Tel Aviv, Aug. 11 -- Israeli scientists have discovered that blocking a specific protein may stop a painful food allergy-related disease before it starts. The finding, Tel Aviv University announced on Monday, could lead to targeted treatments for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) that spare patients from severe symptoms and restrictive diets.

The disease - an inflammation of the oesophagus - affects an estimated 1 in 2,500 individuals. Flare-ups are caused by an abnormal allergic reaction to certain foods or environmental triggers that lead to inflammation and tissue changes in the oesophagus. Left untreated, scarring narrows the width of the oesophagus, making it difficult and painful to swallow food. In extreme cases, the oesophagus can e...