10 Things We All Get Wrong About Allergies
The immune system is a wonderful thing, but
when it malfunctions, things get pretty grim. Allergies are certainly
the most widespread immune issue, with 20% of the world population
experiencing allergic symptoms according to the World Health
Organization. An allergy is an exaggerated immune response to a harmless
substance that can result in itchy eyes, wheezing, skin rashes, and
sneezing.
This immune response can range from
uncomfortable to life-threatening depending on the person. One can be
sensitive to any trigger or multiple substances. And seemingly
ubiquitous things like pet dander, pollen, dust, or mold are all common
allergens.
Since allergies are so common and can be so serious, one would think
that the public is well-informed about these conditions. Alas, this is
not always the case. Even allergy sufferers themselves get many things
wrong. Don’t let misinformation prevent you from living a healthy life.
Stop trusting these 10 widespread allergy myths.
Myth 1. Hypoallergenic cat and dog breeds won’t trigger any symptoms.
Wanting a pet despite having an allergy is
understandable, and if you don’t have a severe allergy, it is possible.
Pet breeders may lead you to believe that adopting a so-called
hypoallergenic pet breed will solve all your problems, but it’s safer to
exercise caution, especially if you’re severely allergic.
Doctors know pet allergies are triggered by specific proteins present in
the pets’ saliva, sweat, dander, and urine. Hypoallergenic dogs and
cats like poodles, Portuguese water dogs, Siamese cats, and Sphynxes
produce less dander or have fewer of these allergy-causing proteins, so
they could possibly be a better choice for allergy sufferers. But even
they could trigger allergy symptoms, so you’ll need to adopt a clear set
of rules on handling your pet and cleaning your home to prevent allergy
flareups.
Myth 2. Food allergies are the same as food intolerances.
If you feel icky in your stomach a few
hours after eating chocolate or bread, you may interpret this as a food
allergy. But technically speaking, the described symptoms better fit the
definition of food intolerance. Unlike an allergy, which is an immune
response, intolerances usually involve the digestive system.
The classic example of food intolerance is lactose intolerance, where a
person experiences bloating, indigestion, or diarrhea after consuming
dairy. The symptoms of food intolerance are not as dangerous and take
longer to develop than a true food allergy. The latter can show up
within minutes after accidentally ingesting the food and could be
life-threatening. For example, a severe peanut allergy can result in the
swelling of the throat and narrowing of the lungs called anaphylaxis - a
medical emergency.
Myth 3. Living in a desert climate means you’ll have fewer allergies.
Since the common culprit behind seasonal
allergies is pollen, some people believe that living in a desert climate
can either reduce their symptoms or prevent them from getting allergies
altogether. Research suggests that the types of allergies people tend
to get can be predetermined by their environment, but every region has
roughly the same amount of allergy sufferers.
"The percentage of people who have allergies doesn't change from one
region of the country to another; what differs is what people are
allergic to," stated Dr. Darryl Zeldin to the AARP. This means that a
person will most likely develop some allergy if he or she is genetically
predisposed to allergies.
As for those who consider moving to a desert climate to escape
allergies, it’s largely a counterproductive attempt because grass and
ragweed pollen are found even there.
Myth 4. Only kids can develop allergies.
Since there is no known cure for allergies,
the best way to avoid allergic reactions is to know your triggers and
stay away from them. This is easier for people allergic to certain foods
or animals. Those suffering from hay fever all spring and summer due to
pollen or those who are allergic to dust and mold, on the other hand,
got the short end of the stick because their triggers are virtually
everywhere. For this reason, seasonal allergy sufferers usually relieve
their symptoms with the help of nasal sprays, eye drops, and
antihistamine pills.
But there is one more option fewer people are aware of - allergy
immunotherapy. According to the ACAAI, “immunotherapy involves giving
gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the
person is allergic.” The dose of the allergen is gradually increased
with every injection, and the person becomes less sensitive to the
allergen over time. Depending on your specific allergy and body, this
can reduce your allergy symptoms almost completely and permanently over
time.
Myth 6. Small kids shouldn’t eat commonly allergenic foods or play with pets.
This myth is not only untrue, it could be
dangerous. New studies actually show that the exposure of kids younger
than a year old to allergenic foods, namely tree nuts, and eggs, can
actually reduce their risk of developing a food allergy. The same is
true about pet allergies, with studies suggesting that children raised
in homes with pets have a reduced risk of suffering from pet allergies.
Of course, this doesn’t work if you already know that a child has a pet
or food allergy - no amount of exposure will be able to cure an already
existing allergy or make a child “grow out” of an allergy.
Myth 7. Mattress covers will reduce your dust allergy symptoms.
Dust allergies are caused by dust mites -
tiny bugs that feed on pet dander and human skin and live on our beds,
couches, carpets, and other textiles. Mattress and pillow covers are
often advised as a way to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms, but the
research on this topic is conflicting
A review study from 2014 suggests that
mattress covers make no significant difference in allergy symptoms like
asthma attacks, wheezing, and a runny nose because the mattress covers
didn’t reduce the number of dust mites enough for the participants to
feel a difference in their symptoms.
If you’re already using mattress and pillow covers, though, no need to
get rid of them - some allergists still believe that using and washing
them every month may actually help your symptoms.
Myth 8. Adding local honey to your diet relieves allergies.
Honey is delicious and nutritious, but it
doesn’t do anything for your seasonal allergies. According to anecdotal
evidence, eating honey from a local beehive can desensitize your immune
system to pollen, just because bees make honey from flower pollen. This
idea was tested experimentally in a 2013 study. In the study, one group
of patients was given local honey and the controls ate corn syrup.
The researchers didn’t find any difference between the two groups, and
overall, allergy symptoms persisted in all participants. If you’re
allergic to pollen, eating honey can actually be a bad idea. Although
very rare, some people can develop a severe allergic reaction after
eating raw, unpasteurized honey.
Myth 9. Flowers commonly trigger allergies.
This myth is connected to the previous one.
Few people know this, but flower pollen is actually a very rare
allergen, which is why most people won’t experience any adverse
reactions if they smell a bouquet of flowers. Bees also usually make
honey from flower pollen, which is why allergic reactions to honey are
quite rare. Which pollens are the culprits behind most spring allergies,
then? Trees, grasses, and weeds are the most common triggers of
allergies. Plants like ragweed, tumbleweed, sagebrush, pigweed, birch
trees, cedar, and oak all produce allergenic pollen.
Myth 10. It’s possible to outgrow allergies.
This is another myth that’s just not true.
If you have an allergy, it will most likely persist all your life. That
said, your immune response to allergens will decline with age. This is
why people over age 60 usually experience less severe symptoms of hay
fever or food allergies. Doctors explain that this happens because our
immune systems tend to become weaker over time.