Why are Allergies Increasing?

It is estimated that at least 10% of children and young adults have more than one allergic disorder. 1 Why is this figure so high? It would seem that the rise in allergic sufferers could stem from a number of contributing factors.

Genetics

Timing

It is believed that the timing of a child‘s exposure to an allergen and the size of that exposure could influence the likelihood of developing allergies. It has been found that babies born during the spring or early summer (times when the pollen count is high) are much more likely to be allergic to plant pollen at the age of ten than those born at other times of the year. Being exposed to pet allergens in early life also increases the risk. In fact it would seem that while sensitization may occur at any age the first year of life seems to be the most influential and even exposure during mid and late pregnancy are likely to have an effect.2

Environment

Protection

 

 

1. http://allergy-ireland.ie/media-publications/allergy-epidemic/ [paragraph 4, Consider these statistics]
2. BMA; Title: Understanding allergies; Publication year:2006;Publisher: family doctor Publication; author: Dr Joanne Clough; Page 23.