Urticaria and Pseudo Allergens
Chronic spontaneous urticaria is a skin disorder that is difficult to manage and can last for years.
Eliminating pseudoallergens from the diet can reduce the severity of the urticaria and so improve quality of life.
Magerl et al define 'pseudoallergens' as substances that intolerance reactions that are similar to true allergic reactions. These substances include food additives, vasoactive substances such as histamine, and some natural substances in fruits, vegetables and spices (such as Salicylate).
This study involved individuals who had moderate or severe chronic spontaneous urticaria that had not responded adequately to treatment in primary care. For 3 weeks, 140 people followed a pseudoallergen-free diet.
Twenty (14%) were classed as strong responders, 19 (14%) as partial responders, and 9 (6%) made a substantial reduction in their medication without experiencing worse symptoms or quality of life.
The authors concluded that a pseudoallergen-free diet is beneficial for one in three patients and is a safe, healthy and cost-free form of intervention.
Magerl M, Pisarevskaja D, Scheufele R, Zuberbier T, Maurer M.
Effects of a pseudoallergen-free diet on chronic spontaneous urticaria: a prospective trial.
Allergy. 2009 Oct 1.