Allergies Defined

What are allergies, and how do we get them? Why do some people have them, and others don't?

The technical definition of an allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction, which is exactly what it sounds like. At the time of our first exposure to something that our body identifies as harmful to us, an immune cell called a T(H)2 Lymphocyte interacts with another kind of lymphocyte called a B Cell to produce IgE, which is a type of antibody. The antibody binds to a receptor site. This sets the scene for the subsequent exposure. At our next exposure to the allergen, when the antibody is present at the receptor site, histamines are released, causing the classic allergic reaction: inflammation (swelling) and heat (usually in the form of redness, rash, itching, or warmth in the affected area). This reaction happens because we have become hypersensitive to the allergen.

What about people who have allergies at a very young age? Some people are born with allergies, having inheritied them from their parents. Children of allergy sufferers are often allergy sufferers themselves. Other children seem to "grow out" of their allergies at around 8 or 9 years of age. Actually, hormones mask the symptoms of allergies. These same individuals will probably see a resurgence of their allergies in their 50s or 60s as their hormones wane.

We can also aquire allergies. Allergies are aquired through several mechanisms. When our immune system is compromised--by disease, by stress, by a combination of factors--our body may mistakenly identify a harmless item as harmful. This is why mothers (having undergone a change in their immune system so their body won't reject the fetus, and the subsequent stress of childbirth) often report a newfound inability to digest gluten, the protein in wheat, or dairy products. Similarly, a man who lost his job, got divorced, and endured the tragic loss of his father to a car accident, might suddenly become chemically sensitive. An exposure to toxic chemicals during childhood--carpet cleaning agents, or immunizations, for example--can spawn further allergies to other substances, such as foods or environmental factors.

These are just a few examples of how people become sensitive, intolerant, or allergic. The immune system is a complex and multidimensional aspect of our body, and we are just starting to understand the intricacies of how it works.

So why do some people have allergies and others don't? Some people have great genes. Others have two parents with lots of allergies from whom they inherited their own sensitivities. Some people have little stress in their lives, or have adapted to stress in a positive way. We are all different and unique, which is why, although there are common allergies, anyone can be allergic to anything. It's all about polarity. Either we have a positive relationship with something or a negative one. The most important aspect of ourselves is our own awareness of our limitations and our adaptability.