Many people have experienced a lifetime of allergies. Whether it is allergies to food, pollen, pet dander, medicine, or even substances like latex, allergies have become a “normal” part of everyday life, often accepted for what they are without any debate.
On some occasions, we look to avoid certain foods, head to the pharmacy for some temporary relief, or attempt to keep the home as clean as possible, all in an effort to mitigate our body’s allergic responses. While these methods have been effective in the past, they’re not the long-term “solution” that so many people are searching for.
As a society, allergies are viewed as normal and natural, accepted without much debate or questioning. But do we really understand what allergies are? Are we certain that the approaches we’ve relied on in the past have been truly effective?
Let’s unpack some of the simple science behind allergies, what they are, and how they interact with our own body and immune system.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies are your body’s natural response to external elements such as dust, dander, or other substances. Your body maintains what is known as an immune system, a unique framework that is exclusive to you, where your body attempts to fend off allergens of all kinds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of people across the world suffer from allergies of all kinds, including some that are minor nuisances, but in other cases, serious and unpleasant responses from the body. In fact, in 2021, 25.7% of adults in the United States had a seasonal allergy, 7.3% had eczema, and 6.2% had a food allergy.
Think of your body’s reaction to allergens like dust and pollen as a natural defense system. When your body experiences substances that you are allergic to, your body’s immune system jumps in to defend the entire body. This can include a simple runny nose, or something more serious like a rash, or even anaphylaxis.
Your body reacts to a wide range of different allergies, producing a number of different responses as a natural defense mechanism.
More About Your Body’s Immune System
The immune system is an intricate network of cells within the body that react in specific ways to different types of outside elements. When you become sick, are exposed to something you are allergic to, or a virus invades the body, your body’s immune system begins the process of fighting back.
Everyone has different immune responses to the many invaders that pose a risk to the body. We are born with many innate immune responses, while others are known as adaptive immune responses. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, adaptive immunity means that the immune system itself can be developed over time, learning about foreign influences and improving how it responds.
It’s a learned reaction to different types of allergens, slowly improving and growing to be more efficient and effective.
What Can You Be Allergic To?
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