Psyllium allergy in hospital personnel: a report on twelve patients

We have followed 12 patients with acute symptoms on exposure to psyllium over a three-year period. All were hospital personnel with evidence of atopy. Exposure was by inhalation on dispensing psyllium powder. Symptoms which occurred within minutes of exposure included rhinitis (12/12), conjunctivitis (10/12), shortness of breath and wheezing (9/12). All patients had psyllium-specific IgE antibodies demonstrated by either positive prick-skin tests (1:100) or serum antibodies (rast). Controls had no reactivity to psyllium. Sensitivity persisted over the entire three-year period. We conclude that sensitivity to psyllium is an IgE-mediated occupational allergy in hospital personnel; that it produces significant symptoms and it is often unrecognized; and that persistance of sensitivity necessitates strict avoidance of psyllium by all routes of exposure.