Pathogenic Mechanism Of Hdm
Due to the rising prevalence of different allergic conditions in recent decades, there has been a massive surge in research endeavours towards understanding their underlying pathogenic mechanisms and clinical implications . Research studies have clearly shown that allergic manifestations increase significantly in individuals when there is a disruption in the T helper balance with polarization toward a Th2 phenotype, and that the dynamics of the gut microbiota has a role in maintaining this immune response balance . Multiple immunological research studies have stated that a healthy gut microbiota helps in building and maintaining a well-balanced immune system in humans. Moreover, the World Health Organization has emphasized on the role of probiotic agents in enriching intestinal microflora.
How Probiotics And Allergies Interact
Probiotics are live bacteria, types of yeast, and microorganism that restore gut flora. The body is full of bacteria that help it function properly. Multiple types of bacteria can be categorized as probiotics but in general, there are two kinds used to replenish gut flora, support health, and potentially be the best probiotics for allergies:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
These particular strains of “good” bacteria are often found in dairy as “live and active cultures used to make yogurt, kefir, and other dairy products. When ingested probiotics are beneficial for our health:
- Replenish flora when antibiotics are applied
- Support digestive health
- May help with symptoms of depression
- May help alleviate symptoms of
- Prevent or treat dermatitis or eczema
- Keep the gut microbiome stable and healthy
- Improve immune response
The ways in which probiotics and allergies interact with each other are still being studied, but so far the research points to positive results and we may be on the verge of effectively using of probiotics for allergies, either to treat or prevent moderate to mild seasonal symptoms.
Probiotics And Allergy Shots
Another study from 2017, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that the probiotic combination of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, sold as Kyo-Dophilus in stores, helped reduce allergy-related nose symptoms in allergy sufferers at the height of spring allergy season. The researchers, from the University of Florida, believe those probiotic strains work by boosting the bodys percentage of regulatory T-cells, which could, in turn, raise tolerance to hay fever symptoms.
Probiotics are classified as a supplement and further research is needed before doctors are able to recommend when and how to take probiotics for allergy relief, according to Dr. Turner.
Still, probiotics may be an option for those who arent happy with allergy shotscurrently the best allergy treatment availableas future research is still underway, he says.
There is some evidence that taking probiotics while getting allergy shots may make the allergy shots more effective, says Dr. Nickels. While the current numbers of patients studied are small, there is excitement in the field that probiotics could be a helpful addition to treating allergic rhinitis.
What Were The Findings
The overall quality of life score reported by the probiotic group significantly improved during the trial compared to the placebo group. Unexpectedly, quality of life scores were at their worst at the start of the trial, rather than at the predicted peak of the pollen season. The probiotic group reported decreased symptom scores for activity, nasal symptoms, and other symptoms. Overall, the reductions in global and symptom-specific scores were about 0.5 points on a 7-point scale. None of these symptom scores significantly decreased in the placebo group. The practical problem scores decreased in both groups, but more so in the probiotic group.
Based on the answers from the weekly gastrointestinal symptom questionnaires, there was a significant effect of the probiotic on constipation during the study. After starting out similarly in both groups at the beginning of the trial, constipation symptom scores were reduced in the probiotic group in weeks 3, 4, 6, and 7, but not at week 8.
There was no difference in the levels of IgE antibodies in the blood samples between the probiotic group and the placebo group. However, the IgE levels in the blood increased over the six weeks of the trial in both groups. Regulatory T cells, which are anti-inflammatory cells of the immune system, increased during the study in all participants but there were no differences between the probiotic and placebo group.
Managing Your Childs Seasonal Allergies Naturally With Probiotics
People have been spending so much time indoors because of the pandemic. Now that spring is here, its time to take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy the outdoors. The skies are blue, the sun is shining, the grass is green and your childs got the sniffles. Sound familiar? Spring may be a beautiful time of year, but it is also allergy season. Tree and grass pollen proliferate in the spring, making allergy sufferers reluctant to open a window or go outside.
