Misplaced Pages

#269730

81-479: If consumed in amounts exceeding its typical use as a spice, nutmeg powder may produce allergic reactions , cause contact dermatitis , or have psychoactive effects. Although used in traditional medicine for treating various disorders, nutmeg has no scientifically confirmed medicinal value . Conifers of the genus Torreya , commonly known as the nutmeg yews, have edible seeds of similar appearance, but are not closely related to M. fragrans , and are not used as

162-503: A TH2 -mediated immune response. Many bacteria and viruses elicit a TH1 -mediated immune response, which down-regulates TH2 responses. The first proposed mechanism of action of the hygiene hypothesis was that insufficient stimulation of the TH1 arm of the immune system leads to an overactive TH2 arm, which in turn leads to allergic disease. In other words, individuals living in too sterile an environment are not exposed to enough pathogens to keep

243-465: A multi-purpose grating tool . In Indonesian cuisine , nutmeg is used in dishes, such as spicy soups including variants of soto , konro , oxtail soup , sup iga (ribs soup), bakso , and sup kambing . It is also used in gravy for meat dishes, such as semur , beef stew, ribs with tomato, and European derived dishes such as bistik (beef steak), rolade (minced meat roll), and bistik lidah (beef tongue steak). In Indian cuisine , nutmeg

324-530: A T helper 2 (TH2)-predominant response driven by suppression of interleukin 12 by both the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis . Stress management in highly susceptible individuals may improve symptoms. Allergic diseases are more common in industrialized countries than in countries that are more traditional or agricultural, and there is a higher rate of allergic disease in urban populations versus rural populations, although these differences are becoming less defined. Historically,

405-752: A comprehensive nutmeg plantation system on the islands during the 17th century. As a result of the Dutch interregnum during the Napoleonic Wars , the British invaded and temporarily took control of the Banda Islands from the Dutch and transplanted nutmeg trees, complete with soil, to Sri Lanka , Penang, Bencoolen , and Singapore . From these locations they were transplanted to their other colonial holdings elsewhere, notably Zanzibar and Grenada. The national flag of Grenada , adopted in 1974, shows

486-413: A country grows more affluent and, it is presumed, cleaner. The use of antibiotics in the first year of life has been linked to asthma and other allergic diseases. The use of antibacterial cleaning products has also been associated with higher incidence of asthma, as has birth by caesarean section rather than vaginal birth. Chronic stress can aggravate allergic conditions. This has been attributed to

567-568: A foothold in the islands. In order to obtain a monopoly on the production and trade of nutmeg, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) waged a bloody battle with the Bandanese in 1621. Historian Willard Hanna estimated that before this struggle the islands were populated by approximately 15,000 people, and only 1,000 were left (the Bandanese were killed, starved while fleeing, exiled, or sold as slaves). The Company constructed

648-456: A fragrant candy. Sliced nutmeg fruit flesh is made as manisan (sweets), either wet, which is seasoned in sugary syrup liquid, or dry coated with sugar, a dessert called manisan pala in Indonesia. In Penang cuisine , dried, shredded nutmeg rind with sugar coating is used as toppings on the uniquely Penang ais kacang . The flesh of the nutmeg fruit is also blended, in the fresh state, into

729-525: A hitherto unsuspected symbiosis is at work. For more information on this topic, see Helminthic therapy . In the initial stages of allergy, a type I hypersensitivity reaction against an allergen encountered for the first time and presented by a professional antigen-presenting cell causes a response in a type of immune cell called a T H 2 lymphocyte , a subset of T cells that produce a cytokine called interleukin-4 (IL-4). These T H 2 cells interact with other lymphocytes called B cells , whose role

810-428: A large local reaction may occur in the form of an area of skin redness greater than 10 cm in size that can last one to two days. This reaction may also occur after immunotherapy . Risk factors for allergies can be placed in two broad categories, namely host and environmental factors. Host factors include heredity , sex, race , and age, with heredity being by far the most significant. However, there has been

891-449: A licensed health care provider ( e.g. , an allergy specialist) or general practitioner. Unlike skin-prick testing, a blood test can be performed irrespective of age, skin condition, medication, symptom, disease activity, and pregnancy. Adults and children of any age can get an allergy blood test. For babies and very young children, a single needle stick for allergy blood testing is often gentler than several skin pricks. An allergy blood test

