If it seems like everyone around you has been experiencing more sneezing, coughing, and wheezing this summer, you’re not mistaken. Allergies are not only becoming more prevalent but also more severe. The rise in respiratory allergies, asthma, eczema, and food allergies has been observed for the past 50 years. Currently, approximately 30-40% of the global population suffers from at least one allergic condition.
Industrialization, urbanization, changing diets, the overuse of antibiotics, and the climate crisis have all contributed to the challenges our immune systems face. With the increase in pollen from native and invasive plants, the chemicals in our everyday products, and the particulate matter from burning fuels, our immune cells are overwhelmed. Even our furry companions, such as dogs, cats, and birds, are developing allergies. Our immune systems are struggling to keep up with the rapid changes of the past two centuries.
A significant obstacle in effectively treating or preventing allergies is our lack of understanding regarding how our immune systems learn to tolerate or react to different substances. We don’t comprehend why one immune cell may respond negatively to pollen, triggering an allergic reaction, while another immune cell remains unaffected. Despite having the same genetics, environment, and exposures, our immune cells behave differently, and the reason behind this remains unknown.
Our ignorance on this matter can be attributed to the complexity of the immune system and the lack of technological advancements until recently. Furthermore, allergies were largely disregarded and underfunded in the medical field, leaving us uninformed. However, over the past few decades, we have made progress in understanding the biological mechanisms behind allergies. This knowledge allows us to prevent allergies from developing or cope with them when they cannot be avoided.
Living near major roads and bus depots during childhood increases the risk of respiratory allergies and asthma. On the other hand, early exposure to certain microorganisms, like the beneficial bacteria found in farmhouse dust, has a protective effect. The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests that exposure to a certain level of dirt is beneficial, although the specific microbes and their mechanisms remain unknown. Additionally, research has debunked some myths surrounding allergies, such as the effectiveness of probiotics and local honey consumption.
Food allergy research serves as a prime example of how investing in research can yield better outcomes. In response to the rising rates of pediatric food allergy, the initial advice for parents to avoid allergenic foods was proven incorrect. Based on newer studies, introducing infants to small amounts of allergens at an early age has shown positive results, leading to a decrease in nut allergies since 2016.
Unfortunately, allergy research, in general, has received less funding and attention compared to other medical conditions like cancer or diabetes. Allergies were barely touched upon in medical schools, leaving a significant knowledge gap. Although recent increases in food allergy rates have led to more private research funding, these funds often go towards finding specific treatments rather than understanding the immune system on a fundamental level.
To address these issues, governments, advocacy groups, and NGOs need to allocate more funding for basic scientific research on the immune system and allergic pathways. With an estimated 4 billion people worldwide expected to have an allergic condition in the next decade, this should be a priority. Additionally, investing in allergy research may uncover knowledge applicable to other immune-related disorders like autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Ultimately, increasing funding for understanding our immune cells and their functions will lead to longer, healthier, and happier lives in our rapidly changing environment. In the meantime, if you’re struggling with worsening allergies or ineffective treatments, know that allergy researchers are dedicated to finding solutions. However, they require more support to unlock the possibility of a cure by understanding and retraining our immune cells to make the right decisions regarding allergens.
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