Krista Ress, head of the allergy-immunology center at the Ida-Tallinna Central Hospital, has recently voiced concerns over popular dietary trends that are perceived as healthy but could potentially create new health issues for individuals. While the overall number of allergy sufferers in Estonia has not seen a dramatic increase in recent years, Ress attributes this stability to improved healthcare awareness and better treatment options. She believes that the population may have reached a certain plateau in the prevalence of new allergy cases.

Ress emphasizes that many of the allergic reactions that individuals experience are often misattributed to allergens when, in fact, they may be reactions to mechanical irritants, especially for those with pre-existing chronic respiratory conditions. For example, the springtime street dust can trigger severe symptoms, but it is not an allergen acting as the culprit; rather, it is a mechanical irritation affecting sensitive mucous membranes, heightened by prior inflammatory conditions.

The message conveyed by Ress highlights the importance of approaching new dietary trends with caution, suggesting that while people may strive for healthier lifestyles, they should remain vigilant about how their dietary changes impact their overall health, particularly regarding potential allergic reactions and intolerances that may arise from seemingly innocuous foods.