Top in allergy/asthma: Food allergy myths; vaccine hesitancy vs. anti-vaccination

There are many misconceptions and myths surrounding food allergies, including those that conflate allergy with intolerance and misunderstand the role of IgE, an expert said.

“Accurate information can help create a safer environment and foster empathy and support for those managing food allergies,” Douglas H. Jones, MD, cofounder of Global Food Therapy, cofounder and president of Food Allergy Support Team and director of Rocky Mountain Allergy at Tanner Clinic, wrote in an editorial.

Additionally, correct diagnosis is critical for patients, as food allergy diagnosis is a life-altering event for both the patient and their family.

“It is important to make an accurate diagnosis so that proper education and preparation can be given along with an emergency plan and medications,” Jones wrote.

It was the top story in allergy/asthma last week.

Another top story was about a presentation at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting on how physicians can engage with patients who are vaccine hesitant.

Vaccine hesitancy, which is defined by WHO as a motivational state of being conflicted or opposed to getting vaccinated, is different from anti-vaccination. While patients with vaccine hesitancy are reluctant to receive a recommended vaccine, anti-vaxxers are opposed to the concept of vaccination in general and promote anti-vaccine messaging, Paul V. Williams, MD, a clinical professor of pediatrics in the division of allergy at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said during his presentation.

“Vaccine hesitancy is not equivalent to being anti-vaxx, and by equating the two, you can actually lead to more vaccine hesitancy,” Williams said.

If a patient is vaccine hesitant, it is important that physicians make a strong recommendation for vaccination and build trust by confidently providing correct information on vaccines, he added.

Read these and more top stories in allergy/asthma below:

Debunking 11 food allergy myths

Food allergies affect millions of people around the world, and yet there are still many misconceptions and myths surrounding them. Read more.

Physicians encouraged to engage with vaccine-hesitant patients

Physicians can engage with patients who have reservations about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a presentation at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more.

Artificial intelligence counts, classifies pollen grains

An artificial intelligence model counted and classified grains of pollen almost as accurately as a human being, data show. Read more.

Hereditary angioedema attacks cease after tranexamic acid treatment

A patient with hereditary angioedema and a plasminogen gene mutation did not have any attacks with tranexamic acid, according to a recent study. Read more.

Q&A: Improved chronic rhinitis symptoms follow nerve treatment for 2 years

Patients with chronic rhinitis who had temperature-controlled radiofrequency neurolysis of their posterior nasal nerve experienced improved symptoms and quality of life, according to a study of 129 patients published in The Laryngoscope. Read more.