Allergies, Volume 2, Issue 1 (March 2022) – 3 articles

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an important public health issue worldwide due to its increasing prevalence and impact on quality of life, school performance, and work productivity. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is used to treat AR and involves repeated injections of allergen extracts. SCIT is used for cases of severe AR with symptoms that are not adequately controlled by medication, when the side effects of medication limit treatment options, or where the aim is to cure rather than symptomatically treat. Although SCIT is effective, it is not necessarily curative. Furthermore, there is also a low but present risk of systemic allergic reactions, with systemic side effects occurring in less than 0–1% of treated patients. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has emerged as an effective and safe alternative to SCIT. SCIT and SLIT are the only immunotherapies currently available for AR. In addition to sublingual administration as an alternative to SCIT, other routes of antigen administration have been attempted with the goal of increasing safety while maintaining efficacy. This review discusses the efficacies of SCIT and SLIT, their mechanisms, the utility of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) as an alternative route of antigen administration, and the potential for immunotherapy using other routes of antigen administration. Full article

Plants such as the Toxicodendron species, consisting of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, largely contribute to allergic contact dermatitis with itch as a predominate symptom. Many individuals are affected by this skin condition, with approximately 50% to 70% of adults in North America demonstrating a degree of clinical sensitivity to this species of plants. In this review, we discuss the prevalence, pathophysiology, and clinical features of this contact dermatitis, as well as both treatment and prevention directed towards alleviation of itch. Updated research is emphasized throughout this review, although it is evident that this field is evolving, and more research is necessary to enhance treatment. Full article

We set up this preliminary study to begin to evaluate one main question: could strengthening the microbiome have potential benefits for the skin condition of patients suffering with adverse effects after stopping long-term topical steroid use? We aim to turn it into a much larger study if the results show the interventions might help. After commonly being prescribed for eczema, cessation of topical steroid use, especially after long periods of inappropriate use, can leave lasting adverse effects on the body and skin, known by some as topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). This preliminary study involved seven human participants suffering with skin problems associated with TSW who approached Dr. Anja Gijsberts-Veens of their own volition because they were interested in more natural recovery methods. Five completed the study in full. Progress in skin condition was tracked by self-assessed symptom severity questionnaires filled out at the beginning and end of the five-month study. The skin microbiome was addressed by using a 100% natural product shown in previous work to significantly increase skin microbiome biodiversity. Three participants implemented dietary changes and supplementation in response to guidance after fecal sample analysis, with the aim of improving gut microbiome health. The average improvement in skin symptoms for all participants was 40%, and average symptom improvement ranged from 14% for Patient 5 to 92% for Patient 1. On average, the participants saw an improvement in 85% of their symptoms and stagnation or regression in 11% and 4%, respectively. Our results suggest that the interventions used might improve the skin condition of TSW patients, but the small sample size and the lack of a control group mean that more definitive conclusions should be reserved for our follow-up work, which addresses these issues. We also aim to swab the skin of participants to assess the effect on the skin microbiome from skin and gut treatments, as well as including a more in-depth analysis of skin and gut microbiomes. Full article