Nowadays, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are increasingly present in public places such as shopping malls, airports and gymsto save lives in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. However, another device that could save lives in the event of a medical emergency, adrenaline auto-injectoris still not common in these same places. Despite its crucial importance in anaphylaxis situations (severe allergic reaction), auto-injectors are not as accessible and universally available as defibrillators. Why does this happen?
Anaphylaxis is a severe and rapid allergic reaction that affects the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, causing difficulty breathing, throat inflammation, shock and, in some cases, death. Among its most common triggers are foods such as peanuts, seafood, dairy, medications or insect bites. To treat it immediately, the administration of adrenaline (epinephrine) is necessary, which helps counteract the effects of the allergic reaction.
The adrenaline auto-injector, like the famous Epipenis a device designed to administer a rapid dose of this medication in emergency situations. The device is easy to use, even by untrained individuals, making it a potentially lifesaving tool in locations where people may be exposed to allergens.
The researcher María Gasset, from the Blas Cabrera Institute of Chemistry-Physicscenter dependent on Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), called for the presence of adrenaline auto-injectors in public spaces, such as places of transit or schools, in the same way as defibrillators, to avoid admissions for anaphylaxis induced by food allergies.
This is what Gasset indicated this Wednesday during the IVth Scientific Training Conference for Journalists. The latest science: Food allergies, research advances and future prospectscarried out by the PharmaMar Foundation in collaboration with the National Association of Health Informants (ANIS).
Chemistry in turn emphasized that a “advance» in food labeling which reduces the “fear” of travel that many of them have, caused by the insecurity of not knowing if they will be able to eat at their destination. In this regard, he explained that the standard by which allergens must be included on the label and the symbols with which they must be assigned are different in each country. “This means that if we we are going from Madrid to Japan “We can find totally different labeling,” he said.
Another challenge that remains is the “education and training” of the allergic person’s environment, which is particularly important in the case of allergic minors, who are more dependent on their caregivers. This aroundas detailed by Gasset, includes the family, the school and the social sphere as a whole. “If you have an allergic child, that allergic child has the right to go to a restaurant, to a party, to school, to travel, and you have to ensure their safety,” he detailed.
All this aims to prevent risks, taking into account the “outstanding» increase in cases of food allergies over the last 20 years. On this subject, Gasset stressed that “determining how, when and where (this increase takes place) is difficult” due to the different forms of measurement. However, he stressed that, taking into account Admissions to intensive care due to anaphylaxisthe estimated figure is between five and eight percent increase.
Concretely, he presented various studies carried out in various countries which show that, for example, in Australia, income from Anaphylaxis in children increased fivefold between 1994 and 2004. In Hong Kong, another study indicates a doubling of income between 2008 and 2018. Meanwhile, in Spain, a study published in 2015 reveals that income increased by up to five percent in the age group of children under ‘one year.
For María Gasset, the possible causes of this increase in cases of food allergies focus on changes in diet, alterations in the intestinal microbiota and the incorporation of better hygiene habits.
In this sense, he described that “as a species, we were designed with a defense army to minimize the impact of wounds and make them heal.” However, as you pointed out, the use of antibiotics, wound healing agents and other similar products has reduced the capacity of this system. army. Likewise, changes have occurred in metabolism due to the shift from a nomadic to a sedentary life. “So we changed our defense mechanism, we left it there, in to wait for“, he stressed.
Likewise, this transformation of lifestyles has introduced new ultra-processed foods and soft drinks into the diet which have modified the microbiota. Other changes also occurred, such as a increased hygiene, which implies greater exposure to gels, detergents, etc., which at the same time implies contact with new molecules.
Allergy treatments
The researcher explained that allergies are a type of adverse reaction to food; these are rapid immunological reactions mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE). They may be episodic, as may be the case allergy to milk or eggs, or persistentas happens in the case of fish or peanuts. If a mild or moderate reaction occurs, your symptoms may include hives, abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. In severe cases, it causes anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.
As he pointed out, there are currently nine foods that cause 90% of allergies: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, sesame. In the case of Spain, the majority of allergies are attributed to peaches – as secondary to an allergy to pollen -, to fish and shellfish from coastal areas – as secondary to an allergy to dust mites -, as well as to milk and eggs.
