Effect of Kombucha Intake on Dust Mite Skin Test Results

Independent anecdotal reports from patients have suggested decreased allergic reactions following daily ingestion of kombucha, a commercially available fermented tea. In order to explore this, we investigated the impact of kombucha on skin test reactivity to dust mites in allergic patients in a small pilot study. Three patients with sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) dust mite were identified. Each patient underwent skin prick testing by a standardized method with positive and negative controls to DP mite at baseline to confirm sensitization, and after one week of daily ingestion of 8 oz of kombucha. Wheal size at each time point was measured by the two longest perpendicular axes and reported as a mean diameter. Patients were asked to record rhinitis symptoms. Histamine (mean 8.3 mm) and saline (mean 0.6 mm) controls remained unchanged at both time points for each patient. After one week of kombucha ingestion, DP wheal size decreased in all three patients from a mean diameter of 9 mm to 5 mm (range 4.5-17.5 mm to 2-10 mm) or by 44%. The beverage was well tolerated, though all 3 patients noted a mild increase in skin pruritus. There was no change in rhinitis symptoms for any patient during daily kombucha ingestion. Histamine controls remained unchanged in each patient, implying that kombucha does not act as an antihistamine. The decrease in skin prick reactivity to DP mite suggests a possible mast cell stabilization role for kombucha, though this needs to be verified in a larger study and with other allergens.