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Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut Scientific Information
Type: Whole Allergen
Display Name: Horse chestnut
Allergen code: t203
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Latin Name: Aesculus hippocastanum
Other Names: Horse chestnut tree, Common horse chestnut

Clinical Relevance

IgE-mediated reactions

Anecdotal evidence suggests that asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are possible following exposure to pollen from this tree; however, few specific studies have been reported to date.

Sensitisation to Horse chestnut tree pollen is common where the tree is growing. In an Austrian study, IgE antibodies to Horse chestnut pollen were found in 12.6% of urban children, compared to 1.9% of control subjects recruited from a rural area. Horse chestnut-specific IgE levels were highest in highly atopic pollen-allergic children, in particular those also sensitised to the Plane tree.

Other reactions

Contact dermatitis to the extract of Horse chestnut has been reported.

References
  1. Popp W, Horak F, Jager S, Reiser K, Wagner C, Zwick H. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) pollen: a frequent cause of allergic sensitization in urban children.Allergy 1992;47(4 Pt 2):380-3
  2. Jaspersen-Schib R, Theus L, Guirguis-Oeschger M, Gossweiler B, Meier-Abt PJ. Serious plant poisonings in Switzerland 1966-1994. Case analysis from the Swiss Toxicology Information Center. [German] Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1996;126(25):1085-98
  3. Comaish JS, Kersey PJ. Contact dermatitis to extract of horse chestnut (esculin).Contact Dermatitis 1980;6(2):150-1
  4. Yman L. Botanical relations and immuno-logical cross-reactions in pollen allergy. 2nd ed. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB. Uppsala. Sweden. 1982: ISBN 91-970475-09