Were you lot aware of this allergen risk?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2258044
Abstract Pub Med
Allergic reactions from handling psyllium have been reported since 1970. Health professionals and workers in laxative-manufacturing plants are at greatest risk. Sensitized people are at risk of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Two illustrative cases are presented. The first is A 39-year-old female dialysis nurse with a 3-year history of nasal and eye symptoms from exposure to psyllium. She obtained an over-the-counter psyllium bulk laxative, took it for constipation and developed flushing, tachycardia, urticaria, angioedema, laryngeal edema, and lightheadedness. An epicutaneous skin test and radioallergosorbent test for psyllium were both strongly positive. The second is a 42-year-old female nurse with a history of asthma who had allergic nasal and eye symptoms while dispensing psyllium. She received a prescription for crystallized psyllium, took it by mouth, and developed immediate flushing, tachycardia, urticaria, and angioedema. With subsequent ingestion of psyllium she had, in addition, severe wheezing, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. A psyllium epicutaneous skin test was strongly positive. These patient reports illustrate the risk of severe allergic reactions in sensitized people. Ingestion by sensitized people, such as from a routine postoperative and postpartum order, is potentially dangerous.
Psyllium laxative-induced anaphylaxis, asthma, and rhinitis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8792925
A 69-year-old nurse was evaluated for a recent episode of anaphylaxis that had occurred after psyllium ingestion. She had experienced recurrent rhinitis and asthma related to psyllium exposure for the past 15 years. The diagnosis of psyllium hypersensitivity was established by a positive psyllium puncture skin test, an elevated psyllium-specific IgE level in serum, and a confirmatory soluble-antigen competitive inhibition test. The patient was symptomatic for several years, and this diagnosis was not considered until she suffered potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Psyllium hypersensitivity may be a more common phenomenon than is currently appreciated by physicians and other health-care providers.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14700444
Psyllium-associated anaphylaxis and death: a case report and review of the literature.
Khalili B1, Bardana EJ Jr, Yunginger JW.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Psyllium use has increased significantly in the United States in part due to its lipid-lowering property. The increased prevalence of consumption has led to its recognition as an emerging food allergen.
OBJECTIVES:
To report the case of a 42-year-old woman who experienced fatal anaphylaxis after ingesting a psyllium-based product and to review the literature.
METHODS:
The MEDLINE database was searched for articles from 1966 to 2002 using the keywords psyllium or ispaghula and each of the following: allergy, hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, and asthma. Both English and non-English articles were included.
RESULTS:
Psyllium hypersensitivity has been well described in health care workers and pharmaceutical plant employees. Clinical manifestations of allergy range from upper respiratory tract symptoms on inhalation to anaphylaxis on ingestion. The prevalence of sensitization varies between these 2 groups. The allergenic epitope is not known.
CONCLUSIONS:
We present a case of psyllium hypersensitivity that resulted in death. There is a clear association between atopy and psyllium allergy. The case underscores the fact that even nonprescription “natural” products can be harmful to people with allergies.