SECTION 10

#1732772071270

972-418: A milk allergy will have a reaction to beef. Lactose intolerance, a common reaction to milk, is not a form of allergy at all, but due to the absence of an enzyme in the digestive tract . Those with tree nut allergies may be allergic to one or to many tree nuts , including pecans , pistachios , and walnuts . In addition, seeds , including sesame seeds and poppy seeds , contain oils in which protein

1053-423: A patient in for evaluation, some allergists will prefer an initial blood test prior to performing the skin prick test. Skin tests may not be an option if the patient has widespread skin disease or has taken antihistamines in the last several days. Patch testing is a method used to determine if a specific substance causes allergic inflammation of the skin. It tests for delayed reactions. It is used to help ascertain

1134-609: A period of 15 to 30 weeks. During this time, the nutmeg shrinks away from its hard seed coat until the kernels rattle in their shells when shaken. The shell is then broken with a wooden club and the nutmegs are picked out. Dried nutmegs are greenish brown ovoids with furrowed surfaces. The nutmegs are roughly egg-shaped, about 20.5–30 mm (0.81–1.18 in) long and 15–18 mm (0.59–0.71 in) wide, weighing 5–10 g (0.18–0.35 oz) dried. Two other species of genus Myristica with different flavors, M. malabarica and M. argentea , are sometimes used to adulterate nutmeg as

1215-601: A potato pancake than food-processed potato shreds. In Jamaica and Belize , coconut graters are used as a traditional musical instrument (along with drums, fife, and other instruments) in the performance of kumina , jonkanoo , brukdown , and sometimes mento . The first attested graters were made out of bronze, and also silver alloys, in the early first millennium BCE, examples of which were uncovered from burial sites in Greece and Etruscan Italy. In line with Homer 's Iliad these were sometimes used to grate goat's cheese in

1296-445: A process called degranulation , during which they release histamine and other inflammatory chemical mediators ( cytokines , interleukins , leukotrienes , and prostaglandins ) from their granules into the surrounding tissue causing several systemic effects, such as vasodilation , mucous secretion, nerve stimulation, and smooth muscle contraction. This results in rhinorrhea , itchiness, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis. Depending on

1377-440: A recent increase in the incidence of allergic disorders that cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. Four major environmental candidates are alterations in exposure to infectious diseases during early childhood, environmental pollution , allergen levels, and dietary changes. Dust mite allergy, also known as house dust allergy, is a sensitization and allergic reaction to the droppings of house dust mites . The allergy

1458-1151: A spice, nutmeg produces no noticeable physiological or neurological response, but in large doses, both raw nutmeg freshly ground from kernels and nutmeg oil have psychoactive effects. Such effects appear to derive from anticholinergic -like hallucinogenic mechanisms attributed to myristicin and elemicin . Myristicin—a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and psychoactive substance—can cause convulsions , palpitations , nausea , eventual dehydration , and generalized body pain when consumed in large amounts. Nutmeg may interact with anxiolytic drugs, produce allergic reactions , cause contact dermatitis , and evoke acute episodes of psychosis . Varying considerably from person to person, nutmeg intoxication may occur with side effects , such as delirium , anxiety, confusion, headaches, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, eye irritation, and amnesia . Intoxication takes several hours to reach maximum effect, and may last for several days. Incidents of fatal poisoning from nutmeg and myristicin individually are uncommon. Nutmeg poisonings occur by accidental consumption in children and by intentional recreational use. It

1539-615: A spice. Mace is the spice made from the reddish seed covering ( aril ) of the nutmeg seed. Its flavour is similar to that of nutmeg but more delicate; it is used to flavour baked goods, meat, fish, and vegetables, and in preserving and pickling. In the processing of mace, the crimson-colored aril is removed from the nutmeg seed that it envelops and is flattened out and dried for 10 to 14 days. Its color changes to pale yellow, orange, or tan. Whole dry mace consists of flat pieces—smooth, horn-like, and brittle—about 40 mm ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 2  in) long. The most important commercial species

