title: Anaphylactic reaction to camomile tea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A type-IV-allergic reaction to German camomile (Matricaria chamomilla) in a form of allergic contact dermatitis is not unusual. However, only a few cases of anaphylactic reaction to camomile have been described in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a 38-year-old Caucasian man who developed an episode of severe anaphylaxis with generalized urticaria, angioedema and severe dyspnoea one hour after consuming camomile tea. Laboratory examination demonstrated a total serum IgE of 123 kU/l with specific IgE against camomile (4.94 kU/l, class 3). Skin prick test and labial provocation test with camomile showed a strong positive reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our case confirms the presence of a type-I allergy to orally ingested camomile and indicates that the incidence and risk may be underestimated. Additional response to mugwort and pollen-derived food allergens should be evaluated in patients sensitised to camomile due to a higher incidence of allergic cross-reactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University, Munich, Germany. christian.andres@lrz.tum.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andres
authors.forename: Wen Chieh
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ollert
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mempel
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Darsow
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ring
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D031168:Matricaria / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E