. Jalonen T. Identical intestinal permeability changes in children with different clinical manifestations of cow's milk allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991;88:737-42.
117. Andre F, Andre C, Feknous M, et al. Digestive permeability to different-sized molecules and to sodium cromoglycate in food allergy. Allergy Proc 1991;12:293-8.
118. Bahna SL. Management of food allergies. Ann Allergy 1984;53:678-82 [review].
119. Crook WG. Detecting your hidden food allergies. Jackson, TN: Professional Books, 1988.
120. Mandell M. Dr. Mandell's 5-Day Allergy Relief System. New York: Pocket Books, 1979.
121. Sampson HA. Food allergy. Part 2: diagnosis and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:981-9 [review].
122. Klein GL. Controlling allergies by controlling environment. A big help for your patients. Postgrad Med 1992;91:215-8, 221-4 [review].
123. Kirjavainen PV, Gibson GR. Healthy gut microflora and allergy: factors influencing development of the microbiota. Ann Med 1999;31:288-92 [review].
124. Pelto L, Isolauri E, Lilius EM, et al. Probiotic bacteria down-regulate the milk-induced inflammatory response in milk-hypersensitive subjects but have an immunostimulatory effect in healthy subjects. Clin Exp Allergy 1998;28:1474-9.
125. Salminen S, Isolauri E, Salminen E. Clinical uses of probiotics for stabilizing the gut mucosal barrier: successful strains and future challenges. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 1996;70:347-58 [review].
126. Majamaa H, Isolauri E. Probiotics: a novel approach in the management of food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;99:179-85.
127. Hunter JO. Food allergy-or enterometabolic disorder? Lancet 1991;24:495-6 [review].
128. Cavagni G, Piscopo E, Rigoli E, et al. Food allergy in children: an attempt to improve the effects of the elimination diet with an immunomodulating agent (thymomodulin). A double-blind clinical trial. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1989;11:131-42.
129. Genova R, Guerra A. Thymomodulin in management of food allergy in children. Int J Tissue React 1986;8:239-42.
130. Oelgoetz AW, Oelgoetz PA, Wittenkind J. The treatment of food allergy and indigestion of pancreatic origin with pancreatic enzymes. Am J Dig Dis Nutr 1935;2:422-6.
131. McCann M. Pancreatic enzyme supplement for treatment of multiple food allergies. Ann Allergy 1993;71:269 [abstract #17].
132. Kokkonen J, Simila S, Herva R. Impaired gastric function in children with cow's milk intolerance. Eur J Pediatr 1979;132:1-6.
133. Kokkonen J, Simila S, Herva R. Gastrointestinal findings in atopic children. Eur J Pediatr 1980;134:249-54.
134. Gonzalez H, Ahmed T. Suppression of gastric H2-receptor mediated function in patients with bronchial asthma and ragweed allergy. Chest 1986;89:491-6.
135. Johnston CS, Retrum KR, Srilakshmi JC. Antihistamine effects and complications of supplemental vitamin C. J Am Diet Assoc 1992;92:988-9.
136. Johnston S, Martin LJ, Cai X. Antihistamine effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and neutrophil chemotaxis. J Am Coll Nutr 1992;11:172-6.
137. Gabor M. Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of flavonoids. Prog Clin Biol Res 1986;213:471-80 [review].
138. Middleton E, Drzewieki G. Naturally occurring flavonoids and human basophil histamine release. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 1985;77:155-7.
139. Amella M, Bronner C, Briancon F, et al. Inhibition of mast cell histamine release by flavonoids and bioflavonoids. Planta Medica 1985;51:16-20.
140. Kasahara T, Amemiya M, Wu Y, Oguchi K. Involvement of central opioidergic and nonopioidergic neuroendocrine systems in the suppressive effect of acupuncture on delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. Int J Immunopharmacol 1993;15:501-8.
141. Kasahara T, Wu Y, Sakurai Y, Oguchi K. Suppressive effect of acupuncture on delayed type hypersensitivity to trinitrochlorobenzene and involvement of opiate receptors. Int J Immunopharmacol 1992;14:661-5.
142. Jian M. Influence of adrenergic antagonist and naloxone on the anti-allergic shock effect of electro-acupuncture in mice. Acupunct Electrother Res 1985;10:163-7.
143. Lau BH, Wong DS, Slater JM. Effect of acupuncture on allergic rhinitis: clinical and laboratory evaluations. Am J Chin Med 1975;3:263-70.
144. Lai X. Observation on the curative effect of acupuncture on type I allergic diseases. J Tradit Chin Med 1993;13:243-8.