But before you reach for pharmaceutical treatments such as antihistamines and allergy shots, did you know that there are gentler and more holistic options? While this may not be what you had in mind for relieving allergies, studies have shown that probiotics help to reduce allergy symptoms by regulating your bodys immune responseand may be the key to overall health!
Allergies And Sore Throat
Along with sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and congestion, another common side effect of seasonal allergies is a sore throat. To make matters worse, the mucous produced by a runny nose can lead to post-nasal drip, which can further irritate and inflame your throat. No wonder your child is feeling so crummy from all those sniffles!
Related: The Best Probiotics For Dogs In 2020
As you explore probiotics, check out our always up-to-date list of the best probiotics for dogs. With so many brands on the market, we did our research to make picking the right one for your dog easy!
- Constant scratching and biting at hot spots
- Sores, scabs and eczema-like skin irritation
- Widespread hair loss
- Chronic ear infections
- Gastrointestinal problems
Depending on what type of allergy is causing skin irritation, veterinarians usually prescribe antihistamines, hydrocortisone, cortisone or a combination of medications. Unfortunately, these drugs only treat the symptoms and not the source of the allergya poorly functioning immune system and GI tract. To avoid medicating their dogs with drugs that often cause unhealthy side effects, pet owners are now relying on supplementation with beneficial bacteria instead, a natural, healthier method of treating the root cause of painful, itchy skin inflammation.
The Types Of Probiotics Using In The Treatment Of Allergic Rhinitis
Only a single probiotic strain was intensively involved in the studies of the treatment of most of allergic rhinitis, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus johnsonii EM1, Lactobacillus gasseri, Bacillus clausii, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. However, recent studies have been starting to evaluate the treatment effect by using more than one strain of probiotics. For example, Lactobacillus GG and L. gasseri were used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and the combined treatment effect of L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis were also determined. A probiotic mixture VSL#3 , which contains eight different probiotic strains were used in their study. Review of literatures revealed that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were the most popular probiotics studied by researchers. Meijerink et al. suggested that the 28 strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the best choice for research purposes, as they have been isolated from different commercially available products, and being screened for their immunomodulatory properties in a coculture assay with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
The Best Sources Of Probiotics
- Breastmilk
The best way to prevent your child from developing allergies is to breastfeed during the first two years of life. Breastfeeding ensures your child gets large doses of healing probiotics to seal his gut, nourish his body, and strengthen his immune system.
- Yogurt
Organic yogurt offers a good source of gut-healing probiotics. Be sure to choose an organic variety free of added sugars and food dyes.
- Sauerkraut & Kimchi
Sauerkraut & kimchi are two of the most potent sources of probiotics.
- Milk Kefir
Milk kefir is also a good and inexpensive source of probiotics that you can make yourself at home. Drink milk kefir on an empty stomach one hour to two hours before meals for best results.
- Kombucha
Kombucha is a fizzy, fermented drink you can also make at home. Because of its naturally carbonated consistency, it can easily replace dangerous, aspartame-laced diet soda.
So Could Taking Probiotics Help With Allergies
It isnt immediately obvious to most people how supplementing with probiotics or friendly bacteria could help allergy sufferers. But the question is an interesting one, given that 70% of our immune cells are located in our intestinal tract, and that our resident gut microbiome not only interacts with the immune system but can help to modulate its responses- incredible!1
In theory, most beneficial bacteria could have some positive effect on immune function merely by helping to improve gut health, but the research is a fast-growing, and new information is being discovered all the time about the different bacterial strains and their individual potential.
Recommendation Of Professional Associations
Medical associations are very cautious in their recommendations because it is not yet clear whether probiotics are effective. There are indeed studies demonstrating that the preparations have a positive effect . But in other studies, probiotics failed to reduce allergies .
So the current recommendation is that women who are pregnant or nursing and newborns do not need to take probiotics . The World Allergy Organization makes an exception for newborns whose family already has a history of allergies. These at-risk children could benefit from probiotic formula .
