These Are the 7 Food Allergies You May Not Know About
Allergies To Dental Materials
Suspected allergies in dentistry should be confirmed by an allergy test conducted by a dermatologist or allergist, due to the potential for a life threatening allergic reaction or the development of a long-term occupational disability. When an allergy test to a certain dental material is found to be positive, the dental team should take appropriate precautions to eliminate the use of the offending allergen by using alternative materials, for example, latex-free gloves or nickel-free alloys.
Research demonstrates that there are numerous potential allergens in everyday dental practice. However, currently there is not enough evidence to indicate that use of popular dental materials should be discontinued. Nevertheless, the dental team should remain vigilant and acutely aware of the potential of the many available dental materials and products to cause allergic hypersensitivity within the mild to severe range, both intra-orally and at unrelated parts of the body. Materials that warrant particular awareness include latex, nickel, methacrylate, eugenol and polyether impression materials.
References available from the author on wiltshir@cc.Umanitoba.Ca.
Box 1: Test yourself1. What proportion of orthodontic patients with pierced ears is allergic to nickel?
A. 60% B. 20% C. 30%
2. When did latex allergy become more common?
A. 21st century B. 1980s C. 1940s
3. A Type IV reaction is:
A. Delayed B. Immediate C. Fatal
ANSWERS: 1C, 2B, 3A.
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
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Hypersensitivity Type
Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an atypical immune response called a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction. This reaction happens due to immune complexes in the body. It can be treated by suppressing immune activity.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1.3 million people in the United States. The effects of RA lead to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Sometimes RA can affect other parts of the body as well.
RA is associated with an inappropriate immune response to a substance called an antigen in your body. The process is called a hypersensitivity reaction.
There are four different types of hypersensitivity reactions. We discuss the RA hypersensitivity type, what causes it, and how this type of reaction is diagnosed and treated.
Learn more about RA.
A hypersensitivity reaction is an inappropriate or abnormal response to an antigen. These reactions are the mechanism behind certain health conditions involving the immune system, such as autoimmune diseases and allergies.
Experts have divided hypersensitivity reactions into four different types. These are generally based on the parts of the immune system involved in the reaction.
RA is a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction, which is caused by complexes formed by antigens and immune proteins called antibodies.
The symptoms of a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction can vary. In this case, the RA hypersensitivity reaction leads to the symptoms that we commonly associate with RA, such as:
Some people with RA may also develop firm lumps under the skin near the affected joints called nodules.
RA-related inflammation can also affect other areas of the body, including the eyes, lungs, and heart.
A type 3 hypersensitivity reaction happens due to immune complexes formed by antibodies and antigens. Antibodies are a type of protein made by the immune system. They're specific for certain types of antigens.
When antibodies bind to their antigen, they form an antibody-antigen, or immune, complex. Immune complexes can accumulate in certain tissues like the joints, skin, or blood vessels.
RA is associated with autoantibodies, specifically rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA). These bind to antigens on healthy tissue, such as the tissues of the joints, and form immune complexes.
The presence of immune complexes can activate a type of immune response called complement. Complement activation has been associated with the initiation and progression of RA.
When the complement system is activated, it basically calls other types of immune cells into the affected area. The arrival of these cells can lead to increases in inflammation and tissue damage.
If you have RA symptoms, a healthcare professional will first request your medical history. They'll ask about your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, and whether you have a family history of autoimmune diseases like RA.
They'll also perform a physical exam. During this time, they'll evaluate the affected joints, checking for pain, stiffness, and warmth.
If a healthcare professional suspects RA based on your medical history and physical exam, they'll order additional tests to help make a diagnosis.
There isn't a single test that can diagnose an RA hypersensitivity reaction. Some of the tests that may be used include:
The treatment for a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction involves managing the underlying disease. This typically involves dampening down the immune response to lower inflammation and prevent additional tissue damage.
Medications can be used to achieve this goal. The medications prescribed for RA can depend on the severity of your RA.
There's no cure for the type 3 hypersensitivity reaction that leads to RA. Instead, its effects are managed through medications.
It's important that RA is diagnosed and treated early. That's because tissue damage can worsen over time if RA is not managed. This can lead to significant joint deformities and disability.
One goal of RA treatment is putting the disease in remission. You're in remission when you have no visible symptoms of RA.
One 2022 study found that 76% of participants who had remission 1 year after diagnosis continued to retain that remission over a 7-year follow-up period. Low RA disease activity at diagnosis and the use of traditional or biologic DMARDs were associated with remission.
What type of hypersensitivity is rheumatoid factor?RF is an autoantibody that's involved in forming the immune complexes associated with the type 3 hypersensitivity reaction seen in RA.
What are other examples of type 3 hypersensitivity reactions?A few examples of other conditions associated with a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), serum sickness, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (farmer's lung).
Is rheumatoid arthritis a type 4 hypersensitivity reaction?No. RA hypersensitivity is a type 3 reaction. Type 4 hypersensitivity reactions are cell-mediated, meaning they do not involve antibodies. Examples of type 4 reactions are allergic contact dermatitis and delayed reaction to drugs.
RA is associated with a type 3 hypersensitivity reaction. These types of reactions are caused by immune complexes that accumulate in certain areas of the body, such as the joints in RA.
There's no specific test for type 3 hypersensitivity reactions. Instead, a healthcare professional will use your medical history and the results of a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests to make a diagnosis.
The RA hypersensitivity reaction can be treated by lowering immune activity. The outlook for a person with RA is better with early diagnosis and treatment. It's important to see your doctor if you have symptoms like fatigue and joints that are often sore, stiff, and swollen.
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