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2006-07-10 05:15:31 · 2 answers · asked by roco j 2 in Health Diseases & Conditions Allergies

2 answers

Briefly, because our immune system tries to defend our body from attack by germs, viruses and fungi. But it does it imperfectly.

Some real threats aren't identified or can't be attacked. Some non-threats (like plants pollens or allergic foods) are erroneously identified and attacked/defended against with runny noses, sneezing, fever, vomiting, etc.

It is a price we pay for being long-lived (you need to defend against many real threats over the years) and being exposed to so many different irritants. Think of all the introduced plants and animals in your area compared to the environment 500 years ago.

There is also a theory which has some evidence to it, that people have more allergies now because we have less serious illnesses. If our immune systems are primed to defend and develop later immunity to real diseases (like measles, mumps, rubella, scarlet fever, etc) and never sees those (because of effective public health measures), then it tends to find and defend against other "threats".

So instead of most kids in grade school getting seriously sick once or twice and several dying like pre-WWII, now very few ever have a life threatening disease but several develop hay fever or a food allergy.

-David

2006-07-10 05:29:57 · answer #1 · answered by David in Kenai 6 · 0 1

Many of us have allergies of which we do not even suspect. I personally was surprised to find that I had many allergies. Now, after having been referred to a dermatology and an allergy clinic, I have been skin tested. My overall condition has improved extremely well. There are just some things that don't work well with us. Yes, some of our allergies are inherited, but some develop during our lifetimes. I wish you well in finding out what you require. Remember this, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31. Peace and God Bless.

2006-07-10 12:45:14 · answer #2 · answered by In God We Trust 7 · 0 0

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