Probiotic Could Help Alleviate Hay Fever Symptoms
Itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing; allergy season is just around the corner. According to a new study, however, symptoms of hay fever could be reduced with a simple probiotic.
Researchers found that a probiotic consisting of both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria helped to alleviate hay fever symptoms and improved quality of life during allergy season.
First study author Jennifer Dennis, of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida, and colleagues recently reported their findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is estimated to affect around 40-60 million people in the United States. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to airborne allergens.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis usually occurs in spring, summer, and early fall, and it is most commonly triggered by grass, tree, and weed pollens, as well as mold spores. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, mouth, or skin, nose congestion, and fatigue.
Antihistamines and decongestants can help to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. However, as with all medications, they may cause side effects. These include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting.
However, according to the results of the new study, there may be an alternative treatment for people with seasonal allergies: probiotics.
Not all probiotics work for allergies. This one did, says Dennis.
Skin Allergies From Food
Proteins in non-meat food are primarily responsible for food allergies in dogs. Symptoms of a possible food allergy include:
- Non-seasonal skin itchiness and irritation
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Bark-like, leathery patches of skin
- Chronic ear infections
- Hyperpigmentation
Diagnosing food-related skin allergies require a veterinarian perform several tests, such as an intradermal skin test or ELISA, a type of blood test that detects levels of antibodies in the blood.
How Probiotics Treat Allergies
The key to eliminating the chronic allergic response caused by a hyper-vigilant immune system lies in probiotics. Probiotics treat allergies by healing your damaged digestive system, which decreases inflammation, stabilizes your immune system, and strengthens your gut lining. Once your immune system returns to a calm and more stable state, youll find the sniffling, sneezing, post-nasal drip, and other allergy symptoms often resolve on their own.
Probiotics And Gut Health
The best case for probiotic therapy has been in the treatment of diarrhea. Controlled trials have shown that Lactobacillus GG can shorten the course of infectious diarrhea in infants and children . Although studies are limited and data are inconsistent, two large reviews, taken together, suggest that probiotics reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 60%, when compared with a placebo.
More common than diarrhea is the opposite problem constipation. In a search for studies on the benefits of probiotics in treating constipation, researchers found that probiotics slowed “gut transit time” by 12.4 hours, increases the number of weekly bowel movements by 1.3, and helped to soften stools, making them easier to pass. But the jury is still out on specific recommendations when it comes to the benefits of probiotics for constipation.
Probiotic therapy may also help people with Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical trial results are mixed, but several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohn’s disease and the recurrence of pouchitis . Because these disorders are so frustrating to treat, many people are giving probiotics a try before all the evidence is in for the particular strains they’re using. More research is needed to find out which strains work best for what conditions.
There Is Hope For People With Food Allergies
I did reverse my food allergies. It took about two years but I did it. My experience taught me not to give up when you are given a prognosis.
Are there foods you just can’t eat? Is ordering in a restaurant an ordeal? Do bread and pizza leave you bloated and tired? Do dairy products give you gut pain or diarrhea? Do your symptoms manifest as IBS, bowel issues, arthritis or breathing problems? Do your kids have these problems or spectrum disorders?
I know how you feel. And I want you to know that there is hope!
What if I told you that if you can heal your gut, you can eat anything you want with no symptoms? That you can reverse these problems?
It is absolutely possible. I know it is because I reversed mine.
Not everyone can recover from food allergies, but the vast majority of people can.
It took two years to fully heal my gut, but I got my life back. Chances are, you can too!
What Does The Research Say
There are a number of studies that back up claims that probiotics can help allergy sufferers.