1620-403: A spice. Nutmeg is the spice made by grinding the seed of the fragrant nutmeg tree ( Myristica fragrans ) into powder. The spice has a distinctive pungent fragrance and a warm, slightly sweet taste; it is used to flavor many kinds of baked goods, confections, puddings , potatoes, meats, sausages, sauces, vegetables, and such beverages as eggnog . The seeds are dried gradually in the sun over

1701-564: A stylised split-open nutmeg fruit. The Dutch retained control of the Spice Islands until World War II . Connecticut may have received its nickname ("the Nutmeg State", " Nutmegger ") from the claim that some unscrupulous Connecticut traders would whittle "nutmeg" out of wood, creating a "wooden nutmeg", a term which later came to mean any type of fraud. This narrative may have to do with the issue that one has to grate to obtain

SECTION 20

#1732772071270

1782-437: A systemic allergic response that is also called anaphylaxis; multiple organ systems can be affected, including the digestive system , the respiratory system , and the circulatory system . Depending on the severity, anaphylaxis can include skin reactions, bronchoconstriction, swelling , low blood pressure , coma, and death. This type of reaction can be triggered suddenly, or the onset can be delayed. The nature of anaphylaxis

1863-621: A type of smoothie (white in colour and having a fresh, ‘green’, tangy taste); or boiled, resulting in a brown liquid, much sweeter in taste, which is used in the preparation of iced drinks. In Kerala Malabar region of India, it is used for juice, pickles and chutney. The essential oil obtained by steam distillation of ground nutmeg is used in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. The volatile fraction contains dozens of terpenes and phenylpropanoids , including D - pinene , limonene , D - borneol , L - terpineol , geraniol , safrole , and myristicin . In its pure form, myristicin

1944-428: Is inherited and related to an irregularity in the immune system, but the specific allergen is not. The risk of allergic sensitization and the development of allergies varies with age, with young children most at risk. Several studies have shown that IgE levels are highest in childhood and fall rapidly between the ages of 10 and 30 years. The peak prevalence of hay fever is highest in children and young adults and

2025-437: Is a toxin , and consumption of excessive amounts of nutmeg can result in myristicin poisoning. The oil is colorless or light yellow, and smells and tastes of nutmeg. It is used as a natural food flavoring in baked goods , syrups, beverages, and sweets. It is used to replace ground nutmeg, as it leaves no particles in the food. The essential oil is also used in the manufacturing of toothpaste and cough syrups . Nutmeg butter

2106-433: Is a significant allergy to the substance in question. Early exposure of children to potential allergens may be protective. Treatments for allergies include avoidance of known allergens and the use of medications such as steroids and antihistamines . In severe reactions, injectable adrenaline (epinephrine) is recommended. Allergen immunotherapy , which gradually exposes people to larger and larger amounts of allergen,

2187-445: Is also commonly used in rice pudding . In Dutch cuisine , nutmeg is added to vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and string beans. Nutmeg is a traditional ingredient in mulled cider , mulled wine , junket and eggnog . In Scotland, mace and nutmeg are usually both ingredients in haggis . In Italian cuisine , nutmeg is used as part of the stuffing for many regional meat-filled dumplings like tortellini , as well as for

2268-808: Is an allergic contact dermatitis, a delayed hypersensitive reaction appearing as dry, crusted lesions. This reaction usually lasts 48–96 hours. Sweating or rubbing the area under the glove aggravates the lesions, possibly leading to ulcerations. Anaphylactic reactions occur most often in sensitive patients who have been exposed to a surgeon's latex gloves during abdominal surgery, but other mucosal exposures, such as dental procedures, can also produce systemic reactions. Latex and banana sensitivity may cross-react. Furthermore, those with latex allergy may also have sensitivities to avocado , kiwifruit, and chestnut. These people often have perioral itching and local urticaria . Only occasionally have these food-induced allergies induced systemic responses. Researchers suspect that

2349-548: Is available through most laboratories . A sample of the patient's blood is sent to a laboratory for analysis, and the results are sent back a few days later. Multiple allergens can be detected with a single blood sample. Allergy blood tests are very safe since the person is not exposed to any allergens during the testing procedure. Grater A grater , also known as a shredder , is a kitchen utensil used to grate foods into fine pieces. Several types of graters feature different sizes of grating slots, and can therefore aid in

