Little is known as to why there has been such a steep escalation in allergic diseases over the past few decades. It may be because allergens have become more aggressive as the environments we live in have changed. People are now also exposed to a multitude of substances, both natural and synthetic, which were not in our environment 20 years ago.
Allergens and triggers: what causes allergies?
An allergen is the name given to a substance which can cause an allergic reaction. An aggressive allergen is defined as one that is more likely to cause symptoms than others because the body reacts in a more intense
way. Not all allergens directly cause a reaction but the reaction can be triggered when the allergen interacts with other causal factors such as stress or air pollution.
There are thousands of allergens, ranging from pollen to shellfish. Most allergens contain proteins, which are
to blame for allergic reactions, but there are some, such as penicillin and other medicines, which simply combine with proteins when they enter the body. Common allergens can be found all around us and can be ingested through the nose, the eyes, the stomach and lungs, touch the skin or enter directly into the body through an insect sting or bite.
way. Not all allergens directly cause a reaction but the reaction can be triggered when the allergen interacts with other causal factors such as stress or air pollution.
There are thousands of allergens, ranging from pollen to shellfish. Most allergens contain proteins, which are
to blame for allergic reactions, but there are some, such as penicillin and other medicines, which simply combine with proteins when they enter the body. Common allergens can be found all around us and can be ingested through the nose, the eyes, the stomach and lungs, touch the skin or enter directly into the body through an insect sting or bite.
In a survey
Conducted by the European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients’ Association (EFA), patients named multiple allergens and triggers including
In westernised societies we are spending much more time indoors where we are exposed to allergens associated with pets, insects, house dust mites, foodstuffs and mould. Foods imported into Europe, such as nuts or kiwi fruit, can also trigger allergic reactions.
Indoor and outdoor airborne pollutants are major factors in the allergy epidemic, with a defined link between the increase in air pollution and the prevalence of allergic diseases.
Air pollution does not only irritate the airways, it has also been shown to make allergens like pollen more aggressive.
The increasing incidence in allergic asthma in children may coincide with modifications to the home, school or day-care centre environment. Changes to bedding and air conditioning units, or increased concentration of
humidity and mould, can result in changes to indoor air quality and subsequent exposure to allergy triggers.
A plethora of new indoor and outdoor pollutants may also play a role in the duration of allergies, with today’s
allergy patients suffering for longer. Nearly six out of ten allergic rhinitis sufferers in Europe were found to have experienced symptoms for more than years; a quarter of those surveyed said they had suffered all their lives.
Indoor and outdoor airborne pollutants are major factors in the allergy epidemic, with a defined link between the increase in air pollution and the prevalence of allergic diseases.
Air pollution does not only irritate the airways, it has also been shown to make allergens like pollen more aggressive.
The increasing incidence in allergic asthma in children may coincide with modifications to the home, school or day-care centre environment. Changes to bedding and air conditioning units, or increased concentration of
humidity and mould, can result in changes to indoor air quality and subsequent exposure to allergy triggers.
A plethora of new indoor and outdoor pollutants may also play a role in the duration of allergies, with today’s
allergy patients suffering for longer. Nearly six out of ten allergic rhinitis sufferers in Europe were found to have experienced symptoms for more than years; a quarter of those surveyed said they had suffered all their lives.
Allergens
- House dust mites
- Domestic and wild
- animals/insect venom
- Mould
- Perfume
- Feathers
- Foods
- Cleaning products
Triggers
- Tobacco smoke
- Traffic pollution
- Air pollution
- Indoor/outdoor
- temperature
- Humidity
- Stress
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