Abstract
The seeds of Plantago ovata, called psyllium or ispaghula, have been used in the preparation of bulk laxatives. Nowadays, it is also used as an ingredient in bakery and breakfast cereals to increase dietary fiber and to give baking products fluffiness and viscosity. Mostly, there are described cases of occupational allergy that handle Plantago ovata seeds in powder laxatives and some cases of anaphylaxis after eating products containing psyllium. This case report is about a geriatric assistant who had an anaphylactic shock after eating a multigrain gluten-free piece of bread containing psyllium, who presented a positive skin test with psyllium in the allergy study. We recommended to the patient to avoid the ingestion and the inhalation at work of Plantago ovata seeds and to carry self-injectable adrenaline. With this case, we would like to highlight the growing uses of psyllium, especially in bakery products, and that it can behave like a hidden allergen.
Highlights
Plantago ovata is a plant of the Plantaginaceae family, native from Asia, the Mediterranean region and North Africa
The seeds of Plantago ovata (P. ovata) are called psyllium or ispaghula and are small brown seeds that look like fleas, their Greek name psyllium [1]
It has been defended that patients with allergies to these seeds are sensitized by inhalation after handling P. ovata seed powder during the preparation of laxatives [4]
Summary
Plantago ovata is a plant of the Plantaginaceae family, native from Asia, the Mediterranean region and North Africa. The laxative properties of P. ovata seeds are based on the hydrophilic properties of its cuticle, from which soluble fiber is obtained. It has been defended that patients with allergies to these seeds are sensitized by inhalation after handling P. ovata seed powder during the preparation of laxatives [4]. A case of death secondary to a severe asthma attack is described after manipulation of a laxative with P. ovata seeds in a nurse, being diagnosed post mortem of anaphylaxis by inhalation of psyllium [5]. The following risk groups have been described for the development of allergy to psyllium [13]: workers in the pharmaceutical industry who handle laxatives with P. ovata seeds powder, health care professionals who prepare this type of laxatives for consumption by patients and to a lesser extent in the consumers of the product themselves. Patients (nurses and nursing assistants) recruited for this study presented mainly rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma after the manipulation of P. ovata seeds in powdered laxatives [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
