Activated charcoal, often used to block absorption of accidentally ingested poison, is no substitute for antihistamines or epinephrine in the treatment plan for severe allergic reactions to peanuts and other foods, warns The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), the world's largest nonprofit organization providing information and educational resources on food allergies.
FAAN is concerned that patients will misinterpret the findings of a new Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (JACI) study released today, exploring the use of activated charcoal as an additional treatment option in slowing or preventing life-threatening reactions to peanut proteins and potentially other food allergens. FAAN is also concerned that early news reports on the findings do not mention the practical concerns and the need for physician guidance -- all issues raised by the panel that introduced the study findings, including FAAN and Dr. Hugh Sampson of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
FAAN warns that activated charcoal will not stop a reaction that's already in progress. Nor will the liquid stop other symptoms, such as swelling, which may be going on in other parts of the body.
Activated charcoal is a drugstore staple that is often found in family medicine cabinets as an antidote to the accidental ingestion of some poisons. Not to be confused with charcoal briquettes used in a barbecue grill, activated charcoal is treated with oxygen to make it more porous to help it absorb poisons from the gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal also should not be confused with ipecac, a syrup used to induce vomiting.
While the study is positive news, FAAN noted that the research did not study the efficacies of the activated charcoal treatment on people having a reaction. Also, activated charcoal is available in capsules, but the study does not mention the effectiveness of capsules or other forms of the treatment.