Why Are Allergies Getting Worse?

Are your seasonal allergies worse than ever? You're not alone. Allergy rates are soaring worldwide, leaving many overwhelmed. What's causing this sudden spike in sensitivities that have our immune systems going haywire?

More than just a nuisance, allergies can be a costly and dangerous health threat. From mild symptoms to severe reactions, they're taking a toll on our lives. It's time to delve into the data and discover strategies to fight back against this growing problem.

Statistical Increases

Medical anthropologist Theresa MacPhail confirms a global surge in allergic reactions, ranging from hay fever to eczema and asthma. Statistical data from the past one to two decades provides compelling evidence of this rising trend in allergy prevalence.

According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults and more than 1 in 4 U.S. children reported having a seasonal allergy, eczema, or food allergy in 2021. That translates to over 100 million people in the US alone affected by allergies.

Food allergies, in particular, now affect about one in 13 children in the US, causing 40% of suffering children to be treated in an emergency department. The CDC characterizes food allergies as a “growing safety and public health concern.” Congress has officially designated the eight major food allergens that cause 90% of allergic reactions within the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act.

The US data aligns with estimates indicating that a staggering 30 to 40% of the world's population now also experiences some type of allergy, including those to drugs, food, insects, and skin irritants, along with sinusitis and general sensitivities. This has sparked concern about the root causes and potential solutions for this growing health problem. Clearly, something dramatic and explosive is happening before our eyes.

Root Causes

There's no single culprit behind the rise in allergies worldwide, but several factors are likely contributing:

1. The Hygiene Hypothesis: Foundationally, our immune system is laid during the first three years of life. But today, instead of exposing young children to a diverse microbial environment, our hyper-focus on excessive hygiene and sanitation may hinder the development of a healthy immune system through a lack of essential training.

2. Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental pollutants, drug compounds, household chemicals, and air pollution, may also alter the immune system's normal functioning, leading to an exaggerated response upon exposure.

3. Diet and Gut Health: Our intestines are teeming with billions of bacteria essential for digestion and overall health. However, the dramatic shift to processed foods (with decreased fiber intake) over the past 70-80 years, starves beneficial bacteria, while at the same time, promoting the growth of less desirable microbes. It’s an imbalance that contributes to the rise in allergies by affecting the immune system.

4. Increased Agricultural/Food Chemicals: Chemicals, additives, preservatives, pesticides, hormones, livestock medicines, and so on are all destructive to our gut bacteria.

5. Unnecessary C-Sections: While C-sections may in some cases be a vital medical intervention, many are now being done unnecessarily. Babies born via C-section bypass the initial exposure to vital bacteria in the birth canal, potentially leading to a less diverse gut microbiome. This brings a higher risk of developing asthma, eczema, and food allergies.

6. The Skin’s Defense: The skin is not only a physical barrier against external threats, but it hosts a complex ecosystem of microbes that interact with the immune system to protect against harmful pathogens entering the body. However, modern lifestyles, filled with harsh detergents, excessive skincare products, and a myriad of environmental chemicals lead to a compromised barrier often referred to as "leaky skin." This allows allergens to more easily penetrate, triggering an immune response.

Of course, this is not an inclusive list, but it’s certain that we live differently today than in the past. We cook differently, we manufacture differently, we grow differently ... all problems for our microbiota and subsequently, the immune system. Our body is simply overwhelmed with foreign substances that have no business being in our body.

It's crucial to acknowledge that our daily lives are surrounded by a multitude of chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Control Substances Act lists approximately 85,000 chemicals, many of which we inhale, ingest, or come into contact with through our skin.

These exposures can have many unintended consequences on our overall health. Yet people continue to use them, lured by deceptive advertising and driven by the demand for convenience, they expose themselves to harmful chemicals, often leading to a life burdened by allergies.

Quality of Life

Allergies can have a profound effect on your life, with even mild cases able to lead to a constant sense of discomfort, fatigue, sinus problems, sleep disturbances, skin issues, Anaphylaxis, or even impacted mental health.

While allergy-free individuals may underestimate the risk, the gradual accumulation of chemicals in the body could foreshadow future health problems for most people. It's essential to recognize that even without experiencing overt allergic reactions, we are all susceptible to the harmful effects of chemical exposure.

There is even a potential risk to life with allergies, particularly in the case of Anaphylaxis - a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

The overzealous push for sanitation post-COVID has led to a reliance on harmful chemicals through germ-killing cleansers, hand wipes, sanitizers, and even masks, many sourced from countries with lax regulations. That’s why the potential effects of excessive hygiene practices, paint a complex picture of the multi-faceted causes behind the growing allergy epidemic.

Prevention

Germs

Wondering how to shield yourself from rising allergy rates? The root causes are complex, but it’s evident that harmful exposures are key contributors. To potentially prevent or manage allergies, consider these natural approaches:

1. Eat healthy, organic foods

2. Promote gut health by focusing on a diet rich in fiber, fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut), and prebiotic foods (garlic, onions, bananas) to nourish beneficial gut bacteria.

3. Severely limit highly processed foods, often laden with artificial ingredients, sugar, and unhealthy fats, can negatively impact gut health and contribute to inflammation, potentially exacerbating allergies.

4. Consider an elimination diet if you suspect food allergies, working with a healthcare professional to identify and eliminate potential triggers. Sometimes a blood test can be very revealing.

5. Use natural cleaning products without harsh chemicals, as these can irritate the immune system and exacerbate allergies.

6. For babies, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life may help reduce the risk of allergies in infants.

7. Herbal remedies like butterbur and stinging nettle have shown potential in managing allergy symptoms.

We've been trained to reject critical thinking in the context of the germ theory, believing we can sanitize the world into submission. However, chemical sanitation and excessive sterility only make the problem worse. It may be a complex issue with no easy answers, but it's clear that our current approach to hygiene warrants a thoughtful re-evaluation.

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