Why do we get allergies?

As anyone with an allergy can tell you, they can have a pretty hefty impact on our day, and these instances seem more common than ever.

In fact, Australia and New Zealand have among the highest prevalence of allergic disorders in the developed world, according to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. From their data, it is estimated that almost 20 per cent of Australians suffer from allergies; food or otherwise. And by 2050, that number is expected to increase by 70 per cent.

So why is it so widespread and how do we treat them?

Why they occur

Allergies occur when a person’s immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are usually harmless to others. These substances are known as allergens, and are generally found in dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, ticks, moulds, foods and some medicines.

People who are sensitive to allergies are said to be atopic—the tendency to develop allergic diseases. It is widely believed that to develop atopy there needs to be some exposure to allergens from young ages, but it is also contested that it is genetic or inherited.

People with atopy can develop what is known as the allergic triad, whereby they have all three conditions of eczema, hayfever and allergies present.

Prehabilitation and management

The concept of prehabilitation is commonly used when discussing sports, as something an athlete does to ‘prevent’ their risk of injury—such as prolonged stretching, warm-up or strengthening certain areas.

This concept of ‘prehabilitation’ can also be applied to the treatment of allergies, as there are a number of  ‘prevention’ techniques that can be used in these circumstances.

Management of symptoms also includes de-stressing, as research from the University of Mississippi has shown there is a direct link between increased cortisol levels and the increase of allergy sensitivities and reactions.

Antihistamines

Nasal sprays and antihistamines are the most common way people combat the sniffles. 

Because allergies make the body’s immunity overactive, the concept of inhibiting histamines is the most common way to treat them.

Histamine is a substance used by the body’s immune system when it believes it is under the threat of infection. It usually has an effect on blood vessels, causing them to swell and expand—otherwise known as inflammation. Histamine is often useful in the wider operation of the body, but with allergic reactions, too much is produced and antihistamines are used to manage this.

Resources

National Allergy Council

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia​​

National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) and National Allergy Council collaboration