In relation to the development of life-threatening immune reactions...

Substances that might induce an allergic reaction if applied to the skin or
if injected can be administered orally and this activity can suppress the
immune system's reaction to the substance if it is subsequently injected or
applied to the skin. This phenomenon is called 'oral tolerization', and it
has been investigated extensively. A review article from a respected
journal: https://www.nature.com/articles/nri1370.

Recent scientific reports (and our government) now recommend early
introduction of foods (peanut butter, for example) commonly associated with
life-threatening allergic reactions to the diet of
infants to allow them to become tolerant.
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/statement-fda-commissioner-scott-gottlieb-md-new-qualified-health-claim-advising-early-introduction


Perhaps beginning beekeepers should try to induce oral tolerization by
'eating' some bees or beestings? Is it worth a trial? Perhaps yes...

The whole subject of our immune system and its interactions with our
environment--the recognition of self from non-self is fascinating. I'm sure
many of you have heard of the hygiene hypothesis, which posits that the
prevalence of autoimmune disorders is lower in individuals whose immune
system gets exposed to more infections, more animal dander, more challenges
of various sorts, and that the rising incidence of autoimmune diseases such
as inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, etc., may be related to improved
environmental hygiene and well-meaning parents keeping kids away from
perceived sources of germs that our forebears lived in close contact with.
Chasing a chicken around the yard may be good for you in the long run! Here
is a link to a review article on this, also from Nature:
https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2017.111

However, it is clear that the immune system's checks and balances are
still very poorly understood. Why peanut butter, or eggs, or shellfish, or
tree nuts, or whatever would suddenly induce a reaction that could kill
you seems exceedingly unphysiologic and maladaptive. Just plain nuts!

My wife became allergic to raw stone fruit after pregnancy. No more
fresh peaches, plums, cherries, or apricots (or pluots or any of those
advanced hybrids). She can still eat almonds, however. She misses plums,
and I know (without her telling me)...it's my fault.

Jonathan Knisely
New Haven, CT

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