The comfort of modern societies is conducive to allergies!
The increase in asthma and allergic diseases in western countries is not unrelated to our change of lifestyle. Explanations with Prof. Gabrielle Pauli CHU Strasbourg.
The boom of allergies in Western societies there is the downside of our comfort?
1. Indoor allergens and habitat: the dangerous liaisons
Prof. Pauli1 and recalls “Several studies have shown an increased prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases such as rhinitis and eczema in many countries. The temperature rise inside the housing , decreased ventilation and the increased presence of pets have probably resulted in higher exposure to the domestic environment pneumoallergènes. According to the allergist, exposure to these allergens would have consequences for people genetically predisposed. It would be a risk factor for sensitization and, in some cases, the onset of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and asthma.
Biological pollution of the habitat and include mites, animal allergens, molds and those more rare as the ficus or food for fish. For each of these allergens, indoor environment affects via the humidity, lack of ventilation, the presence of animals or cockroaches, overcrowding in housing or poor hygiene. The eviction of allergens in the indoor environment can improve the lives of patients. An environmental consultant can play a part in this great role2.
2. Significant geographic disparities
But one place to another, the frequency of allergies vary greatly. Sensitization to cockroaches are low in France compared to the United States. In the Nordic countries, the mites are more difficult to grow but the reactions to pets are in the foreground.
The main outdoor allergens include mold and pollen in the foreground grasses.To learn more about the geographical and seasonal variations, discover our “Beware allergens!”
Finally in the workplace, many irritants, allergens or chemicals are often factors of occupational asthma or rhinitis. National Observatory have identified the main flour, isocyanates (used in the manufacture of plastics), latex, or certain disinfectants products used in the middle of the salon.
3. Deleterious or protective factors
Various studies have highlighted that asthma and allergic diseases are higher in rich Western countries, high level of industrialization in the developing countries with large rural populations.The increase in diseases associated with atopy in children has been mainly attributed to a high level of air pollution, especially automobiles. Some household chemical pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and passive smoking) cause hypersensitivity allergens and lowering the threshold of response of those already sensitized.
Tags: Allergy