Allergies, Volume 5, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 4 articles

Background/Objectives: This study assessed teacher self-efficacy in school-based asthma management in two southern states in the United States. Current literature focuses primarily on supporting school-based asthma management, but few studies have focused on teacher self-efficacy in the asthma management process. Methods: With data collected from a two-state survey of a randomly selected group of teachers in grades kindergarten to grade eight (n = 379), teachers’ demographic variables, general opinions about asthma management practices, and their self-perceptions on the Teacher Asthma Management and Information Seeking Scale, which assesses self-efficacy, were examined. Results: Teachers’ self-efficacy in managing asthma and seeking information was significantly higher among teachers who had completed in-service professional learning sessions and those who had access to community resources or links to community agencies. Additionally, teachers with personal experience of chronic illness, asthma, or allergies and those who had students with chronic illnesses in their classrooms reported higher self-efficacy scores. Conclusions: Findings suggest that providing professional learning about asthma for teachers, offering access to asthma action plans and community resources, and increasing awareness of chronic conditions and training for handling medical emergencies can enhance teachers’ self-efficacy and improve outcomes for students with chronic illnesses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Toxocara spp. infection has been associated with severe asthma and allergic manifestations due to the activation of eosinophils by the release of Th2 cell cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Toxocara spp. infection and eosinophil levels in severe asthmatic patients. Methods: The socio-demographic, peripheral blood eosinophils counting total IgE, sIgE to aeroallergens and FEV1 results were acquired from the Program of Asthma and Rhinitis Control (ProAR) at the Salvador–Brazil databank; IgG anti-Toxocara spp. levels were measured in 176 severely asthmatic patients by indirect ELISA. Results: The Toxocara spp. seroprevalence was 50.6%. Eosinophilia was present in 54% of the population. The correlation between IgG anti-Toxocara spp. levels and eosinophils levels was positive. Eosinophilic individuals with SPT, sIgE for D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and B. tropicalis showed positive results; IgE ≥ 160 UI/dL and uncontrolled asthma presented more positive results for IgG anti-Toxocara spp. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that eosinophil levels are influenced by the presence of IgG antibodies against Toxocara spp. Additionally, helminth infection may modulate immunological responses in allergies and uncontrolled asthma, which could help explain the exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Full article

Allergic diseases, particularly respiratory allergies like asthma and allergic rhinitis, are a growing public health concern influenced by environmental factors such as climate change and air pollution. The exposome framework enables a comprehensive assessment of how lifelong environmental exposures shape immune responses and allergic sensitization. Peru’s diverse ecosystems and climates provide a unique setting to investigate regional variations in allergic sensitization. This study characterized these patterns in five Peruvian regions with distinct climatic, urbanization, and socioeconomic characteristics. A total of 268 individuals from Lima, Piura, Tarapoto, Arequipa, and Tacna were analysed for allergen-specific IgE responses using a multiplex IgE detection system. The results revealed significant geographical differences in sensitization frequencies and serodominance profiles, based on descriptive statistics and supported by Chi-square comparative analysis. House dust mites were predominant in humid regions, while Arequipa exhibited higher sensitization to cat allergens. In Tacna, olive pollen showed notable prevalence alongside house dust mites. Tarapoto’s high humidity correlated with increased fungal and cockroach allergen sensitization. Notably, some allergens traditionally considered minor, such as Der p 5 and Der p 21, reached sensitization prevalences close to or exceeding 50% in certain regions. These findings provide the most detailed molecular characterization of allergic sensitization in Peru to date, highlighting the importance of region-specific allergy management strategies. Understanding environmental influences on allergic diseases can support more effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive approaches tailored to diverse geographical contexts. Full article

Affecting around 30–40% of the population worldwide, allergic disorders including asthma, rhinitis, eczema, and food allergies, are relatively common. Environmental factors, such as air pollution and climate change, which aggravate allergic reactions, contribute to the growth of these diseases. Although conventional treatments such as antihistamines and immunotherapy remain the standard for symptom management, growing interest in natural remedies highlights the potential value of medicinal plants as complementary therapies. Commonly present in plants, vitamins and antioxidants have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions that can control immune responses, lower oxidative stress, and thus reduce inflammation, which is the main element in allergic reactions. By focusing on the fundamental causes of inflammation and immunological dysregulation, phytochemicals have shown encouraging effects in reducing allergic symptoms. This review investigates the role of plant flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamins in lowering allergic symptoms and inflammation, and suggests their potential in allergy management. It also aims to provide a short review of various plant species that are used in folk medicine for allergy treatment. The inclusion of plant-based compounds in allergy therapy could provide more complete and environmentally friendly remedies to enhance patients’ quality of life. Full article