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Food Packaging Containing Latex May Trigger An Allergic Reaction
It is important to label the Food packaging that contains latex, which will certainly prevent the allergic to avoid contact. A novel study conducted in the UK showed that nearly a third of food packaging was containing unhealthy levels of latex, and in a certain chocolate biscuit, the quantity of latex was so high to have triggered an allergic reaction.
A group of experts from the UK Latex Allergy Support Group (LASG) Advisory Panel said that these results were significant. 'For a few people, natural rubber latex is a very potent allergen and for these individuals, there is no safe level of exposure,' says LASG representative Graham Lowe. 'We would welcome an approach to the EU to consider this evidence and the issue of labelling,' he said. Lowe added that latex transfer to food could account for some currently inexplicable reactions.There is no agreement on a safe level of latex, but it has been reported that a billionth of a gram (1ng/ml) can be enough to cause a reaction. Currently manufacturers are not required to label food packaging as containing latex. Scientists at Leatherhead Food International measured the presence of four major latex allergens in 21 types of food packaging for confectionary, fruit and vegetable produce, meat, pastry and dairy products. A third of the materials tested gave positive results for the presence of latex and in some cases this was transferred onto the food (Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture DOI 10/1002/jsfa.2580).
The highest levels of latex allergens were found in a chocolate biscuit containing nearly 20ng/ml. The wrapper contained 85ng/ml of latex. The highest levels in packaging were detected in ice cream wrappers, with over 370ng/ml found in one sample. The ice cream itself contained around 14ng/ml. One company admitted spraying whole wrappers with latex adhesive, so that they could be sealed with minimum wastage.
A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency, which funded this study, said food-labelling guidelines were designed to avoid restriction of choice due to excess use of warning labels. 'Advisory labeling should only be used when, following a thorough risk assessment, there is a real risk of allergic reactions,' they said. The Leatherhead study is the first attempt to quantify the latex allergens present in food contact materials and also in foods.
Between 1-6% of the British population suffer from latex allergies. Latex is used in many food packaging materials, including rubber bands, meat netting, stickers found on some fruit and vegetables and the adhesive used for cold sealing of confectionary.
Source : Eureka Alert
Allergy Tests And Asthma
Allergy tests are a way to get to the bottom of what's causing your asthma symptoms. They help your doctor find out if allergies trigger your asthma.
These tests won't identify asthma triggers such as exercise, stress, or illnesses like a cold.
Allergy tests alone are not enough to make an asthma diagnosis. Your doctor will look at your history of allergic reactions, too.
Several types of allergy tests help with asthma, including skin tests and blood tests. The results may show what's triggering your asthma and allergy symptoms, and that can help with your treatment.
Your doctor may recommend skin tests if they think a specific allergen is causing your asthma symptoms. Allergy skin tests are quick, fairly reliable, and cost-effective. Your doctor will have test results usually within an hour of the skin test.
If you have poorly controlled asthma, trouble breathing, or a high risk of anaphylactic reactions, your doctor may wait to do skin tests.
Ask your doctor if you need to do anything before the test. For example, you should stop taking antihistamines before you get an allergy test. Your doctor may have other specific instructions, too.
In a skin test, you get a dose of a possible allergen. The test tracks your body response -- specifically, if your body makes a molecule called immunoglobulin E (IgE). A high level of IgE can mean you have an allergy.
Skin prick test: The skin prick test is the most common allergy skin test. First, you get a series of tiny drops of allergens on your skin, usually on your back. Then you get a quick needle prick in the skin underneath each drop. If you're allergic, you'll get a dime-sized hive that's red and itchy at the needle prick site. You may need a follow-up test to check the results.
Intradermal test: If your skin prick test was negative, your doctor may try an intradermal test. In this test, your doctor injects the allergen into your skin. Intradermal allergy tests are often used for environmental allergies and drug allergies. Doctors usually don't use this type of allergy test with food or latex allergies.
Intradermal tests can be more accurate, but sometimes they may be falsely positive. That means they show that you have an allergy when you actually don't. Intradermal tests are also more likely to cause an allergic reaction that affects your whole body.
Patch test: Your doctor applies the allergen to a patch. You'll leave the patch on your skin for 48 hours. If your skin turns red, gets irritated, and itches, the chances are great that you have an allergy.
