If you are looking for allergies causes, you need not look further than your own body.Each one of us has been equipped with an immune system which protects us every moment from infections and foreign bodies. Think of them as an army, always standing ready to defend the body.
Now sometimes, this immune system overreacts to certain particles, which are normally harmless to most people. So, whenever those particles are introduced into the body, a large number of antibodies are created to fight this foreign matter. These antibodies declare a war on these allergens and the result is an allergy.
The antibodies, which are produced by our body are also called Immunoglobulins. A person prone to allergies, usually over produces a particular type of Immunoglobulin called IgE.
In the normal course of life, these antibodies help in attacking parasites and other harmful invaders. However, when the IgE reacts to the particular allergen, it causes an explosive reaction and harms the adjoining cells in the location where this attack takes place.
So, for instance, if one is allergic to pollen and the IgE is present in large quantities in the nasal cavity, it is going to affect the cells in the naval cavity. Another side effect of this attack is chemicals like histamine which produce inflammation and other symptoms in the adjoining cells.
But what are the underlying allergies causes? Why do some people develop allergies, while some don’t?
The answer, unfortunately, is not known.
Some people are genetically predisposed to allergies. So, people with allergies in their family run a high risk of being allergic themselves.
However, there are many non-hereditary allergies causes too. For instance, it has been observed that babies who have not been breast fed are more prone to allergies.
Medical science has however not been able to understand these allergies causes. It has no idea why some people develop allergies to one kind of allergen while others develop it for other kinds or why someone cannot inhale pollen and someone cannot have eggs.
Some factors have however been observed, which may increase a person’s chance of becoming allergic.
Pollution
Exposure to air pollution has increased the incidence of allergies in the particular areas. Increased smog and vehicular emissions mean more and more of us are falling prey to allergies.
Parental Smoke
Children of parents who smoke or children, who have been exposed to second hand smoke, tend to be allergic. Children of smoking mothers who continued with their habit during their pregnancy tend to develop acute allergic reaction including allergic eczema.
Food
Certain fatty acids when consumed at an early age can also cause allergies. It has been found that children who have eaten more margarine (the artificial substitute) than butter (the natural product) tend to be more allergic. So to be on the safe side, eat as natural as possible.
Leaky Gut
This is a common cause of many food allergies. Some people have a more permeable intestine than normal, which allows undigested or partly digested food particles to enter the bloodstream.
Antibiotics
Another of the main food allergies causes, is antibiotics. Antibodies not only kill the bad disease creating bacteria, but also the good disease fighting bacteria. This leaves the digestive system at the mercy of harmful bacteria and parasites. The immune system gears up to fight these with an increased production of antibodies which can in some cases, result in allergies.
These allergies causes are however indicative – the medical world is still looking for many answers in this field.