Understanding Allergies
Whether it is you who suffers, a relative, or one of your friends, allergies are very commonplace and a regular occurrence for many people of all ages. It may be a food allergy, seasonal allergies associated with pollen and plant matter, or an allergy to household substances such as dust mites and mold. Regardless, nobody likes allergies and the big thing on everyone’s mind who suffers is, “when will my allergies go away?”
Allergies are an immune response. Immune responses are triggered when a particle or substance enters the immune system which is perceived as foreign, and the system mounts an attack. The symptoms of this attack, or how the body responds are the outward allergy symptoms we tend to associate with allergies such as coughing, sneezing, sinusitis, or in some cases, anaphylactic shock
Because of the mechanism of reaction with allergies, getting rid of them is more complex than simply getting rid of a bacteria or getting rid of the cause of a disease: every time you are exposed to the trigger there is potential for an immune response. As such it is the immune system which has to change, not the allergen itself.
Addressing the immune system
Understanding the role of the immune system in allergies, begs the question, “what can I do in regards to my immunity to help reduce my allergies?” While in many cases and for several individuals, allergies will remain present for a lifetime, having a strong, healthy immune system is the first step in reducing your allergy symptoms. When your immune system is strong, it is more efficiently able to fight the allergen and this results in fewer symptoms for you. Here are some immunity strengthening techniques you can employ:
- Increase your intake of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Quercetin, and Vitamin E. All of these are prominent antioxidants, as well as are necessary in several immune reactions. You can find the first three in carrots, red pepper, and leafy greens, while Vitamin E is found in high doses in almonds.
- Make sure you are getting adequate sleep and managing your stress levels. High stress forces the immune system to work in overdrive trying to maintain the health of your body, while lack of sleep does not give your immune system enough time to do its own maintenance. A poorly maintained immune system is more vulnerable, and when exposed to the allergen will be less able to cope with an attack, causing a more severe outcome for you.
- Use natural immunity boosting methods: use essential oils, consume anti-inflammatory turmeric elixirs, reduce your intake of sugar and dairy, and regularly engage in physical activity to remain active.
What’s the verdict? Will allergies go away with age?
The reality is, that for most people wondering “do allergies go away with age?” the answer is no. They may decrease in severity, or reactions may become less frequent over time, but most sufferers will always be prone to reactions. Taking steps to boost immunity, removing the allergen from your environment as much as possible, and focusing on maintaining overall health are all good measures to help reduce your allergic reaction. Ultimately however, your immune system will always be primed to react if the conditions are right. At the end of the day, it’s not, “will my allergies go away with age?” but, “can I lessen my response and reaction to the allergens?” And for that part, you may indeed have success.
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