The share of people who say they have an allergy increased in ten years from 18 to 21 percent, the study shows. Health survey from CBS. This is an average, as there are significant differences in age and gender. Allergies are most common among 25 to 35 year olds, and least common among young children and the very elderly. Women suffer from it more often than men, but girls suffer less than boys. The turning point is between the ages of fifteen and twenty.
It also matters whether people live in the city or in the countryside. For example, 24 percent of residents of very urban municipalities indicate that they have an allergy, compared to 17 percent of rural residents.
Trees in bloom
“It is interesting and important research,” responds Prof. Geert Houben, immunotoxicologist and allergy expert at UMC Utrecht and TNO research institute. “However, I view this type of data more as having an important signaling role than as evidence that there is an increase.” The research is based on questionnaires that people had to complete. “It is known from the literature that self-reporting often deviates from the actual situation. In food allergies, which I have studied, self-reporting can even lead to a tenfold overestimation.”
If there is indeed an increase in the number of people with allergies, as the CBS study suggests, climate change could play a role, Houben thinks. “Trees bloom earlier today than ten years ago. This means that people can have hay fever complaints for a larger part of the year. Whether this also means that more people will become allergic has not been investigated, but it is conceivable.”
A classic explanation for the ‘allergy epidemic’ is the hygiene hypothesis. This means that people who grow up in a fairly sterile environment have a greater risk of developing an allergy than people who are exposed to a lot of bacteria and fungi as children.
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Eczema
Renee Otten, allergist at the Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital (ETZ) in Tilburg, prefers to talk about the biodiversity hypothesis, a further developed variant of the hygiene hypothesis. “During the first thousand days of your life, your body is colonized with microorganisms. The way you are born, via caesarean section or naturally, influences this, but also what you eat, the air you breathe and whether you have had antibiotic treatments. The richer the diversity of bacteria in your intestines and on your skin, the smaller the chance of an allergy.” According to her, this may explain why people in rural areas have allergies less often than city dwellers, as the CBS figures show.
Lonneke Landzaat, pediatric allergist at the ETZ, mentions a third explanation for the development of allergies: the barrier hypothesis. “If children have eczema, allergens (proteins that can cause an allergy, MC) can penetrate through the skin and irritate the immune system. We therefore recommend that parents of children with eczema give their offspring peanuts, eggs and nuts from an early age. As a result, the body learns to tolerate these nutrients and you reduce the risk of developing a food allergy.”
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According to CBS figures, women have allergies more often than men. “We also see that in practice,” says Otten. “We don’t know exactly why that happens. Research shows that women with asthma have more inflammatory cells in the lungs than men with the respiratory disease.”
The Rise of Allergies: What’s Going On?
So, it seems that more and more of us are sneezing, scratching, or trying to avoid those pesky allergy triggers! According to a recent study from CBS, the percentage of people claiming to have allergies has surged from 18% to 21% over the last decade. Ah, the joys of modern living! Who needs pollen when we have urban life to keep us entertained? But let’s break this down, shall we?
Who’s Allergic and Why?
Now, it appears that our lovely 25 to 35-year-olds are at the forefront of the allergy epidemic. They must be thinking, “Just when I thought adulthood couldn’t get any worse, I’ve developed a new set of problems—thank you, allergies!” Meanwhile, young children and the elderly are sitting back, sipping tea, and wondering why their friends are so sneezy. And here’s the kicker: women are more likely than men to suffer from allergies—although teenage boys seem to dominate the allergy game, which is another surprise twist, considering they can hardly master basic hygiene!
But wait, it gets better! Residents in urban areas report allergies at a rate of 24%, while those lovely rural folks are just having a breezy 17%. So, if you’re allergic to fresh air, it might be time to move to a farm. But alas, the grass might be greener—but the pollen won’t be!
What’s Behind This Allergy Outbreak?
Enter Professor Geert Houben, an immunotoxicologist and allergy expert. He’s all about the numbers—but don’t take them at face value! He points out that self-reporting often leads to overestimations. You know that friend who thinks they’re gluten intolerant because, well, they had a rough weekend? Yup. So maybe we’re not all allergic, just a bit negligent in our dietary choices after a night out!
Then there’s the climate change angle, with Houben noting that trees are blooming earlier nowadays. So thanks to global warming, we might be facing allergies for a more prolonged period. Just what we needed—an extended season of sniffling!
The Hygiene Hypothesis vs. Biodiversity
Now, here comes the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests that living in a dirt-free bubble can lead to allergies. Or, as I like to call it, the “Too Many Hand Sanitizers” syndrome. This might explain why rural dwellers are less prone to allergies—more muck, less allergic luck!
Allergist Renee Otten says the biodiversity hypothesis takes this further. It’s a complicated spin on the original theory, but the basic idea is that your body’s microbiome—essentially the bacteria party in your gut—needs variety. So if you’re living in a city, maybe it’s time to get dirty! Get out in the mud, roll around! Your immune system will thank you later!
Eczema: The Skin Situation
And let’s not forget about the eczema gang! Pediatric allergist Lonneke Landzaat explains that if kids have eczema, allergens can sneak in and wreak havoc on their immune systems. It’s like they live in a perpetual game of “Allergy Hide and Seek”—and they’re not winning. So, parents, are we feeding these kids peanuts and eggs early enough? Let’s start considering it because no one likes to grow up with food allergies!
The Gender Allergy Gap
Finally, according to CBS, it’s apparent that women are claiming the allergy crown more than men. Why is that? Well, there are theories! Research suggests that women with asthma might have more inflammatory cells in their lungs than men with the same issue. So, ladies, don’t let those pollen pieces rule your lives! Fight back with antihistamines, and let’s keep the battle going!
In conclusion, allergies might be skyrocketing, but through a mix of lifestyle changes, awareness, and perhaps embracing a little bacteria—or a lot!—we can manage our reactions. So get out there, breathe deep (just not near a blooming tree), and maybe—just maybe—let’s put down the hand sanitizer!