Your doctor may also recommend getting an allergy blood test or an immunoassay test. They include:
ELISA or EIA. The ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test measures the amount of allergen-specific antibodies in your blood.
RAST. The RAST (radioallergosorbent test) also looks for specific allergen-related antibodies in order to identify your allergy triggers. Since the introduction of the ELISA test, RAST testing has not typically been used.
What Is An Allergic Reaction?
Some people sneeze like crazy. Others get itchy hives or watery eyes. But whatever the reaction, it boils down to one thing: allergies.
If you have allergies, you have lots of company. As many as 30% of U.S. Adults and 40% of children are in the same boat as you.
While your problem may seem to start in the nose or the eyes, allergies actually come from an immune system running wild.
Learning why these reactions happen can help you keep things under control and feel better.
Your immune system has an important job: to defend your body from invaders such as bacteria and viruses that mean you harm.
But when it makes war on substances it shouldn't, that's an allergy.
Peanuts, eggs, or pollen, for example, can trigger reactions. They are called allergens.
During a reaction, your immune system releases antibodies. These are proteins that deliver a message to cells: Stop that substance! The cells then send out histamine, which causes blood vessels to expand, and other chemicals, and these trigger the allergy symptoms.
These antibodies are singled-minded. Each one targets only one type of allergen. That explains why someone might be allergic to peanuts but not to eggs.
You can come into contact with allergens in many ways: through the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, or stomach. This can cause your sinuses to clog up, inflame your skin, make it harder to breathe, or cause stomach problems.
Why do some people have such bad allergies and others don't? Experts don't have all the answers, but they say family history is important.
Some common allergens include:
Your allergy attacks might range from mild and annoying to more severe and even life-threatening. It all depends on the way your body reacts and how much of the allergen got into your system.
If your allergy is severe, you may have a serious reaction called anaphylaxis. Some cases could be life-threatening and need urgent attention.
Here are some common types of allergies:
Hay fever: Also known as allergic rhinitis, it can cause:
Food allergies: You may feel tingling in your mouth. Your tongue, lips, throat, or face might swell up. Or you could get hives. In the worst cases, you might have anaphylaxis and will need medical help right away.
Eczema: Also known as atopic dermatitis, it is a skin condition. Most types of eczema are not allergies. But the disease can flare up when you're around things that cause an allergic reaction. Your body's immune system overreacts to substances, called allergens, that are usually not harmful. You might get hives, itching, swelling, sneezing, and a runny nose. You might have it if you have itching, redness, and peeling or flaking.
Medications: If you're allergic to a certain drug, you may get a rash, facial swelling, or hives. You could find yourself wheezing. In severe cases, you may develop anaphylaxis.
Stings: If you're allergic to bees or other insects you may get:
As with some other allergies, such as food and medication, a severe reaction to a sting can lead to anaphylaxis.
Most people with allergies get only mild to moderate symptoms, but bad cases can lead to anaphylaxis.
It's a serious situation and can put your body into shock. Food, medications, insect bites, or latex are the most likely causes.
A second anaphylactic episode can happen up to 12 hours after the first one.
The symptoms of anaphylaxis can come on suddenly.
They can quickly go from a mild rash or runny nose to serious problems such as a hard time breathing, tightness in the throat, hives or swelling, nausea or vomiting, and fainting or dizziness. Some people can get a rapid pulse or their heart will stop beating.
If you've had previous attacks or know you are at risk for anaphylaxis, your doctor might prescribe medicine that you can give yourself, or that someone else can give you. Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, EpiPen, Symjepi, or a generic version of an epinephrine auto-injector are devices loaded with this medicine.
Carry this with you always and be aware of your allergy triggers.
Call 911 and go straight to an emergency room at the first sign of trouble, even if you have used the injection device. Go even if you are starting to feel better, in case you have a delayed reaction.
You can find treatment options for mild to moderate allergic reactions. Antihistamines and decongestants can help treat certain symptoms, as can nasal sprays.
If you have an allergic-type asthma, your doctor might also prescribe an inhaler to ease attacks. Or they may inject a special antibody to manage symptoms.
If you don't get enough relief by avoiding your allergens and using medications, your doctor may want to give you allergy shots. This type of treatment is called immunotherapy, and it can be effective for hay fever and allergic asthma.
Another type of immunotherapy involves tablets that dissolve under your tongue.
For your sinuses, an over-the-counter medication might ease your symptoms.
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