Higher Risk for Sensitization to Commonly Consumed Herbs among Adults and Youngsters Suffering from Birch, Mugwort or Grass Pollinosis

Waldemar Wagner (), Krzysztof Buczyłko, Aneta Wagner, Angelika Szwed-Kowalska and Anna Stasiak
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Waldemar Wagner: Department of Hormone Biochemistry, Medical University of Łódź, 7/9 Żeligowskiego Str., 90-752 Łódź, Poland
Krzysztof Buczyłko: Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Applied Sciences in Włocławek, 87-800 Włocławek, Poland
Aneta Wagner: Allergology and Respiratory Rehabilitation Department, Medical University of Łódź, 90-752 Łódź, Poland
Angelika Szwed-Kowalska: NZOZ Allergology Center, 90-553 Łódź, Poland
Anna Stasiak: Department of Hormone Biochemistry, Medical University of Łódź, 7/9 Żeligowskiego Str., 90-752 Łódź, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Background: According to recent findings, mugwort and birch pollen-allergic patients represent a high-risk group for developing adverse allergic reactions to herbal spices due to cross-reacting allergens found in both pollen and raw herbs. Such associations are known as a pollen-plant food allergy syndrome. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent of sensitization to commonly consumed herb species representing Lamiaceae, Apiaceae and Brassicaceae families in Polish patients with suspected birch, mugwort or grass pollen allergy. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from 180 patients, adults and children with suspected allergy to aeroallergens. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed with standard birch, mugwort, grass mixture or dust mite extracts. Prick by prick tests were performed with fresh extracts of popular herbs: basil, oregano, lemon balm, mint, salvia, rosemary, thyme, anise, caraway and mustard. Results: Twenty-nine percent of patients were characterized by concomitant positive skin prick reactions to both herbs and pollens extracts. The concomitant pollinosis significantly increased the risk of SPT reaction to all tested herbs in adults (odds ratio, OR = 2.15–7.35) and children (OR = 5.3–28). The extent of SPT responses to herbs from Lamiaceae + Apiaceae were strongly correlated with SPT responses to pollens in the pediatric group (r = 0.685/ p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that youngsters suffering from pollinosis are at high risk of developing allergic reactions to herbs and highlights the importance of including native skin prick tests with herbs in the diagnostic work-up for suspected food allergy.

Keywords: sensitization to herbs; pollinosis; cross-reactivity; skin prick test; children (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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