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| Most Common Causes of Allergies and Their Triggers |
An allergic reaction is the immune system's natural protective mechanism when the body is exposed to a foreign substance. However, allergens appear in excess, causing disturbing symptoms.
What exactly is causing the overreaction? Then, who is more prone to allergies? Check out the full review below.
Allergies appear as an abnormal reaction of the immune system against foreign substances
that are basically harmless. Under normal conditions, the immune system should
be able to distinguish which substances are safe and which are really harmful
to the body.
The immune system will only actively work against foreign substances
that cause disease or damage. For example, an immunogenic reaction is needed to
fight pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi) or chemical irritants.
Likewise, when you eat something or inhale pollen from the
environment, the immune system does not react negatively because food has the
nutrients the body needs, while pollen does not have any impact on health.
The immune system of allergy sufferers does not work as described above. Their immune cells are unable, mistaken, or confused about which substances are safe and which are harmful. Their bodies automatically recognize ordinary substances as a threat.
Substances that have the potential to cause allergies are called allergens. When allergens enter the body, the immune system will form immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Antibodies are special proteins that function against foreign substances in the body.
Apart from IgE, certain allergic reactions sometimes also involve other components of the immune system, such as:
Each component of the immune system carries out its respective
functions. When allergens enter the body, T lymphocytes are tasked with
recognizing and remembering them. This mechanism is used in case one day you are exposed to the same
allergen.
Meanwhile, the antibodies will look for substances that cause
allergies and destroy them. During this mechanism, the release of IgE
antibodies also carries histamine and other chemicals that can trigger allergy symptoms.
Histamine can cause effects on several body systems at once, ranging from lowering blood pressure, triggering itching, to causing cold symptoms. This is why the symptoms and severity of allergies can vary from person to person.
Allergies are a very common health problem. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about 40% of the world's population has a characteristic allergy, namely the sensitivity of IgE antibodies to certain foreign substances from the environment.
Health professionals may understand the mechanism of allergies.
However, they do not fully understand why the immune system can react
differently to certain substances.
However, your chances of getting allergies will increase if you
have one or more of the risk factors below.
1. Have a Family History of Allergies
Most cases of allergies are genetic. That is, this condition runs
in the family. If your parents have allergy genes, these genes can be passed on
to you or your siblings to cause the same condition.
However, just because you, your partner, or your child has
allergies doesn't mean that all of your offspring will have them. Some people
may even develop allergies even though there is no family history of this
condition.
Until now, doctors and experts are still figuring out what genes
are responsible for causing allergies. Since each allergy is so unique, there
may be other factors in your genetics that influence your risk.
2. Too Rarely Exposed To Allergens
According to a study in the United States, the risk of allergies
can increase if since childhood you are accustomed to living too clean. The
reason is, the immune system does not have time to recognize various allergens
from the surrounding environment.
Allergen exposure from childhood can actually be useful for the
development of your immune system. That way, immune cells are able to
distinguish which foreign substances must be resisted, which are beneficial,
and which are not harmful to the body.
Introducing allergens early does not make children immune to allergies. However, this is the best way to strengthen the body's immune system naturally. This method will also help you identify allergy triggers as early as possible.
3. Restricted Eating Certain Foods
If your parents aren't allowed to eat certain foods since
childhood, this can cause allergies later in life. Food is the same as other
allergens that need to be introduced early so that the immune system does not
overreact.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends parents make
a varied diet to prevent allergies as adults. What's more, foods that trigger
allergies like nuts, eggs, and fish are basically beneficial for children.
Food allergies generally occur because the
immune system mistakenly recognizes proteins as foreign substances. Therefore,
getting used to eating varied foods from an early age is the best way to
introduce protein as a useful substance.
4. Living in a Dry Home Environment
Air humidity has a big impact on the
respiratory system. Air that is sufficiently
humid helps you breathe better. This condition is suitable for people with
asthma or allergies who often experience disorders of the respiratory system.
However, air that is too humid can actually trigger the growth of
mold and dust mites. Dust mites
produce enzymes and waste substances that can cause allergies in some people
when inhaled.
Therefore, as much as possible keep the air in the house controlled so that it is not too dry or humid. You can use a humidifier to keep the humidity in the 30-50 percent range.
5. Often Exposed To Allergens from the Work Environment
Certain occupations may make you more likely to be exposed to
allergens. If you spend years working in that place, exposure to allergens from
your work environment can be a cause of allergies.
Allergy triggers that are often found in the workplace include wood dust, air pollution, chemicals, and mites from storage. You may also be exposed to latex, animal waste, hair dye, or other allergens.
Allergies usually appear in childhood, when you are first
'acquainted' with a certain substance or food through skin contact, direct
consumption, or inhaled into the respiratory tract.
