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4 18 4 Nutrition, health and welfare 4.1 Text input Allergies are on the rise – and what you can do against them The number of people in the US suffering from allergies has been steadily growing in the past decades. There are three main types of allergies. Pollen allergies Climate change and crazy, new weather patterns worldwide that affect the environment are changing the way we think of “seasonal” allergies. A study conducted by the University of New Hampshire showed that spring is getting longer and coming earlier each year due to mild winters and less frequent snow falls. So the transition from winter to spring is happening sooner. This means seasonal allergies follow suit, coming earlier and lasting longer than ever before. Other research has shown that increasing levels of carbon dioxide and certain types of pollution make pollen more potent, and more likely to affect people with only mild allergies. If you want to avoid spending spring battling the annoying symptoms of seasonal allergies such as sneezing and itchy eyes, limit your time outdoors on high pollen days. You can monitor pollen levels in your area on most weather channels and websites. You should also watch out for windy days, wear sunglasses, a hat and other protective gear. In addition, be sure to take medication before symptoms kick in. Food allergies Each year the number of adults and children with some type of food allergy or sensitivity steadily rises. Researchers believe that food allergies affect nearly 50 million people in the United States, about 30 per cent of all adults and 40 per cent of children. A study released in 2013 shows food allergies among children increased nearly 50 per cent between 1997 and 2011. Scientists are still trying to figure out why food allergies are so prominent today, but one main theory is that the over-sanitation of daily life causes helpful gut bacteria to decrease. Another theory is that modern vaccines eradicate the kinds of diseases that would give our immune system something to fight against, so it goes up against more harmless stimuli. A simple skin and blood test by your doctor can determine whether you have a food allergy. Foods that tend to cause the most allergic reactions are soy, peanuts, milk, eggs, fish and wheat, so be sure to note how you feel after eating one of them. Unfortunately, the only way to prevent an adverse reaction is to avoid the food or trigger altogether. Pet allergies Sadly, pet allergies are a lot more common than you would think. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that as many as three in ten people in the United States are allergic to cats and dogs, with cat allergies being twice as common as dog allergies. However, the fact that you are allergic to one breed of dog or cat doesn’t mean you are allergic to all of them. Most researchers believe an over-sensitive immune system reacting to the pet’s urine, saliva or hair is what causes an allergy. Similar to most other reactions, symptoms include itchiness, sneezing and a rash, and the only means of prevention is avoidance. Stay away from animals that trigger allergies, but if exposure to pets is unavoidable, you can find long-term success with immunotherapies like allergy injections and allergy drops. (Kaitlyn Chamberlin, www.rd.com ; adapted and abridged) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv