Allergies and Allergic Reactions

Healthy humans have two types of immune systems that protect the body from invading pathogens that cause diseases. The Innate Immunity is the first barrier of protection. It is similar to a force field. Its primary purpose is to destroy any pathogen that tries to enter the epidermis cells (the skin cells) and the mucosa (mucus secreting cells found in the GI tract, respiratory tract, urogenital tract and eyes. If the first defense does not work, the adaptive immunity steps in to eradicate the invading microbe. Yet, sometimes the body reacts to harmless agents as if they were pathogens. Every day, more adults develop allergies to things in their environment. Exposure to such things as pollen, grass, mold and pet dander1 can lead to mild or harmful reactions. Other allergens can cause tingling in the throat and mouth, and in many cases severe reaction that lead to death. 2 In the last couple of decades, 75 to 100 percent of asthma and 150 percent atopy have reported.4 17.7 million adults and 7.1 million were diagnosed with allergies and hay fever.5 There are no known reasons why people developed hypersensitivity to certain agents, yet, many adults are developing allergies later in life. Statistically, children are the ones who develop allergies the most. About 3.9 percent of children have allergies, whereas 2% of adults have it. 6 Then, why are adults becoming more and more susceptible to this affliction? One possible reason is foods and every day household products are making people sick. Could it be that constant exposure to known hypoallergenic agents are causing allergic reactions to develop in adults who have never displayed any allergic reactions in their lifetime?

To understand why the sudden affliction of allergies is occu...

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...alian adults: A multi-centre study. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2009;150(3):271-7.

4 . Isolauri E, Huurre A, Salminen S, Impivaara O. The allergy epidemic extends beyond the past few decades. Clin Exp Allergy. 2004 07;34(7):1007-10.

5. CDC [Internet]. Allergies and Hay Fever. Atlanta, Georgia: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.htm [Date accessed 2011, November 18]

6. CDC [Internet]. "Food Allergies - DASH/HealthyYouth." Atlanta, Georgia: : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.. 26 Apr. 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/foodallergies [Date accessed 2011, November 18]

7. Laurière M, Pecquet C, Bouchez-Mahiout I, Snégaroff J, Bayrou O, Raison-Peyron N, et al. Hydrolysed wheat proteins present in cosmetics can induce immediate hypersensitivities. Contact Dermatitis. 2006 05;54(5):283-9.