145. Wolkenstein E, Horak F. [Protective effect of acupuncture on allergen provoked rhinitis]. Wien Med Wochenschr 1998;148:450-3 [in German].
146. Miller JB. A double-blind study of food extract injection therapy: a preliminary report. Ann Allerg 1977:185-91.
147. Hosen H. Provocative testing for food allergy diagnosis. J Asthma Res 1976:45-51.
148. Rea WJ, Podell RN, Williams ML, et al. Elimination of oral food challenge reaction by injection of food extracts. A double-blind evaluation. Arch Otolaryngol 1984;110:248-52.
149. King WP, Fadal RG, Ward WA, et al. Provocation-neutralization: a two-part study. Part II. Subcutaneous neutralization therapy: a multi-center study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1988;99:272-7.
150. Jewett DL, Fein G, Greenberg MH. A double-blind study of symptom provocation to determine food sensitivity. New Engl J Med 1990;323:429-33.
151. Morris DL. Use of sublingual antigen in diagnosis and treatment of food allergy. Ann Allergy 1969;27:289-94.
152. Scadding GK, Brostoff J. Low dose sublingual therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis due to house dust mite. Clin Allergy 1986;16:483-91.
153. Tari MG, Mancino M, Monti G. Efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in patients with rhinitis and asthma due to house dust mite. A double-blind study. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 1990;18:277-84.
154. Bousquet J, Scheinmann P, Guinnepain MT, et al. Sublingual-swallow immunotherapy (SLIT) in patients with asthma due to house-dust mites: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Allergy 1999;54:249-60.
155. Mungan D, Misirligil Z, Gurbuz L. Comparison of the efficacy of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy in mite-sensitive patients with rhinitis and asthma-a placebo controlled study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999;82:485-90.
156. Urbanek R, Gehl R. Efficacy of oral hyposensitization treatment in house dust mite allergy. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 1982;130:150-2 [in German].
157. Guez S, Vatrinet C, Fadel R, Andre C. House-dust-mite sublingual-swallow immunotherapy (SLIT) in perennial rhinitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Allergy 2000;55:369-75.
158. Mastrandrea F, Serio G, Minelli M, et al. Specific sublingual immunotherapy in atopic dermatitis. Results of a 6-year follow-up of 35 consecutive patients. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2000;28:54-62.
159. Passalacqua G, Albano M, Riccio A, et al. Clinical and immunologic effects of a rush sublingual immunotherapy to Parietaria species: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:964-8.
160. Pradalier A, Basset D, Claudel A, et al. Sublingual-swallow immunotherapy (SLIT) with a standardized five-grass-pollen extract (drops and sublingual tablets) versus placebo in seasonal rhinitis. Allergy 1999;54:819-28.
161. Sabbah A. Specific immunotherapy using allergens apropos of specific immunotherapy by the sublingual route. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 1998;30:221-8 [review; in French].
162. Patriarca C, Romano A, Venuti A, et al. Oral specific hyposensitization in the management of patients allergic to food. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 1984;12:275-81.
163. Patriarca G, Schiavino D, Nucera E, et al. Food allergy in children: results of a standardized protocol for oral desensitization. Hepatogastroenterology 1998;45:52-8.
164. Am Academy of Allergy. Position statements: controversial techniques. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1981:333-8.
165. Gleich G, Yunginger J. The radioallergosorbent test: its present place and likely future in the practice of allergy. Adv Asthma Allergy 1975(Spring):1.
166. Wraith DG. Recognition of food-allergic patients and their allergens by the RAST technique and clinical investigation. Clin Allergy 1979:25-36.
167. Lieberman P, et al. Controlled study of the cytotoxic food test. JAMA 1975:728-30.
168. Miller JB. A double-blind study of food extract injection therapy: a preliminary report. Ann Allerg 1977:185-91.
169. Hosen H. Provocative testing for food allergy diagnosis. J Asthma Res 1976:45-51.
170. Morris DL. Use of sublingual antigen in diagnosis and treatment of food allergy. Ann Allergy 1969;27:289-94.
171. Lehman CW. A double-blind study of sublingual provocative food testing: a study of its efficacy. Ann Allergy 1980;45:144-9.
172. Mandell M. Dr. Mandell's 5-Day Allergy Relief System. Pocket Books, New York, 1979.
173. Tsuei JJ, Lehman CW, Lam FMK, et al. A food allergy study using the EAV acupuncture technique. Am J Acupuncture 1984;12:105-16.
174. Krop J, Swierczek J, Wood A. Comparison of ecological testing with the Vega test method in identifying sensitivities to chemicals, foods and inhalents. Am J Acupuncture 1985;13:253-9.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.