For around 20 per cent of us, nature’s annual awakening comes with side effects: Runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
Some are so troubled by pollen allergies that they have to stay indoors when the pollen count is at its highest.
The problem is affecting more and more people. The percentage of those with allergies has increased dramatically from around 1 per cent at the beginning of the 20th century to 15-20 per cent today, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Even though allergies are very common, there is still much we don’t know about their underlying causes. However, our theories are more reliable today than before, says Martin Sørensen, senior physician at the University Hospital in North-Norway.
“We know that genetics play a significant role. Allergies often run in families,” he tells sciencenorway.no.
But genetics alone do not explain everything, such as the dramatic increase in the prevalence of allergies.
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“We now see that the bacteria in our gut, on our skin, and in our mucous membranes are crucial for the development of the immune system, especially in young children,” says Sørensen.
“And our Western lifestyle over the past 40 to 50 years has led to a decline in these beneficial bacteria.”
This, Sørensen believes, might be a key factor in why our immune systems are maturing improperly, leading to a surge in various immune-related conditions like allergies, autoimmune diseases, and even obesity.
