Over half of all the people in the U.S. are allergic to at least one thing. If a child has one allergic parent, 1 child in 3 will also have allergies. If a child has two allergic parents, the odds of the child also having allergies rise to 70%. More people have allergies, on a percentage basis, than formerly. An allergic reaction is our immune system being triggered by pollens, foods or pets, etc., resulting in the reaction — sniffles, sneezing, headache, rashes or life-threatening anaphylaxis.
There is one hypothesis that we have just taken hygiene to extremes. We take too many showers and keep out houses and workplaces too clean; some people are almost obsessive about germs. The belief is that this effort to remove as many bacteria and other organisms from our bodies and homes has disrupted our immune systems. Our immune systems are naturally predisposed to cope with a wide variety of germs and become stronger from doing so. Preventing our immune systems from developing resistance to a wide variety of organisms weakens the immune system and makes it act abnormally.
Diagnosing an allergy can be difficult. It is a cooperative effort between the patient and the doctor. It usually begins with the patient listing those things that he/she knows trigger a reaction, but the doctor will follow-up with questioning. Testing will pinpoint a great many allergens, particularly common ones like pollen, pet dander or certain plants or trees. Identifying food allergies can be much more complex; often, the patient will be required to keep a daily food diary, noting any reactions. As dishes often contain a variety of foods, this can be a fairly complex task. Patients are often allergic to multiple things, not just one.
C. Steven Smith, MD is a board certified allergist and immunologist who has been researching and giving relief to allergy and asthma patients for over 30 years. He and his staff have the ability and experience to handle challenging cases and treat them. This Allergist in Evansville, IN always invents proprietary products that help provide relief to allergy sufferers. Anyone who has been experiencing rashes, dizziness, headaches or other unusual symptoms could have an undiagnosed allergy. Contact their office for an appointment with an Allergist in Evansville, IN at an Accredited Asthma, Allergy and Food Intolerance Center.
