ALLERGY Net Olive allergy.

Rhinitis, in conjunction with conjunctivitis and asthma, all caused by olive pollen allergy, is a well-known disease in the Mediterranean area. The author reports a case of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy to olive ingestion. The patient was a 19-year-old woman, who had a 4 years long history of episodes of facial, neck, and hands angioedema, and intense palms itch. In one of the episodes the angioedema affected the tongue too, and the itch was generalized. The symptoms abated in 24 hours. On each occasion the patient had ingested olives 15-30 mm beforehand. Prick-by-prick tests with three different olive brands, gave a positive result (9 x 7 mm.). Five control subjects showed a negative skin test. A prick test with Olea europaea was negative. The IgE antibody levels specific to olive was 1.7 kU/I, and 0.73 kU/I to O. europaea. The number of foods described as etiologic agents in allergy, is very high, and evergrowing. Clinical symptoms, as well as the positive skin test, and the detection of specific IgE, all point towards an IgE-mediated food allergy.