Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2020
Class Instructor(s)
Jacob Adkison, MSN, DNP & Charity Keplinger, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C
Abstract
Food allergies can have a severe and drastic effect on a person’s lifestyle, while prevention of allergic disease can help to ensure others do not have to live with this burden. There are a variety of differing hypotheses that offer explanations for the early development of food allergies, particularly peanut allergies. Two of the foremost hypotheses are the Hygiene Hypothesis and the Dual-Allergen Hypothesis. The Hygiene Hypothesis claims that the diversity of a child’s microbiota creates a beneficial balance of microorganisms which can help prevent the development of allergic disease. Alternatively, the Dual-Allergen Hypothesis states that early environmental exposure to an allergen through the skin can create sensitivity within an infant, thus leading to a food allergy. There has not been previous research comparing these hypotheses or methods of food allergy prevention. This paper offers a new standardized practice for prophylaxis of peanut allergen sensitivity based on these two hypotheses.
Included in
Allergy and Immunology Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Commons, Disorders of Environmental Origin Commons, Immune System Diseases Commons, Medical Immunology Commons