Do you often get colds for no reason? Do you itch and scratch your body after eating certain foods? Or do you start sneezing as soon as you smell dust? Although these things may seem trivial, they could be caused by a condition we call 'allergy'. Today, we'll talk about what this allergy is, how it really affects our lives, and what the most important data and information in the world is about it.
What exactly is an allergy?
Simply put, an allergy is an unwanted, mistaken reaction of our body's immune system to something that is normally harmless (for example, dust, pollen, certain foods). Our body thinks that these things are a big enemy. So, in order to fight against this 'enemy', we get these allergy symptoms (such as a runny nose, itching, skin rashes, difficulty breathing).
Imagine, what happens here is like a security guard getting worried when he thinks a harmless guest coming into our house is a thief.
This is not as simple as it seems. According to statistics in countries like the United States, allergies are the sixth most common chronic disease among people. That means they are something to watch out for, along with diabetes and high blood pressure .
How common are allergies and related conditions?
Looking at this information, you will understand how serious and common this situation is. Although this data is based on the United States, the situation may be similar in Sri Lanka.
| Fact | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Prevalence of allergies among adults | About 30 out of every 100 adults. |
| The prevalence of allergies among children | About 40 out of every 100 children. |
| Food Allergies | About 11% of adults and 7.5% of children. |
| Asthma outbreak | About 8% of adults and 7% of children. |
| Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) admissions due to food allergies | Approximately 200,000 per year. |
Do children get allergies from their parents?
This is a problem that many people have. Yes, there is a genetic predisposition to allergies.
- If one parent has an allergy , the child has a 30% to 50% chance of developing an allergy.
- If both parents have allergies, the child's chance of developing allergies increases to 60% to 80% .
That means that if either parent has asthma, a dust allergy, or a condition like eczema, they need to take a little extra care of their child.
How our environment and lifestyle affect allergies
Our environment and the way we live also have a big impact on allergies.
Home environment
We think that indoors is safer than outdoors, right? But the truth is, according to surveys, we spend 90% of our lives indoors. Surprisingly, the amount of air pollutants inside homes can be two to five times higher than outside. Dust, mold, pet dander, and various chemicals are the causes.
- Pets: 90% of homes in the United States have detectable dog or cat allergens. That means that even if you don't have a dog or cat in your home, these allergens can still enter your home from the house next door, or even from your clothes.
Climate change
Global warming has also affected allergies. For example, in countries like the United States and Canada, the pollen season of the ragweed plant has been extended by between 1 and 3.5 weeks due to climate change. This means that people have more time to suffer from allergies.
Be especially careful with asthma and other allergies.
Allergies sometimes don't stop with a runny nose or itchy skin. Asthma is the most serious condition that can be related to allergies.
- Emergency care due to asthma: In the United States alone, approximately 1.8 million people are admitted to the emergency department (ETU) each year due to asthma.
- Deaths: The saddest thing is that asthma kills about 3,500 people a year. This shows that asthma is never something to be taken lightly .
In addition, hay fever, or pollen allergies , and skin conditions such as eczema and hives are very common among children and adults.
If you or someone in your family has asthma, keeping your doctor's prescribed inhaler close at hand and taking the prescribed treatment exactly as prescribed can be the difference between life and death.
What should you do?
Don't be afraid to see this information. The most important thing we need to learn from this is to be aware of allergies and take the necessary steps.
1. Recognize the symptoms: If you or your child has frequent colds, coughs, skin rashes, difficulty breathing, or sneezing, don't dismiss it as normal.
2. Seek medical advice: If you suspect you have an allergy, be sure to see your doctor . Don't self-diagnose and take medication. A doctor can determine if you really have an allergy, what is causing it, and prescribe the necessary treatment.
3. Keep the environment clean: Keep your home free of dust. Wash bed sheets and pillowcases frequently in hot water. Be careful of areas where mold can grow.
4. Be aware: Identify your triggers. Stay away from those foods or things as much as possible.
Allergies are a manageable condition with proper management. All it takes is awareness and following proper medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- Allergies are a very common condition, especially among children, so it's important to be aware of them.
- If your parents have allergies, you are at higher risk of developing them too.
- Conditions like food allergies and asthma can be serious, so never ignore their symptoms.
- Keeping the environment inside the home clean is a great help in controlling allergies.
- If you suspect you have an allergic condition, the best thing to do is to consult your doctor immediately.
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