When the body reacts allergically
The skin is itchy, the eyes are watering, the nose is running and there is no air to breathe – this can be an allergic reaction. More and more people suffer from allergies and there is currently no chance of a complete cure. So far, medicine has only been able to alleviate the symptoms.
With an allergy, the body’s immune system overreacts to substances that are actually harmless to the body. Allergy triggers can be pollen, flowers, milk protein, citrus fruits, nuts and much more. In total, there are over 20,000 different substances to which people can have an allergic reaction.
An allergy is not a disease but a symptom. The immune system of an allergy sufferer is not too weak, as one might assume, it is overdeveloped. The body’s defense system recognizes foreign bodies and fights them. In the case of an allergy sufferer, however, the body also identifies substances as foreign bodies that are actually completely harmless.
Depending on the allergy, the reactions to an intolerance are very different. Allergic reactions can manifest as shortness of breath, skin rash, dizziness, nausea or itching.
food allergies
Hidden allergens are particularly dangerous for people with food allergies. This not only applies to going to a restaurant, but also to groceries in the supermarket, since the packaging does not always state exactly what is actually included. Food allergies in babies often present with dry skin, soreness, eczema, stunted growth, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or bloody or foamy stools.
Did you know that children from more rural areas suffer from allergies less often on average? This is because children in rural areas are more likely to come into contact with allergy-causing substances, so their immune systems tolerate them and allergic reactions are less likely to occur. Pore-deep cleanliness as well as antibacterial and sterile apartments are therefore not recommended at all. Excessive cleanliness leads to hypersensitivity and disruption of the natural skin barrier function.
The following applies: the higher the standard of living, the greater the risk of allergies.
So let your child play outside and muddle with sand and earth. The more infections your child goes through in their life, the better the protection against allergies.
Can an allergy be cured?
So far, medicine has not been able to cure an allergy, it can only alleviate the symptoms. But especially in children, it is often observed that allergies decrease or even disappear completely in the course of development. The best example of this is neurodermatitis. In about four out of five affected children there is a chance that it will miraculously disappear, even if the allergy was very severe in childhood.