OptiBac conducted a randomised clinical trial with 47 hayfever sufferers. Some participants were given a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM & Bifidobacterium lactis BI-04 for 4 months whilst another took a placebo. The probiotic group saw a reduction in respiratory symptoms and their inflammatory response decreased too.4
A review in the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology looked at 23 studies of probiotics and allergies which, all together, involved nearly 2000 people. Here most participants who took probiotics saw improvement of some sort, including milder symptoms and better quality of life. This was in comparison to a control group who took a placebo, and saw no such improvements.5
Finally, as if all this werent enough, research conducted by the University of Florida in 2017 found similar positive results. This research involved 173 sufferers of mild, seasonal allergies and was conducted at the height of hayfever season. Again, some participants took a placebo whilst others were given the probiotics.
Here each participant had to regularly fill out a questionnaire about their symptoms, and more scientific tests were done on top of this. It was found that participants who took the probiotics had fewer nasal symptoms, plus the treatment didnt cause side effects such as drowsiness which is so often the case with antihistamines.6
How To Choose The Best Probiotics For Dog Skin Allergies
Before you give your dog a probiotic, check out this list of “must haves.”
A Rich Collection of Probiotic Species
The best probiotics for dogs include around 3-4 strains of probiotic cultures. Single strains won’t be as effective. Some probiotics survive against digestive enzymes and work their magic in the dog’s gut.
Others only live for the duration of their journey through the body. Supplements that offer various probiotics are favorable for yourself and your pet, meeting multiple needs.
A study by the University of Florida confirmed the benefits of the combined probiotics strains: lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. When taken by people suffering mild seasonal allergies, they saw a drastic drop in allergy-related symptoms. For pets, the combination of these lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains may also assist with allergies.
Pick a Product that Includes Prebiotics
Probiotics need prebiotics to survive. You cannot have one without the other. Our Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotic contains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains and chicory root prebiotics that feeds probiotic bacteria in the body.
Choose a Probiotic That is Easy to Give Your Pet
You can purchase probiotics for dogs that come in powder form or edible chews and tasty treats for doggie taste buds. Pick a pre-measured dose that is convenient to offer your pet. Remember that probiotics are live cultures, so you want to store them according to label instructions.
Free of Other Allergens
Atopic Family History Can Anything Be Done
There are conventional medications that act to reduce allergenic symptoms, such as anti-histamines and steroids, but avoidance of the known allergen is still one of the most effective methods of controlling reactions. This can be difficult when the allergen is widespread, as with pollens or tree spores that are spread throughout the environment in certain seasons and countries.
Considering that most of our beneficial gut bacteria is initially passed on to us from our mothers via the birth canal during natural childbirth, this predisposition could be traced back to a family history of unbalanced gut flora. Research is beginning to suggest that supporting gut health via the use of live cultures may help to prevent so-called atopic symptoms such as eczema.
A Dutch study8 from 2013 suggested that in atopic dermatitis running in families could be alleviated by improving the populations of beneficial microbiota:
The results of this study are supportive for a role of the microbiota in the development of AD . Moreover, the beneficial influence of older siblings on the microbiota composition suggests that this microbiota may be one of the biological mechanisms underlying the sibling effect.
If you would like to read more about how the microbiome influences the health of your baby you can read Dr. Kates in-depth article here: Baby Probiotics.
For more reading on this fascinating subject, healthcare practitioners might be interested in these other related articles:
Future Perspectives On The Role Of Probiotics As Adjuvants In Allergen Immunotherapy
Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a well-established treatment option for allergic rhinitis, including HDM-triggered AR . AIT triggers immunoregulatory mechanisms, including Treg cell activation, leading to the suppression of Th2 responses in favour of tolerance towards the allergen .
Adjuvants have been shown to amplify the effect of AIT by modulating the immune response to this therapy, thus increasing both its efficacy and safety .
In recent times, it has been hypothesized that probiotics, which stimulate innate immunity via toll-like receptor activation, could be used as adjuvants in AIT.
The effectiveness of probiotics as potential adjuvants in sublingual AIT has been studied in animal models; multiple lactic acid bacteria strains were found to act as Th1/possibly Treg inducers, and thereforein the authors opinionthey could represent valid candidates for adjuvants in SLIT .