2430-401: Is common and can trigger allergic reactions such as asthma, eczema , or itching .The mite's gut contains potent digestive enzymes (notably peptidase 1 ) that persist in their feces and are major inducers of allergic reactions such as wheezing . The mite's exoskeleton can also contribute to allergic reactions. Unlike scabies mites or skin follicle mites, house dust mites do not burrow under

2511-503: Is due to both genetic and environmental factors. The underlying mechanism involves immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE), part of the body's immune system, binding to an allergen and then to a receptor on mast cells or basophils where it triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals such as histamine . Diagnosis is typically based on a person's medical history . Further testing of the skin or blood may be useful in certain cases. Positive tests, however, may not necessarily mean there

Nutmeg - Misplaced Pages Continue

2592-542: Is not itself a protein, acts as a hapten and chemically reacts with, binds to, and changes the shape of integral membrane proteins on exposed skin cells. The immune system does not recognize the affected cells as normal parts of the body, causing a T-cell -mediated immune response . Of these poisonous plants, sumac is the most virulent. The resulting dermatological response to the reaction between urushiol and membrane proteins includes redness, swelling, papules , vesicles , blisters , and streaking. Estimates vary on

2673-477: Is obtained from the nut by expression . It is semisolid, reddish-brown in colour, and has the taste and smell of nutmeg itself. About 75% (by weight) of nutmeg butter is trimyristin , which can be turned into myristic acid , a 14-carbon fatty acid , which can be used as a replacement for cocoa butter , can be mixed with other fats like cottonseed oil or palm oil , and has applications as an industrial lubricant . The earliest evidence of use of nutmeg comes in

2754-455: Is often guided by relevant literature. In general, a positive response is interpreted when the wheal of an antigen is ≥3mm larger than the wheal of the negative control (eg, saline or glycerin). Some patients may believe they have determined their own allergic sensitivity from observation, but a skin test has been shown to be much better than patient observation to detect allergy. If a serious life-threatening anaphylactic reaction has brought

2835-453: Is often the practice for determining whether allergy to milk, egg, soy, and wheat have been outgrown, and the testing interval is extended to 2–3 years for allergy to peanut, tree nuts, fish, and crustacean shellfish. Results of follow-up testing can guide decision-making regarding whether and when it is safe to introduce or re-introduce allergenic food into the diet. Skin testing is also known as "puncture testing" and "prick testing" due to

2916-420: Is present, which may elicit an allergic reaction. Allergens can be transferred from one food to another through genetic engineering ; however, genetic modification can also remove allergens. Little research has been done on the natural variation of allergen concentrations in unmodified crops. Latex can trigger an IgE-mediated cutaneous, respiratory, and systemic reaction. The prevalence of latex allergy in

2997-512: Is presumed, exposed to more infectious agents through their siblings, than in children from families with only one child. It is used to explain the increase in allergic diseases that have been seen since industrialization, and the higher incidence of allergic diseases in more developed countries. The hygiene hypothesis has now expanded to include exposure to symbiotic bacteria and parasites as important modulators of immune system development, along with infectious agents. Epidemiological data support

3078-417: Is production of antibodies. Coupled with signals provided by IL-4, this interaction stimulates the B cell to begin production of a large amount of a particular type of antibody known as IgE. Secreted IgE circulates in the blood and binds to an IgE-specific receptor (a kind of Fc receptor called FcεRI ) on the surface of other kinds of immune cells called mast cells and basophils , which are both involved in

3159-466: Is saline or glycerin; positive is histamine). A small plastic or metal device is used to puncture or prick the skin. Sometimes, the allergens are injected "intradermally" into the patient's skin, with a needle and syringe. Common areas for testing include the inside forearm and the back. If the patient is allergic to the substance, then a visible inflammatory reaction will usually occur within 30 minutes. This response will range from slight reddening of

3240-453: Is such that the reaction can seem to be subsiding but may recur throughout a period of time. Substances that come into contact with the skin, such as latex , are also common causes of allergic reactions, known as contact dermatitis or eczema. Skin allergies frequently cause rashes , or swelling and inflammation within the skin, in what is known as a " weal and flare" reaction characteristic of hives and angioedema . With insect stings,

