Polyethylene glycol (PEG Allergy) as a cause of anaphylaxis
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for people who have concerns about PEG Allergies and who need to safeguard their health and that of their families. It is NOT intended for those who are anti-vaccine and as such is NOT intended to adopt a discussion on the merits of vaccines on this blog. It is also NOT intended as an invitation for a discussion of the lethality of COVID-19 or the need for civic action to limit the spread of the disease.
Adverse Reactions.
I wrote my concerns about the adverse effects of having the Covid Vaccine in a previous article, I have since read further medical concerns which I will publish along with all the fact-checking citations.
People who have had a severe PEG Allergy in the past are advised to talk to a health professional before taking the vaccine.
The link to my previous article is below:
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a cause of anaphylaxis
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) or macrogols are polyether compounds and are widely used as additives in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
PEGs are also used in everyday products such as toothpaste and shampoo as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture carriers, and they’ve been used as a laxative for decades. An increasing number of biopharmaceuticals include PEGylated compounds as well.
According to the MIT, PEGs are basically tiny, greasy spheres that are used in COVID vaccines to protect the active ingredient (mRNA) and help it penetrate cells. It is within cells that the mRNA can go to work priming the immune system.
PEGs have also been confirmed to cause allergic reactions in rare cases, but how rare is not known.
PEG-2000 is an ingredient used in both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. If the compound is found to be the cause of the six allergic reactions to date, it will help the CDC hone its guidance further by narrowing the list of those that should not receive the vaccine.
Instead, CDC guidelines recommend not giving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine. For people who have had a severe reaction to another vaccine or injectable medication, the risks and benefits of vaccination should be carefully weighed, CDC says.
Patients with undiagnosed PEG allergy often have a history of immediate onset-unexplained anaphylaxis or anaphylaxis to multiple classes of drugs or unexplained anaphylaxis. Such individuals should not be vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, except on the expert advice of an allergy specialist. The AstraZeneca vaccine can be used as an alternative (unless otherwise contraindicated), particularly if they previously tolerated an injected influenza vaccine. The vaccine should be administered in a setting with full resuscitation facilities (e.g. a hospital), and a 30-minute observation period is recommended.
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/covid-19-advice/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-and-allergies/
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis (pronounced ana-fil-ax-is) is a severe and often sudden allergic reaction. It can occur when someone with allergies is exposed to something, they are allergic (known as an allergen). Reactions usually begin within minutes and rapidly progress but can occur up to 2-3 hours later.
What are the causes of anaphylaxis?
The common causes of anaphylaxis include foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, sesame seeds, and kiwi fruit, although many other foods have also been known to trigger anaphylaxis. Some people can react to tiny amounts of food, although this rarely causes a very severe reaction. Non-food causes include wasp or bee stings, natural latex (rubber), and certain drugs such as penicillin. In some people exercise can trigger a severe reaction – either on its own or in combination with other factors such as food or drugs (for example, aspirin).
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/covid-19-advice/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-and-allergies/
Polyethylene glycol side effects:
If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression.
- irritation of the rectum
- a sleep disorder
- excessive thirst
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach cramps
- abdominal bloating
- a feeling of general discomfort called malaise
- intense abdominal pain
- upper abdominal pain
INFREQUENT side effects
If experienced, these tend to have a Severe expression
- low amount of magnesium in the blood
- low amount of phosphate in the blood
- low amount of calcium in the blood
- a high amount of calcium in the blood
- an increased sodium level in the blood
- low amount of sodium in the blood
- acidosis, a high level of acid in the blood
- high levels of potassium in the blood
- low amount of potassium in the blood
- hives (My daughter had hives after her first vaccine and contrast dye)
- a high amount of uric acid in the blood
If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression
- indigestion
- headache
- runny nose
RARE side effects
If experienced, these tend to have a Severe expression
- high blood pressure
- atrial fibrillation
- abnormal heart rhythm
- a feeling of throat tightness
- rapid onset of fluid in the lungs
- a puncture, tear, or hole in the esophagus
- a type of stomach irritation called gastritis
- insufficient blood supply to the colon
- bleeding from the stomach, esophagus, or duodenum
- decreased kidney function
- fainting
- seizures
- muscle tremors
- a skin rash
- fluid retention in the legs, feet, arms, or hands
- puffy face from water retention
- swelling of the tongue
- trouble breathing
- a significant type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis
- a type of allergic reaction called angioedema
- ulceration of the colon
- lip swelling
- fast heartbeat
- asystole, stopping the heart
If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression
- skin inflammation
- dizziness
- heart throbbing or pounding
In the European anaphylaxis registry currently 7935 registered anaphylactic cases only three were induced by macrogol. These findings may imply that polyethylene glycol hypersensitivity is potentially life-threatening but probably underdiagnosed as many drugs and food items contain macrogol. Handling patients with macrogol hypersensitivity can be challenging because of the extensive allergology workup, the necessity of the physician’s expertise, and the limited avoidance options because many drugs, including those used for the treatment of allergic reactions such as antihistamines, may contain macrogol as an additive. Therefore, specific product labeling and awareness are required. Patients should be educated about drugs that may contain PEGs, but also other products like lubricants or ultrasound gels. An increased patient and physician awareness to the allergic potential of macrogol must be discussed before taking the Covid Vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns:
If you have had a severe allergic reaction—also known as anaphylaxis—to any ingredient in the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, you should not get vaccinated.*
*If you have had a severe allergic reaction to other vaccines or injectable therapies, ask your doctor if you should get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Your doctor will help you decide if it is safe for you to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
PEG-2000 is an ingredient used in both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. If the compound is found to be the cause of the six allergic reactions to date, it will help the CDC hone its guidance further by narrowing the list of those that should not receive the vaccine. https://snacksafely.com/2020/12/what-we-know-about-peg-suspected-as-the-cause-of-reactions-to-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine/
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-17118/polyethylene-glycol-3350-oral/details/list-sideeffects
https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-016-0172-7
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you have doubts speak to your local healthcare provider, or a health professional before taking the vaccine.
From personal experience, my daughter’s GP failed to mention that the reaction she had from an MRI contrast dye could well have been an anaphylaxis allergy, and was not advised about having her second vaccine. This is very worrying considering the same GP practice prescribed her Gaviscon which later transpired after we went to A&E that my daughter did not have gastric problems but was in fact diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
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