What causes allergies to develop?!
Question: What causes allergies to develop.?
I seem able to eat any food, I have lived in a densely forested part of Maine, and now live in the Sonoran desert. Neither pollen season, nor the passage of, a dust storm has given me so much as a sniffle. I have been stung by ants, bees, yellow jackets, and even a tarantula hawk once without serious reaction. As a kid, I even made money digging up poison ivy plants because I seemed immune to the oil of their leaves. So far, I have been fortunate in that nothing seems to trigger an allergic reaction in me. However, I hear continued exposure to a potential allergen can cause an allergy to develop. This leaves me wondering if the fact I have been moving every few years for most of my life may be a reason I have no allergies.
So, I am curious. What are allergies.? What causes the adverse reactions.? And most importantly, what causes a person to develop them in the first place.?Health Question & Answer
So, I am curious. What are allergies.? What causes the adverse reactions.? And most importantly, what causes a person to develop them in the first place.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
It seems the majority are genetically predisposed to suffering from allergies. I have them myself, and really miss the days when I didn't have to read labels or be paranoid about what was in food that wasn't on the label. Or paranoid about what plant pollen or other food stuff that I may react to next. ugh. I'd thought of it before, but hadn't looked it up until this question. I found a site that explains the whole thing in very good detail. I usually try to answer and leave the site in references, but it's too much to cover and it is actually an interesting read. Hope it helps, I know I understand a lot more about why I have them than I ever have before; even with doctor's explanations. Thanks for asking a great question! =D
http://www.wdxcyber.com/ngen28.htmHealth Question & Answer
http://www.wdxcyber.com/ngen28.htmHealth Question & Answer
In simple terms, an allergy is a hyperactive response of the immune system to certain substances which are "foreign" to our bodies. These substances are called "allergens", and they can range from food and pollen to dust and drugs. Here are some common allergens:
Pollen from trees, grass and weeds
Animal dander
Mold
Dust (Dust mites are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting and upholstered furniture. They live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust.)Health Question & Answer
Pollen from trees, grass and weeds
Animal dander
Mold
Dust (Dust mites are tiny living creatures found in bedding, mattresses, carpeting and upholstered furniture. They live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust.)Health Question & Answer