Alterations in Allergies Throughout Life: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Shift

Alterations in Allergies Throughout Life: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Shift

Allergies: An Unwanted Defense Mechanism

If your nose is constantly stuffed up during certain seasons, or you break out in hives after eating a specific food, you're not alone. Over one in five children have seasonal allergies, and many more adults experience them too [1]. In this deep dive, we delve into the science behind allergies, the factors influencing them, and potential treatments.

Allergies: An Unwanted Reaction

Allergies occur when your immune system, designed to protect you from threats, goes overboard. It's an outsized reaction to a foreign but typically harmless substance. Your immune system generates antibodies that bind to the allergen, triggering an immune response. One class of such antibodies, called immunoglobulin E (IgE), specializes in activating cells that release chemicals leading to itching, swelling, and other symptoms [2].

Take, for instance, pollen: Allergies ensue when your immune system perceives pollen as a threat and generates IgE against it. As a result, you become allergic to pollen. The next time your body encounters the allergen, IgE recognizes it as a threat, and a cavalcade of immune signals is triggered, causing symptoms such as sneezing or worse.

The Myriad Causes of Allergies

It's a complex dance caused by the interplay of genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors. On one side, heredity plays a role: if one or both parents have allergies, their children are more likely to do so as well [3]. Environmental factors also play a part; exposure to allergens, air pollution, and changes in gut health can influence whether you develop allergies [3].

For instance, urban children are more prone to allergies due to differences in gut microbiome development, including the presence of specific T cells recognizing allergens [2]. Additionally, ethnic and demographic differences impact allergy prevalence; certain populations are more liable to suffer food allergies compared to others [4].

Growing Out of Allergies: A Mystery Unraveling

Many children grow out of their allergies. Research on the topic is growing, but the reasons behind this phenomenon are still a subject of debate. In simple terms, your body may deem the allergen less dangerous over time.

Dr. Dilawar Khokhar, a pediatric allergies and immunology specialist at UW Medicine, explains that children often outgrow milk or egg allergies, but it can take years. On the contrary, many children do not outgrow peanut or tree nut allergies [1].

Researchers connect this to the body producing fewer IgE antibodies in relation to certain allergies. A few additional changes in the immune system, such as a decrease in IgE, may be at play if allergies are less severe at the outset [1]. However, research is required to understand why IgE starts to reduce for certain allergies in the first place.

Age and maturation play a role as well. Some children outgrow allergies as their immune system matures [3]. A balanced diet and continued exposure to allergens may help in managing allergies, though the direct impact on outgrowing allergies is less clear.

Allergies in Adults: A New Dawn

Adults occasionally develop allergies later in life, too. Similar to children, the allergen and the affected individual's immune system play key roles.

For example, many people acquired pets during the pandemic and developed new pet dander allergies due to these new exposures [1]. Additionally, drug allergies are more prevalent in adults because they tend to take more medications than children [1].

Adults can also develop allergies seemingly out of the blue, likely due to an interaction between genetics and environmental factors. Pregnancy or relocating to a new environment with different allergens can trigger an immune response that leads to new allergies.

Navigating Today's Allergy Treatments

Avoidance is a good starting point: avoid foods you might be allergic to, and ensure your environment is clear of allergens. Over-the-counter antihistamines can help treat mild allergic reactions, as can nasal steroids. If you have a severe reaction, seek immediate medical attention [1].

EpiPens can protect against life-threatening allergic reactions, while a doctor can prescribe you a prescription for one if deemed necessary. Some people may also need other prescription medications, like leukotriene modifiers.

If you notice hives or digestive issues after eating a certain food, consider booking an appointment with an allergist or an immunologist. Allergists can determine the best diagnostic tests and treatment plan based on your symptoms.

Newer immunotherapies, called allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy, expose you to allergens repeatedly to induce tolerance. Talk to an allergist about the options available to you.

The takeaway? Allergies are an increasingly prevalent concern, but there are numerous ways to manage them with more treatments on the horizon. Open a dialogue with an allergist to explore the options that are right for you.

Insights:

• Genetics: Heritability plays a role in the development of allergies; if one or both parents have allergies, their offspring are more likely to develop them as well.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to allergens, air pollution, and alterations in gut health can influence the development of allergies.
• Rural vs. Urban Setting: Urban children are more likely to develop allergies than their rural counterparts due to differences in gut microbiome development.
• Ethnic and Demographic Differences: Some populations, like Asian American children, are more prone to food allergies compared to others.

Sources:1. Dr. Dilawar Khokhar, specialist in pediatric allergies and immunology at UW Medicine.2. Dr. Jing Yi "Jenny" Sun, another pediatric allergy and immunology specialist at UW Medicine.3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).4. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).5. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

1. In the realm of health-and-wellness, allergies are an unwanted reaction that stems from an oversized immune response to typically harmless substances, such as pollen or specific foods.
2. Allergies can be influenced by a combination of genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors, with heredity playing a role if one or both parents have allergies.
3. Studies suggest that urban children are more susceptible to developing allergies due to differences in gut microbiome development and the presence of specific T cells recognizing allergens.
4. Mental health also plays a role in managing allergies, as the stress from chronic diseases or neurological disorders can exacerbate allergy symptoms.
5. Therapies-and-treatments for allergies include antihistamines, nasal steroids, and allergen immunotherapy, while research into other treatments, such as CBD, holds promise for managing symptoms.
6. Skin-care is crucial for allergy sufferers, as certain products or ingredients can trigger allergic reactions, requiring attention and proper nutrition to maintain a balanced immune system.

Read also: