It is often said that allergies are the disease of the century, but they exist for a very long time: allergic reactions to wasp stings were already described in the pharaohs. However, particularly in the twentieth century that physicians began to learn about these conditions. One thing is certain: they are becoming more frequent, ransom of our changing lifestyles. We are increasingly faced with multiple chemicals, animal ... In addition; very early contacts with many foods are a contributing factor to food intolerance. However, pollution is not responsible for the increased incidence of allergies. It is simply accepted that allergic individuals (including asthma), it is a trigger for seizures.
Some figures allergies
There are 2.5 million asthma sufferers.
One woman in 10 has a contact dermatitis. Of the 4000 identified allergens, the most common is nickel.
10 to 20% of the population has allergic rhinitis.
3.5% of adults and 8% of children suffer from food allergies.
The causes of allergies.
An allergy reflects an overreaction of organization its environment. The allergen-known as the allergy-triggering factor may be of different natures. It may be a food, a particle suspended in the air (pollution, pollen ...), a drug, a chemical ...
In principle, our body is protected from the outside by skin and mucous membranes (respiratory, digestive. For there to be allergic, we must first note that this barrier has been crossed by the allergen. Secondly, the body recognizes it as an adversary. The first time the allergen enters the body (skin, respiratory or gastrointestinal), it is supported by gray cells of the immune system, which will record all its features. The subject feels nothing, but his immune system; it more than it should. Then, even if the allergen is introduced again in the body's immune cells recognize) and trigger allergies (asthma, eczema, hives ...) by activating antibodies) and / or spatial cells that secrete a substance, histamine depending on circumstances, the signs of allergy appear within minutes.