Some experts suspect that developing allergies in adulthood could
be linked to an increase in air pollutants and germs in the air. Exposure to
both, especially in the long term, can affect endurance.
It does not rule out that most adults who experience allergies for the first time at this age actually have a history of allergies in children since childhood. It's just that, they don't remember it.
Childhood allergic reactions may also subside or disappear during adolescence, then come back as adults. This may be due to the natural aging process which can affect the body's resistance over time.
Other factors that may be the reason why new allergies appear as adults are below.
Allergy Triggers Around You
Substances that cause allergic reactions can appear in many forms,
from cold air, clothing and jewelry, to foods that many people eat. Of the many
allergens, below are the most common.
1. Mites
Mites are one of the main causes of allergies. These insects feed
on the dead skin cells that you shed every day. Therefore, mites are found on mattresses,
sheets, pillows and bolsters, and even your baby's doll collection.
Mites produce waste substances that float in the air. If you inhale this waste substance, the immune system will perceive it as a danger and release antibodies to destroy it. At the same time, this reaction gives rise to allergic symptoms.
2. Dust
Household dust may contain insect droppings, pollen, mold spores,
or other substances that are allergens. When you inhale or touch them, they can
trigger an immune system reaction and cause a
dust allergy.
3. Lichens and fungi
Lichens and mold do best in dark, wet, and damp places. The areas
of the house that most support growth for both are bathrooms, storerooms, and
corners that are frequently exposed to water leaks.
When they are about to reproduce, moss and fungi will release
millions of tiny spores. These spores fly through the air and are not visible.
Like dust, mold spores can trigger an allergic reaction when large amounts are
inhaled.
4. Pets
The cause of allergies sometimes comes from pets. Dogs and cats
shed their hair as a way of adapting. The shedding usually contains protein
from saliva or urine which can provoke an allergic reaction if inhaled.
The foreign substances in your pet's hair, saliva, and urine are so light they can float in the air or stick to furniture for months. If not cleaned, these substances can cause a more severe animal allergy.
5. Nuts
All kinds of nuts and processed foods can provoke an exaggerated
immune system response. Some examples of types of nuts that are prone to
trigger allergies include peanuts, soybeans, almonds, cashews, macadamia, or
pistachios.
If you are diagnosed with an allergy to one type of peanut, chances are you should also avoid other types of nuts. The reason is, even though the bean species are different (one peanut and one tree nut), the protein structure remains the same.
6. Seafood
Seafood such as shrimp, shellfish, crab, and scaly fish (snapper,
salmon, tuna, or halibut) can cause allergies in some people. Seafood allergies are more common in adults and
adolescents.
Seafood allergies arise because the immune system tries to attack a protein called tropomyosin. Other proteins in seafood that may play a role in triggering negative immune reactions are arginine kinase and myosin light chain.
7. Eggs
Eggs are one of the foods that most often cause allergic reactions
in children. The main 'puppeteer' is the white part of the egg which contains
more protein than the yolk.
Even so, those of you who are allergic
to eggs should still avoid consuming eggs in any form.
This is because, with efforts to separate the white and yolk, there is still a
possibility that the protein from the white part is mixed with egg yolk.
8. Cow's milk
Fresh cow's milk and its products such as cream, cheese, butter,
and ice cream can cause allergic reactions. Milk allergy occurs when the body's immune system
recognizes the protein contained in milk as a dangerous substance.
The immune system secretes immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to neutralize milk proteins. The next time you come in contact with the protein, IgE antibodies will recognize it and signal the immune system to release an allergic reaction.
9. Certain drugs
Drug allergies are caused by the immune system's reaction to chemicals in drugs. Immune cells mistakenly recognize the chemical as dangerous and attack it by releasing antibodies and histamine.
According to the researchers, allergy symptoms tend to arise more frequently as a result of using the following medicines:
10. Stress
Stress has a psychological effect on allergy sufferers. Stress amplifies allergy symptoms, making you even more irritated by them. When you
are stressed, your body also feels bad even though you are actually doing well.
In addition, stress also causes physical symptoms. Experts believe
that the hormone cortisol, which is increased during stress, helps increase the
immune system's reaction to allergens. As a result, the allergic reaction you
are experiencing feels worse than usual.
Basically, the main cause of allergies is the immune system's
excessive response to foreign substances that enter the body. Not everyone has
allergies, but there are a number of factors that can increase the risk.
Although the cause is the same, allergen triggers are very
diverse. In fact, you may be exposed to environmental allergens without
realizing it.
If one or more of these allergens start to trigger symptoms, it's
a good idea to visit your doctor for the best solution.
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