Allergy Sufferers Unite! Text by Jo Clark
Allergy season is a bear. For some, it is a yearround struggle with invisible airborne particles. Something is always blooming, even in January or February (those pesky pine trees!). Trees pollinate first, then grass, followed by ragweed. There are also offenders like smoke, household dust, pet dander, dust mites, mold and perfume. According to Allergy & Asthma Network, one in five Americans has environmental allergies, including two of three asthma patients. Allergies are among the top six causes of chronic illness. More than 100 million Americans suffer from allergies and miss four million work days annually.
Causes We suffer more every year—but why? We’re too clean! Really! One theory, dubbed the “hygiene hypothesis,” posits that children aren’t exposed to enough germs, so their 14
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immune systems can’t differentiate between harmful and harmless irritants. The immune system is always in attack mode. Another popular theory is that climate change causes early growing seasons which last longer. The additional growing cycles for plants mean extra pollen for allergy sufferers. And allergies are hereditary. Children are 50% more likely to have allergies if a parent has allergies. If both parents are allergy sufferers, the likelihood jumps to 75% Age plays a part. Exposure to more allergens causes your reaction to worsen because exposure tells your immune system to respond.
Who Has It Worse? All pollen spots are not created equal. Southern cities pay for those warm winters by growing Jul y/Aug
2023