Have We Become Too Clean?

It seems the more advanced our society becomes and the cleaner we get, the more prevalent food and other allergies become.
The occurrences of common allergies are much higher in more developed countries than in their lesser developed counter parts. And the numbers are increasing as industrialization spreads through out the world.

According to the hygiene hypothesis, the modern methods of cleaning and sanitizing get rid of too many germs. The body’s natural immune system doesn’t have enough to do.

In children, it doesn’t develop the way it should. And since allergies are an incorrect response of the immune system, childhood and adult allergies have become more prevalent.

Studies also show that common allergic diseases like hay fever, eczema and food allergies are found less often in children from large families.
Apparently being exposed to infectious agents (germs) by brothers and sisters is a good thing. It helps the immune system learn what it’s supposed to protect our bodies from.

Antibiotic usage during a baby’s first year and the growing use of antibacterial cleaning products has also been linked to an increase in asthma and other allergies.

The hygiene hypothesis explains that the antibacterial cleaning products and antibiotic drugs limit our immune system’s exposure to infectious diseases, parasites and other bacteria.
This limits the immune systems development. Because of the lack of dirt and germs, the immune system doesn’t learn what it’s supposed to be protecting the body from and goes after the wrong things. …Read more >>

The Coming Of Spring

Spring is just around the corner. And with it comes all the lovely pollen. Lots of people have no problem with spring. They welcome it with open arms.

But for thousands of people, spring means runny noses, itchy eyes and congested breathing. These people suffer from an allergy. Probably the most common allergy, affecting the most people is the allergy to pollen.
Spring brings new growth and with this new growth, plants have the urge to produce fruit or seeds.

Basically, pollen is created by the male plant parts and taken to the female plant parts. While some plants depend on insects to do their pollinating, many use the wind.
The pollen grains are carried by the wind to other plants to keep the species alive and flourishing.

Most people are just annoyed by the collection of pollen on their automobiles, porch, patio and everything else that sits around outside. But for the people allergic to pollen, their problems are more than annoying.

The most common symptoms of an allergy to pollen can be seen every where. Runny noses, itchy watery eyes, sneezing and coughing are yearly evidence that spring is in the air.

The pollen irritates the areas that come into contact with air. That means eyes, nose, throat and lungs. As the pollen blows on the wind, it causes problems that turn the joy and beauty of spring into anything from a nuisance to a nightmare for the thousands that suffer from this allergy. …Read more >>

Types Of Allergies

It’s estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from some type of allergy. That’s 1 out of 4. It’s the 5th highest chronic disease in America and the 3rd most common chronic disease in children.

Many people suffer from more than one allergy type.

Pollen from trees, grass and weeds are in the indoor/outdoor allergy category. Other common indoor/outdoor allergy triggers are mold spores, dust mite and cockroach allergen and cat, dog and rodent dander.

About 75% of people with allergies have indoor/outdoor allergies. The most common pet allergy is cat dander.

Skin allergies are another common allergy. The most common causes of skin allergies are plants like poison oak, ivy and sumac.

Allergic reactions can also be caused by skin contact with latex, cockroach and dust mites and even some foods. Skin allergies are the main allergy for about 7% of allergy sufferers.

While we here a lot about food and drug allergies, they’re the primary allergy of only about 6% of allergy sufferers. Food allergies are more common in children.

Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish are responsible for 90% of all food allergies. Food allergies claim over 200 lives yearly. When it comes to common drug allergies, penicillin is the winner.

Almost 400 Americans die every year from allergies to penicillin.

Latex and insect allergies both claim around 4% of allergy sufferers. Latex allergies result in 10 deaths a year and nearly 100 deaths a year are the result of insect allergies. …Read more >>

The Most Common Food Allergies

Milk : Being allergic to cow’s milk isn’t the same as being lactose intolerant.

Eggs :

You can be allergic to either the whites of the yolk. This type of food allergy is more prevalent in children, but does affect some adults.

Peanut : Most people, adults and children with food allergies, are allergic to peanuts too.

Tree nut : More children have nut allergies than adults. The symptoms of nut and peanut allergies are the same, but being allergic to one doesn’t necessarily mean you’re allergic to the other.

Seafood : This is more common in, but not limited, to children. The fish allergens can be passed through the air by people eating or cooking fish near you.

Shellfish : Similar to seafood allergies. But having one doesn’t mean being allergic to the other.

Soy : People allergic to soy need to be especially careful when eating Asian foods or using Asian sauces.

Wheat : This is most commonly a food allergy, but can also be a respiratory contact allergy.

In the United States these are referred to as “the big eight”. Over 90% of U.S. food allergies consist of these foods.

Allergens differ in other countries, but these 8 make the top 10 in many places through out the world.

Food allergies may be based on contact. In East Asia where rice makes up a large part of the diet, rice allergies are more common, as are celery allergies in Central Europe. …Read more >>