Artificial intelligence has come a long way. It can do everything from cheering you up with playful flirting to making your emails look more professional, acting as your personal fashion stylist, and now even uncovering hidden allergies. A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted just that when a man shared how he used AI to help him figure out his girlfriend’s mysterious allergies.

Now we ask you what is the best part? Tropical VacationSeafood, of course! But for 19-year-old Riya Sharma (name changed), dishes like butter garlic prawns or lobster rolls have always been taboo. She was just 10 when she first ate prawns, but broke out in a red, itchy rash that was a sign of a serious allergic reaction.

Similarly, 33-year-old Nitin Agarwal (name changed) too faces his own culinary challenges as mushrooms are a trigger for him. Painful rashes on the back of his hands are a sign that mushrooms were sneaked into his food.

Food allergies affect millions of people, and avoiding known triggers can help, but detecting hidden ingredients is often impossible. However, there is new hope on the horizon. Did you know that asthma medication could be the key to curing food allergies? It’s called XolairInterestingly, in February 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration approved this drug as a treatment option to help reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions.

First, know a little about food allergies

Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless food protein as a threat and activates an immune response.

“This reaction leads to the release of chemicals such as histamine, which can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Common food allergens include peanuts, shellfish, milk, eggs and wheat,” explains Dr Balakrishna GK, HOD and Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru. india today,

Apart from this, Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, explains that IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is the most common cause of food allergies.

“When a person with IgE antibodies eats the same food allergen again, the allergen binds to the IgE antibodies, causing certain immune cells to release chemicals such as histamine from mast cells. In severe cases, a reaction may occur even if the allergen is inhaled or touched, even without being eaten,” he explained.

Furthermore, Dr. Ritu Malani, Consultant, Allergy and Asthma, Max Hospital, New Delhi, explains that the immune response triggered by food allergies can manifest in different ways.

Common symptoms include itching and hives on the skin (acute urticaria), swelling of the lips, eyes, face or tongue (angioedema), and even swelling of the throat, which can cause a choking sensation.

Food allergies can also cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and stridor, as well as cardiovascular problems such as palpitations, a drop in blood pressure and fainting (syncope). Gastrointestinal reactions are also possible, including vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea.

“When extreme reactions occur, they are called anaphylactic reactions. These can be life-threatening, and the patient requires immediate emergency care in the form of adrenaline injections, intravenous steroids, intravenous antihistamines, oxygen, and bronchodilators,” says Dr Malani.

Any miracle cure?

Dr. Tayal explains that Xolair, a monoclonal antibody that targets IgE (the immune protein involved in allergic reactions), was initially developed to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic spontaneous urticaria. Earlier this year, it became the first FDA-approved drug to reduce the risk of allergic reactions to multiple foods in people with food allergies.

Dr. Tayal says, “Although it is not a cure for food allergies, it helps reduce the severity of reactions that occur after accidental exposure to allergens.” He adds, “In clinical trials, Xolair has demonstrated some efficacy in reducing reactions to allergens such as peanuts, cashews, and eggs. However, it is not a universal solution, and a certain percentage of people may not respond well to the treatment.”

Dr. Malani agrees, “Xolair does not treat or cure food allergies. It reduces the risk of harmful allergic reactions in some patients with IgE-mediated food allergies. While it will not eliminate or allow patients to eat food allergens freely, its frequent use will help reduce the health impact if accidental exposure occurs.”

Meanwhile, Xolair has potential side effects, including fever, dizziness, fatigue, rash, joint pain, and upper respiratory symptoms such as rhinitis or sinusitis. In rare cases, more serious side effects such as anaphylaxis may occur.

Xolair in India

According to Dr. Balakrishna GK, Xolair is used in India mainly for asthma and chronic urticaria. It is less accessible to the wider population due to its high cost and limited availability.

Dr Malani also pointed out that at present Xolair is not being widely prescribed for food allergies by allergists in India.

Additionally, the drug is very expensive (Rs 28,000 for a 150 mg injection), but biosimilars from other pharmaceutical companies, such as Emezumab and Omalirel, have been approved in India, which cost around Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000 for a 150 mg injection.

Given that the dose of the injection ranges from 75 mg to 450/600 mg every 2-4 weeks depending on the disease, patient weight and IgE levels, its cost is a matter of concern for some sections of the Indian population.

Alternative Treatments for Food Allergies

If you know you are allergic to a food, the best solution is to avoid that allergen altogether. Always check the ingredients before eating anything and let the people around you know about your allergy so they can help keep you safe.

When dining out, be sure to tell the chef or server about your allergies to ensure no hidden allergens accidentally end up in your food.

Oral immunotherapy (OIT), in which the patient is gradually exposed to increasing amounts of the allergen to develop tolerance, is another alternative treatment. It has proven promising in desensitizing the body over time.

Using antihistamines or carrying an epinephrine auto-injector for emergencies is also an essential part of managing food allergies.