Allergy: facts and myths

A number of common myths and misconceptions are associated with the concept of allergy. Many of them, due to the huge amount of false information disseminated by the media and posted on the Internet, can look shocking. At the same time, some of them may even pose a health hazard.

However, where do these misconceptions come from? According to a presentation presented at the annual scientific conference of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology by allergist David Stukus, they are partly rooted in earlier beliefs of specialists and their perception by the public.

According to him, "many of the earlier beliefs were refuted as medical science developed. Unfortunately, some of these beliefs can still be found on the Internet, where a surprisingly large number of users (72%) turn for information related to health and treatment."

In his speech, Dr. Stackas mentioned the most common myths about allergies and explained their inconsistency with reality.

• "I'm allergic to artificial colors."
  There is no scientifically substantiated evidence of the relationship between exposure to artificial dyes and allergies. There is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between artificial dyes and behavioral abnormalities in children, as well as their ability to cause chronic urticaria and asthma.
• "I can't get vaccinated because I'm allergic to egg white."
  Chicken embryos are used to grow viruses included in vaccines against influenza, yellow fever and rabies. However, modern vaccines are safe and can prevent serious diseases.
• "A test designed for home use will reveal all the products to which I am allergic."
  Such tests can detect sensitization, and being sensitized to a particular allergen, for example, milk protein, does not mean having an allergy. Such screening tests cannot be trusted, they often lead to incorrect interpretation of the results, diagnostic errors and unnecessary dietary restrictions.
• "Children under 12 months should not be given highly allergenic products."
  There is no evidence in favor of the fact that most children older than 6 months should avoid eating highly allergenic foods. The results of recent studies indicate that the early introduction of highly allergenic foods can contribute to the development of tolerance.
• "I'm allergic to cats and dogs, but I can get a hypoallergenic breed pet."
  Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a completely non-allergenic cat or dog. Allergens are secreted by salivary, fatty and perianal glands. People are not allergic to animal hair. The only truth is that some animal breeds cause allergy sufferers more problems than others.
• "I'm allergic to seafood, so I can't do research using iodine-containing contrast agents."
  Radiologists and cardiologists often use iodine-containing contrast agents during computed tomography and other procedures to improve image quality. Since seafood contains a lot of iodine, many doctors have drawn a parallel between a reaction to a contrast agent and an allergy to seafood. However, this assumption is incorrect, and an allergy to seafood has nothing to do with a reaction to a contrast agent. In fact, iodine cannot be an allergen, since it is part of the human body.
• "I can't eat bread because I'm allergic to gluten."
  You may have gluten intolerance, but a true allergy to it is extremely rare. Most allergenic reactions to such products develop due to other wheat proteins. A large number of people independently diagnose themselves with gluten allergies and avoid using it without any medical indications.

Given the huge amount of information distributed on the Internet, including through social networks, it is extremely difficult for a person to separate information that can be trusted from false data. Therefore, Dr. Stackas warns: if you think that you may have an allergy, you should contact a licensed allergist for proper examination, diagnosis and treatment. Incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate treatment can be dangerous to health.

Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:
Defining Allergy Fact from Fiction.

13.11.2013