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| Allergy Risk Factors |  Approximately 20 to 40 million of Americans of all ages suffer from allergy. Besides, the amount of people with asthma and other upper respiratory infections is growing yearly. In most cases allergies appear first in childhood, and allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic condition in childhood, although it can develop at any age. Nearly 20% of allergic rhinitis cases are due to seasonal allergies, 40% to chronic rhinitis, and the rest are mixed.
The most common risk factors
- Genetic factor is the major determinant of allergies. If two parents have an allergy, the child’s risk is 75%. If one of the parents is allergic, the child’s risk is 50%. Family history of asthma, eczema, hay fever, or hives is also very likely to develop allergy.
- Having other types of allergy increases the risk for allergic rhinitis. For example, food allergies carry high risk of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Asthma developed in adult age may increase allergic sensitivity to ragweed and other allergens.
- The general environmental load of toxic substances, such as environmental pollutants, chemicals, and others, that we are exposed to in our lifetimes weakens our immune function and leads to an increase in or worsening of symptoms.
- Allergenic foods weakens our immune function and results in an increase in or aggravation of symptoms. Dietary sensitivities create a condition of hypersensitivity and congestion of the mucus membranes. This congestion diminishes the immune function of these tissues.
- Histamines (the naturally-occurring chemicals that are involved in allergic reactions) are present in many foods as well as the pollens of trees, grasses, and weeds.
- Eating of saturated fat, like meat, dairy, and refined foods, like sugar, white flour, increase the inflammatory reaction which is created by histamines.
- Chronic stress is detrimental to the immune system. Such forms of stress as emotional stress, inadequate nutrition, chronic viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fugal infections, are disastrous to our immune system.
- Absence of breast-feeding may increase the risk of allergies.
- Some studies report a higher risk of allergies and asthma in children born in winter months and lower risk in those born during the summer.
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