Clinical characterization and IgE profiling of birch (Betula verrucosa)--allergic individuals suffering from allergic reactions to raw fruits and vegetables.

Background: Hypersensitivity to raw fruits and vegetables is often associated with respiratory allergy to birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen and is considered to be the most prevalent form of food allergy in adults sensitized to birch pollen.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the association of clinical allergy and IgE profiles in individuals with birch pollen allergy and hypersensitivity to raw fruits and vegetables.

Methods: A total of 59 adults with clinical and skin prick test confirmed birch pollen allergy were included in the study.

Clinical relevance is associated with allergen-specific wheal size in skin prick testing.

Background: Within a large prospective study, the Global Asthma and Allergy European Network (GA(2) LEN) has collected skin prick test (SPT) data throughout Europe to make recommendations for SPT in clinical settings.

Objective: To improve clinical interpretation of SPT results for inhalant allergens by providing quantitative decision points.

Methods: The GA(2) LEN SPT study with 3068 valid data sets was used to investigate the relationship between SPT results and patient-reported clinical relevance for each of the 18 inhalant allergens as well as SPT wheal size and physician-diagnosed allergy (rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy).

[Quality to allegy testing and interpretation of its results].

Medication and immunotherapy for allergy and guidance for the avoidance of allergens are determined on the basis of a skin-prick test. The testing must be performed in a standardized manner of good quality. Testing quality is not in accord with the present-day requirements everywhere.

Clustered sensitivity to fungi: anaphylactic reactions caused by ingestive allergy to yeasts.

Background: Respiratory allergy to environmental molds is relatively common, and fungal allergen-specific reactivity seems to cluster in certain persons. However, generalized reactions caused by ingested fungi have seldom been described.

Objective: To describe a mold-sensitized patient who developed multiple anaphylactic reactions after ingesting a yeast preparation widely used by the food industry as flavoring in, for example, powdered and ready-made sauces.

Levocetirizine for treatment of immediate and delayed mosquito bite reactions.

People frequently experience whealing and delayed papules from mosquito bites. Various antihistamines have previously been tried for the treatment of this condition. We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with levocetirizine 5 mg and matched placebo in 30 adults who were sensitive to mosquito bites.

Single doses of local betamethasone do not suppress allergic patch test reactions to nickel sulfate.

Topical corticosteroids are usually banned on test areas prior to patch testing. The previous literature on the effect of topical corticosteroids is conflicting. Patients allergic to nickel sulfate were patch tested on 4 sites with nickel on day (D) 0.

Comparison of cetirizine, ebastine and loratadine in the treatment of immediate mosquito-bite allergy.

Background: People frequently experience whealing and delayed papules from mosquito bites. Whealing is mediated by antisaliva immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies and histamine. Cetirizine, ebastine and loratadine have earlier shown effects on mosquito-bite reactions but no comparative studies exist.

Occupational allergic contact urticaria to yucca (Yucca aloifolia), weeping fig (Ficus benjamina), and spathe flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii).

Background: Occupational contact urticaria (CU) from plants is often reported, but it is less often attributed to decorative houseplants. We present an atopic gardener and caretaker of plants who developed CU when occupationally exposed to weeping fig, spathe flower, and yucca.

Methods: Sensitization was evaluated by skin prick tests (SPT) and analyses for IgE antibodies.

A baker's occupational allergy to flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella).

Background: Allergy to insects is common. However, few reports cover occupational sensitization to flour moth (Ephestia [syn. Anagasta] kuehniella).

Immediate contact allergy from hydrolyzed wheat in a cosmetic cream.

Immediate contact allergy to cosmetics seems to be rare, since only a few case reports on it have been published. We report on a case of IgE-mediated allergic contact urticaria caused by hydrolyzed wheat in a body cream.

Loratadine in the treatment of mosquito-bite-sensitive children.

Background: Children frequently experience harmful whealing and delayed papules from mosquito bites. Whealing is mediated by antisaliva IgE antibodies and histamine, but the effect of antihistamines on mosquito-bite symptoms has not been evaluated in children.

Methods: The effect of loratadine (0.

Treatment of mosquito bites with ebastine: a field trial.

Wealing and pruritic, long-lasting papules are a common nuisance from mosquito bites. Antihistamines can be expected to decrease wealing, but their effect on the delayed bite symptoms needs to be elucidated. We studied the effect of ebastine in 28 mosquito-bite sensitive adult subjects exposed to Aedes communis bites in the field.

Effect of ebastine on mosquito bites.

Mosquito bites usually cause wealing and delayed bite papules. Cetirizine decreases wealing, bite papules and pruritus but the effect of other antihistamines on mosquito bites is unknown. We studied the effect of ebastine in 30 mosquito bite-sensitive adult subjects.