In a murine model of mite allergy, immunotherapy with a recombinant Der p 1 allergen plus a probiotic strain prevented the development of allergic symptoms after an airway challenge with mite extracts; moreover, it was observed that it contributed to the upregulation of allergen-specific IgG2a production, down-regulation of specific IgE production and induction of a strong reduction of IL-5 secretion by allergen-restimulated splenocytes .
The Role Of Probiotics In Allergic Disorders
The interest in probiotic therapeutic potential in allergic disorders stemmed from the fact that they have been shown to reduce inflammatory cytokines and improve intestinal permeability in vitro. Such effects would be desirable in treating allergic disorders. Therefore, several studies have been designed to examine the efficacy of probiotics in many allergic conditions, such as eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma and food allergies.
a) Role of probiotics in atopic dermatitis
Several human trials, as well as, numerous animal and in vitro studies suggest a beneficial effect of probiotics in allergic diseases. The therapeutic and preventive role of probiotics in atopic dermatitis has been extensively studied.
1. Prevention of atopic dermatitis
The prevention of allergic diseases relies heavily on preventing sensitization to an offending allergen. Enomoto and colleagues investigated the association of consumption of fermented dairy products and the development of allergy and allergic sensitization in Japanese students as reflected on serum levels of total IgE values, specific IgE to house dust mite and Japanese cedar pollen. The report demonstrated a significant reduction in allergy development among the students consuming fermented milk in comparison with students who did not consume fermented products.
In general, the role for probiotics in the prevention of atopic dermatitis awaits future studies.
Table 1 Prevention of sensitization and allergic diseases
Diagnosing Food Parasitic And Airborne Allergies In Dogs
Confirming a case of a respiratory allergy is done by a veterinarian performing one of two tests: the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test or the RAST test. Both tests detect allergen-specific antibodies in the blood if the dog is allergic to something but the ELISA test provides more accurate details about specific antibodies in the dogs bloodstream.
Intradermal tests may also be indicated if the dog is having allergic reactions but the exact cause of the allergy is not know. A patch is applied to the dogs skin and the veterinarian will then inject possible allergens into the dogs blood until the patch reacts to one or more of the injections.
Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis
Dog skin allergy appears as an ugly rash due to relentless scratching. The more serious version of it is called acute moist dermatitis or hot spots small bald areas that appear red, irritated, inflamed and often feel hot to the touch.
Atopic dogs will usually rub, lick, chew, bite or scratch at their feet, flanks, ears, armpits or groin. Their skin may also become dry and crusty or oily depending on the dog.
The ear flaps of some dogs may become red and hot. Some get a bacterial and yeast ear infection due to overproduction of wax as a response to the allergy.
Use Probiotics To Treat Allergies Eczema And More
All Disease Begins in the Gut Hippocrates
Probiotics Heal Allergies Naturally
If you suffer from allergies, youre likely taking an over-the-counter or prescription allergy medication. Unfortunately, this type of treatment wont do anything to address the underlying cause of your allergies. Probiotics will. Anyone living with chronic allergies has both a compromised immune system and a malfunctioning digestive system.
Probiotics are the live, active cultures found in fermented foods. Fermented foods and probiotic supplements not only help treat your allergies from the inside out, they can help improve your digestive and mental health as well.
How Long Does It Take Probiotics To Work In Dogs
It depends. There are so many factors that come into play when considering how long itll take for probiotics to be effective in your dog.
If your dog is healthy, you may notice health benefits for your dog soon after starting probiotics or later on down the line. The benefits will probably be subtle but you can be confident that probiotics are doing their job internally to keep your dog healthy and keep them from getting sick.
If your dog has any sort of health condition, probiotics may be able to help in treating the underlying cause or provide relief from symptoms. For example, if it has irritable bowel syndrome, you may find improvement in symptoms like diarrhea or constipation within a matter of days.
You may notice improvements in your dogs health in as little as a few days to as long as a couple of months. There are just too many variables such as the dogs overall health, its genetic makeup, its diet and gut health.