3321-449: Is termed an "allergic" reaction (which usually refers to type I hypersensitivity), its pathophysiology involves a reaction that more correctly corresponds to a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. In type IV hypersensitivity, there is activation of certain types of T cells (CD8+) that destroy target cells on contact, as well as activated macrophages that produce hydrolytic enzymes . Effective management of allergic diseases relies on

Nutmeg - Misplaced Pages Continue

3402-732: Is the common, true or fragrant nutmeg, M. fragrans ( Myristicaceae ), native to the Moluccas (or Spice Islands) of Indonesia. It is also cultivated on Penang Island in Malaysia, in the Caribbean , especially in Grenada , and in Kerala , a state formerly known as Malabar in ancient writings as the hub of spice trading, in southern India. In the 17th-century work Hortus Botanicus Malabaricus , Hendrik van Rheede records that Indians learned

3483-429: Is used in many sweet, as well as savoury, dishes. In Kerala Malabar region , grated nutmeg is used in meat preparations and also sparingly added to desserts for the flavour. It may also be used in small quantities in garam masala . In traditional European cuisine , nutmeg and mace are used especially in potato and spinach dishes and in processed meat products; they are also used in soups, sauces, and baked goods. It

3564-520: Is used recreationally with the intention of achieving a low-cost high resembling psychedelics, particularly by adolescents, drug users, college students, and prisoners. Relatively large doses of nutmeg are required to produce effects; a majority of reported nutmeg intoxication cases appear to result from recreational use. Playwright and poet William Shakespeare was alleged to use nutmeg for hallucinogenic purposes as nutmeg extract along with cannabis were found in analysis of fragments of his pipe. Nutmeg

3645-549: Is useful for some types of allergies such as hay fever and reactions to insect bites. Its use in food allergies is unclear. Allergies are common. In the developed world, about 20% of people are affected by allergic rhinitis, about 6% of people have at least one food allergy, and about 20% have or have had atopic dermatitis at some point in time. Depending on the country, about 1–18% of people have asthma. Anaphylaxis occurs in between 0.05–2% of people. Rates of many allergic diseases appear to be increasing. The word "allergy"

3726-485: Is usually to proteins in the white , rather than the yolk . Milk-protein allergies —distinct from lactose intolerance —are most common in children. Approximately 60% of milk-protein reactions are immunoglobulin E –mediated, with the remaining usually attributable to inflammation of the colon . Some people are unable to tolerate milk from goats or sheep as well as from cows, and many are also unable to tolerate dairy products such as cheese. Roughly 10% of children with

3807-455: The Indian subcontinent , the grater is used for preparation of a popular dessert, Gajar Ka Halwa . Graters produce shreds that are thinner at the ends than the middle. This allows the grated material to melt or cook in a different manner than the shreds of mostly uniform thickness produced by the grating blade of a food processor . Hand-grated potatoes, for example, melt together more easily in

3888-606: The immune system to typically harmless substances in the environment. These diseases include hay fever , food allergies , atopic dermatitis , allergic asthma , and anaphylaxis . Symptoms may include red eyes , an itchy rash , sneezing , coughing , a runny nose , shortness of breath , or swelling. Note that food intolerances and food poisoning are separate conditions. Common allergens include pollen and certain foods. Metals and other substances may also cause such problems. Food, insect stings , and medications are common causes of severe reactions. Their development

3969-502: The lungs , shortness of breath , coughing, and wheezing. Aside from these ambient allergens, allergic reactions can result from foods, insect stings , and reactions to medications like aspirin and antibiotics such as penicillin . Symptoms of food allergy include abdominal pain, bloating , vomiting, diarrhea , itchy skin, and hives . Food allergies rarely cause respiratory (asthmatic) reactions, or rhinitis . Insect stings, food, antibiotics , and certain medicines may produce

4050-611: The Banda Islands, the expedition remained for about a month, buying and filling their ships with Banda's nutmeg and mace, and with cloves in which Banda had a thriving entrepôt trade . An early account of Banda is in Suma Oriental , a book written by the Portuguese apothecary Tomé Pires , based in Malacca from 1512 to 1515. Full control of this trade by the Portuguese was not possible, and they remained participants without

