Anyone can develop allergy symptoms and allergies. Some individuals are more likely than others based on such factors as: family history of allergy (genetic predisposition), potential allergen exposure levels, environment, dietary habits, and general health. Some people inherit the tendency to develop allergies but never do. Others don’t inherit the tendency, yet still become allergic.
More people in the general population (approximately 45 million) are thought to be allergic today than in the past for several reasons. The first is more awareness of the problem as a result of education of both healthcare providers (realizing that allergy is many times an underlying factor in the cause of many chronic ailments) and the general public. This has resulted in an increase in the number of people seeking an allergist’s help. As an example of this, even now, many people who have chronic sinus problems don’t realize they may be allergic. This is because they don’t have the classic symptoms that people most often associate with “having allergies”. Those are itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and hives. Patients that are having chronic sinus problems need to see an otolaryngologist (a physician specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures) who can determine if allergy is the primary cause of their symptoms. An otolaryngologist may refer the patient to an allergist for testing or may be specially trained in allergy testing and treatment him/herself. The second is a greater mixing of the gene pool. That is, those who have allergies having children with those whose families don’t and then the children having allergies. The third reason for an expanding number of people having allergy symptoms is the ever-increasing pollution of our environment. Our immune system may not work properly if we have a heavy chemical load to bear. The allergens binding with these toxins may also add to their inherent antigenicity (ability to cause allergies). A fourth factor may be that many of us eat a poor diet. Diets deficient in certain nutrients and high in sugar have been shown in some studies to cause malfunctions in our immune system. In addition, repetitive eating (a result of modern living) may cause an increase in the development of food sensitivity.
Since allergy symptoms may become a problem for anyone it is important that a person (patient) suffering with chronic symptoms of any kind see a physician. One shouldn’t assume they have allergies without first having ruled out other potentially more serious ailments.