What Causes Allergies:
Get To The Root Of The Matter

Many people, especially upcoming new parents, question what causes allergies? Most feel if they knew the cause, they would take steps early to prevent allergies in their upcoming children. Unfortunately, current research has not yielded any definitive answers to this question.

What Do We Know About What Causes Allergies

• A breakdown in the body's immune system where the antibodies mistakenly try to defend your system from a "foreign substance". The food you just ate has become an "alert" because your immune system does not recognize it as safe.

• When food allergies run in the family, the upcoming children are more susceptible

• Because of an already impaired respiratory system, many asthmatics will show allergic responses.

• When solid foods are introduced too early to a young child, they may develop symptoms

• OR when solids are introduced too late, many say a child does not have the necessary immunity built up in their system to fight off any allergens.

• Cow's milk or soy milk being fed to a newborn at birth may cause reactions because a newborn's digestive system has difficulties processing the many proteins present in cow and soy milk.

• Continually eating the same food product repetitively because it is a food favorite. This can lead to a resistance in your body ultimately ending in an allergic reaction.

• The "Hygiene Hypothesis"- we as a nation here in the United States and most developed countries in the world are living in an age when we have cleaned everything. Our homes are cleaned repetitively, kids do not play outside anymore, feeling their time is better spent in front of the TV or the computer and we use anti-bacterial soap and shampoos for normal everyday use etc.. We have literally distanced ourselves as much as possible from bacteria, viruses and all kinds of germs. Our immune system therefore has become "lazy", with it not having the capabilities of determining what is an actual allergen and no longer being able to defend ourselves from it.

So research to date is still trying to narrow down the possibilities and come up with more effective solutions as to what causes allergies. Trial and error is the general therapy now along with avoidance of your known allergen triggers. An exact prescription can not be offered as not everyone reacts consistently to the same set of stimuli.

Return to "Allergy Vs. Intolerance" from "What Causes Allergies".