4131-1011: The ability to make an accurate diagnosis. Allergy testing can help confirm or rule out allergies. Correct diagnosis, counseling, and avoidance advice based on valid allergy test results reduce the incidence of symptoms and need for medications, and improve quality of life. To assess the presence of allergen-specific IgE antibodies, two different methods can be used: a skin prick test, or an allergy blood test . Both methods are recommended, and they have similar diagnostic value. Skin prick tests and blood tests are equally cost-effective, and health economic evidence shows that both tests were cost-effective compared with no test. Early and more accurate diagnoses save cost due to reduced consultations, referrals to secondary care, misdiagnosis, and emergency admissions. Allergy undergoes dynamic changes over time. Regular allergy testing of relevant allergens provides information on if and how patient management can be changed to improve health and quality of life. Annual testing

SECTION 50

#1732772071270

4212-506: The acute inflammatory response. The IgE-coated cells, at this stage, are sensitized to the allergen. If later exposure to the same allergen occurs, the allergen can bind to the IgE molecules held on the surface of the mast cells or basophils. Cross-linking of the IgE and Fc receptors occurs when more than one IgE-receptor complex interacts with the same allergenic molecule and activates the sensitized cell. Activated mast cells and basophils undergo

4293-536: The blood. Certain microbe-sensing proteins , known as Toll-like receptors , found on the surface of cells in the body are also thought to be involved in these processes. Parasitic worms and similar parasites are present in untreated drinking water in developing countries, and were present in the water of developed countries until the routine chlorination and purification of drinking water supplies. Recent research has shown that some common parasites, such as intestinal worms (e.g., hookworms ), secrete chemicals into

4374-403: The cause of skin contact allergy or contact dermatitis . Adhesive patches, usually treated with several common allergic chemicals or skin sensitizers, are applied to the back. The skin is then examined for possible local reactions at least twice, usually at 48 hours after application of the patch, and again two or three days later. An allergy blood test is quick and simple and can be ordered by

4455-680: The cross-reactivity of latex with banana, avocado , kiwifruit , and chestnut occurs because latex proteins are structurally homologous with some other plant proteins. About 10% of people report that they are allergic to penicillin ; however, of that 10%, 90% turn out not to be. Serious allergies only occur in about 0.03%. One of the main sources of human allergies is insects. An allergy to insects can be brought on by bites, stings, ingestion, and inhalation. Another non-food protein reaction, urushiol-induced contact dermatitis , originates after contact with poison ivy , eastern poison oak , western poison oak , or poison sumac . Urushiol , which

4536-485: The delayed establishment of gut flora in infants . However, the research to support this theory is conflicting, with some studies performed in China and Ethiopia showing an increase in allergy in people infected with intestinal worms. Clinical trials have been initiated to test the effectiveness of certain worms in treating some allergies. It may be that the term 'parasite' could turn out to be inappropriate, and in fact

4617-567: The form of 3,500-year-old potsherd residues from the island of Pulau Ai, one of the Banda Islands in eastern Indonesia. The Banda Islands consist of eleven small volcanic islands, and are part of the larger Maluku Islands group. These islands were the only source of nutmeg and mace production until the mid-19th century. It was one of the spices traded over the Austronesian maritime spice trade network since at least 1500 BCE. In

4698-588: The general population is believed to be less than one percent. In a hospital study, 1 in 800 surgical patients (0.125 percent) reported latex sensitivity, although the sensitivity among healthcare workers is higher, between seven and ten percent. Researchers attribute this higher level to the exposure of healthcare workers to areas with significant airborne latex allergens, such as operating rooms, intensive-care units, and dental suites. These latex-rich environments may sensitize healthcare workers who regularly inhale allergenic proteins. The most prevalent response to latex

4779-466: The gut wall (and, hence, the bloodstream) that suppress the immune system and prevent the body from attacking the parasite. This gives rise to a new slant on the hygiene hypothesis theory—that co-evolution of humans and parasites has led to an immune system that functions correctly only in the presence of the parasites. Without them, the immune system becomes unbalanced and oversensitive. In particular, research suggests that allergies may coincide with

