Participate in Research at CU Anschutz

The purpose of this study is to determine how the body's immune system interacts with nuts and other foods to cause allergic reaction. This study also plans to validate a test that is being developed to help predict reactions to peanuts.

Food allergies are characterized by recurrent symptoms such as wheezing, hives, swelling of the lips, and/or loss of blood pressure (anaphylaxis) upon exposure to a specific food. Food allergies are caused by an abnormal immune response to particular foods (allergens) tolerated by most individuals. In particular, individuals with peanut and nut allergies may have severe, life-threatening reactions to very small amounts of this substance. This study is designed for the researcher to learn more about the nature of the various components of the immune system in patients with these allergic conditions.

Main Procedures Involved: If you join the study, you will be asked about your medical history to learn more about prior allergic conditions and details of your symptoms. About three tablespoons of your blood will be taken by a standard blood draw through your vein (venipuncture) and the blood will be processed. This will provide material for us to to look at the different immune components your blood with various food allergies. We will evaluate how proteins in your blood respond to different food substances to cause allergic reactions. We will use a number of routine allergy/immunology laboratory tests and different techniques to inspect your blood.

Duration of Participation: Your participation will be one study visit that will take about 1 hour.