The role of additives in chronic pseudo-allergic dermatopathies from food intolerance.

In the vast area of qualitative pathologies caused by foods, real IgE-mediated allergic reactions are rather rare. More commonly observed and apparently on a constant rise in Western countries are reactions from food intolerance, especially in relationship with the massive exposure to additives used in industrial food products. This study involved a population of 582 adult patients with chronic pseudo-allergic dermatopathies. The link between symptoms and intolerance to food additives has been proved on the basis of the efficacy of a strict diet that eliminates certain foods and the positivity of the provocation test in double-blind trial controlled with a placebo in 165 patients (about 28% of the cases). These results lead us to conclude that additives are a frequent cause of chronic pseudo-allergic dermatopathies in adult patients and, in general, a problem of primary importance in the allergology practice.