Complete Anatomy

Allergies can come in many different forms. Some we come in contact through particles in the air, some we ingest, and some we encounter through our skin. Our immune systems create antibodies to help protect us from different illnesses. Sometimes we have high levels of antibodies called upon to benign environmental exposures that lead to allergic responses. The reason some people have allergies, while others do not is dependent on your immune system and how it identifies typically harmless substances as threats.

Allergies are not just developed when we are born, they can develop any point in a person’s life. Family history can play a factor in what we are allergic to though. If a parent has an allergy to a substance there is a 30-50% chance that their offspring will develop the allergy/allergies. If both parents have the same allergy, it is then 60-80% that the offspring will have it as well. Although some allergies will be present at a young age, some can resolve on their own later in life.

Traditionally it used to be thought that we should stay away from common allergens to reduce the risk of a bad allergic response. However, in more recent studies it is suggested that avoiding allergens can make it more likely for a person to develop allergies due to the immune system being more unfamiliar to a substance. For example, sometimes an allergy can appear suddenly to something you never previously thought you had an issue with before. If you grew up without pets you might not know if you are allergic to pet dander until you one day adopt a cat.

Due to the complex connection between genetic and environmental factors, it is hard to pinpoint where all allergies come from. There are many theories scientists have proposed to explain the nature of allergies (such as the hygiene hypothesis). Seeing an allergist can help you pinpoint any symptoms such as coughing, running nose, sneezing, and rashes. By taking an allergy test your allergist can help you create a treatment plan. For those concerned about passing allergies down to their offspring it is important to note that infants and children can have seasonal allergies, but allergies tend to develop between ages 3-5. By consulting with your doctor, you can create a plan for introducing common allergenic food (dairy, egg, and peanuts) into your child’s diet.