4860-460: The hygiene hypothesis. Studies have shown that various immunological and autoimmune diseases are much less common in the developing world than the industrialized world, and that immigrants to the industrialized world from the developing world increasingly develop immunological disorders in relation to the length of time since arrival in the industrialized world. Longitudinal studies in the third world demonstrate an increase in immunological disorders as

4941-462: The immune system busy. Since our bodies evolved to deal with a certain level of such pathogens, when they are not exposed to this level, the immune system will attack harmless antigens, and thus normally benign microbial objects—like pollen—will trigger an immune response. The hygiene hypothesis was developed to explain the observation that hay fever and eczema , both allergic diseases, were less common in children from larger families, which were, it

SECTION 60

#1732772071270

5022-496: The incidence of asthma is highest in children under 10. Ethnicity may play a role in some allergies; however, racial factors have been difficult to separate from environmental influences and changes due to migration . It has been suggested that different genetic loci are responsible for asthma, to be specific, in people of European , Hispanic , Asian , and African origins. Allergic diseases are caused by inappropriate immunological responses to harmless antigens driven by

5103-459: The individual, allergen, and mode of introduction, the symptoms can be system-wide (classical anaphylaxis) or localized to specific body systems. Asthma is localized to the respiratory system and eczema is localized to the dermis . After the chemical mediators of the acute response subside, late-phase responses can often occur. This is due to the migration of other leukocytes such as neutrophils , lymphocytes , eosinophils , and macrophages to

5184-441: The initial site. The reaction is usually seen 2–24 hours after the original reaction. Cytokines from mast cells may play a role in the persistence of long-term effects. Late-phase responses seen in asthma are slightly different from those seen in other allergic responses, although they are still caused by release of mediators from eosinophils and are still dependent on activity of T H 2 cells. Although allergic contact dermatitis

5265-415: The most common food allergy in adults or children. Severe or life-threatening reactions may be triggered by other allergens and are more common when combined with asthma. Rates of allergies differ between adults and children. Children can sometimes outgrow peanut allergies. Egg allergies affect one to two percent of children but are outgrown by about two-thirds of children by the age of 5. The sensitivity

5346-493: The population fraction that will have an immune system response. Approximately 25% of the population will have a strong allergic response to urushiol. In general, approximately 80–90% of adults will develop a rash if they are exposed to 0.0050 mg (7.7 × 10  gr) of purified urushiol, but some people are so sensitive that it takes only a molecular trace on the skin to initiate an allergic reaction. Allergic diseases are strongly familial ; identical twins are likely to have

5427-639: The preparation of a variety of foods. They are commonly used to grate vegetables , cheese and lemon or orange peel (to create zest ), spices , such as ginger and nutmeg , and can also be used to grate other soft foods. They are commonly used in the preparation of toasted cheese , Welsh rarebit , egg salad , and dishes which contain cheese sauce such as macaroni and cheese , cauliflower cheese . In Slavic cuisine , graters are commonly used to grate potatoes for preparation of dishes, including draniki , bramborak or potato babka . In tropical countries graters are also used to grate coconut meat. In

5508-479: The same allergic diseases about 70% of the time; the same allergy occurs about 40% of the time in non-identical twins . Allergic parents are more likely to have allergic children and those children's allergies are likely to be more severe than those in children of non-allergic parents. Some allergies, however, are not consistent along genealogies ; parents who are allergic to peanuts may have children who are allergic to ragweed . The likelihood of developing allergies

5589-408: The series of tiny punctures or pricks made into the patient's skin. Tiny amounts of suspected allergens and/or their extracts ( e.g. , pollen, grass, mite proteins, peanut extract) are introduced to sites on the skin marked with pen or dye (the ink/dye should be carefully selected, lest it cause an allergic response itself). A negative and positive control are also included for comparison (eg, negative

5670-470: The sixth century AD, nutmeg use spread to India, then further west to Constantinople . By the 13th century, Arab traders had pinpointed the origin of nutmeg to the Banda Islands, but kept this location a secret from European traders. The Banda Islands became the scene of the earliest European ventures in Asia, to get a grip on the spice trade. In August 1511, Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca , which at

