Do you experience severe sneezing, runny nose, hives, and shortness of breath when the weather changes, when dust is blowing, or when you eat certain foods? Allergy or hypersensitivity is a major health problem that affects most people of all ages today. In fact, an allergy is not a disease, but a condition in which our body’s immune system overreacts to some common external factors. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind this:
Overreaction of the immune system and histamine: Our immune system mistakenly considers some substances that are not harmful to the body (for example, dust or pollen) as a deadly enemy. With this, the body produces antibodies called IgE (Immunoglobulin E) in large quantities against these substances. When these enter and act on the cells, the cells release a chemical called histamine. This histamine is what causes a runny nose, watery eyes, itching, and sneezing.
Environmental Allergens: Some natural factors found in the air cause allergies in most people. The most important of these are invisible dust mites found in house dust and old books, mold, pollen from plants, and pet dander. When these are inhaled, allergies quickly develop in the airways.
Food Allergens: When the body cannot digest the proteins in some of the foods we eat, the immune system turns against them. This is why some people suddenly experience swelling of the mouth, itching, diarrhea, and shortness of breath when they eat foods such as eggs, milk, wheat, gluten, peanuts, cashews, soy, shrimp, crab, and shellfish.
Chemicals, drugs and artificial colors: When the skin comes into contact with the harmful chemicals contained in some of the toilet soaps, perfumes, hair dyes and detergents we use, itchy rashes called ‘Contact Dermatitis’ occur. Along with this, artificial colors added to foods, preservatives and some antibiotic drugs like penicillin can also cause severe allergies.
Genetics and low immunity (Genetics & Atopy): Hereditary factors play a major role in allergies. If any of the parents has asthma, allergic rhinitis or eczema (skin disease), the risk of their children developing allergies is 50% to 80%. This is scientifically called atopy. The risk of allergies is higher in those who are not breastfed properly during childhood and those with low immunity.