5751-503: The sixth to eighth year, and sexual reproduction bears inconsistent yields, grafting is the preferred method of propagation. Epicotyl grafting (a variation of cleft grafting using seedlings), approach grafting , and patch budding have proved successful, with epicotyl grafting being the most widely adopted standard. Air layering is an alternative though not preferred method because of its low (35–40%) success rate. The first harvest of nutmeg trees takes place 7–9 years after planting, and

5832-537: The skin and are not parasitic. A wide variety of foods can cause allergic reactions, but 90% of allergic responses to foods are caused by cow's milk, soy , eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts , fish, and shellfish. Other food allergies, affecting less than 1 person per 10,000 population, may be considered "rare". The most common food allergy in the US population is a sensitivity to crustacea . Although peanut allergies are notorious for their severity, peanut allergies are not

5913-435: The skin to a full-blown hive (called "wheal and flare") in more sensitive patients similar to a mosquito bite . Interpretation of the results of the skin prick test is normally done by allergists on a scale of severity, with +/− meaning borderline reactivity, and 4+ being a large reaction. Increasingly, allergists are measuring and recording the diameter of the wheal and flare reaction. Interpretation by well-trained allergists

5994-418: The spice powder, not crack a nutmeg, and this may not have been widely known by some purchasers of the product. In 2019, global production of nutmeg was 142,000 tonnes, led by Indonesia , Guatemala , and India , having 38,000 to 43,000 tonnes each and a combined 85% of the world total. Although used as a folk treatment for some ailments, nutmeg has no proven medicinal value. Ingested in small amounts as

6075-468: The time was the hub of Asian trade, on behalf of the king of Portugal . In November of the same year, after having secured Malacca and learning of Banda's location, Albuquerque sent an expedition of three ships led by his friend António de Abreu to find it. Malay pilots guided them via Java , the Lesser Sundas , and Ambon to the Banda Islands, arriving in early 1512. The first Europeans to reach

6156-545: The traditional meatloaf . Nutmeg is a common spice for pumpkin pie and in recipes for other winter squashes , such as baked acorn squash . In the Caribbean, nutmeg is often used in drinks, such as the Bushwacker , Painkiller , and Barbados rum punch. Typically, it is a sprinkle on top of the drink. The pericarp (fruit covering) is used to make jam, or is finely sliced, cooked with sugar, and crystallised to make

6237-548: The trees planted in urban areas were predominantly male to prevent litter from seeds and fruits, but the high ratio of male trees causes high pollen counts, a phenomenon that horticulturist Tom Ogren has called " botanical sexism ". Alterations in exposure to microorganisms is another plausible explanation, at present, for the increase in atopic allergy . Endotoxin exposure reduces release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α , IFNγ , interleukin-10 , and interleukin-12 from white blood cells ( leukocytes ) that circulate in

6318-400: The trees reach full production after 20 years. Nutmeg and mace have similar sensory qualities, with nutmeg having a slightly sweeter and mace a more delicate flavour. Mace is often preferred in light dishes for the bright orange, saffron -like hue it imparts. Nutmeg is used for flavouring many dishes. Whole nutmeg can also be ground at home using a grater specifically designed for nutmeg or

6399-461: The usage of nutmeg from the Indonesians through ancient trade routes. Nutmeg trees are dioecious plants (individual plants are either male or female), which are propagated sexually from seeds and asexually from cuttings or grafting . Sexual propagation yields 50% male seedlings, which are unproductive. Because no reliable method has been found for determining plant sex before flowering in

6480-413: Was first used by Clemens von Pirquet in 1906. Many allergens such as dust or pollen are airborne particles. In these cases, symptoms arise in areas in contact with air, such as the eyes, nose, and lungs. For instance, allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, causes irritation of the nose, sneezing, itching, and redness of the eyes. Inhaled allergens can also lead to increased production of mucus in

6561-530: Was once considered an abortifacient , but may be safe during pregnancy if used only in flavoring amounts. If consumed in large amounts, nutmeg could cause premature labor and miscarriage. Nutmeg may also interact with pain relievers such as pethidine , so avoiding it during pregnancy is recommended. The scent of nutmeg may attract pets, but it can be poisonous if consumed in excess. Allergic reaction Allergies , also known as allergic diseases , are various conditions caused by hypersensitivity of

#269730