Allergies across Europe are on the rise and are no longer linked to specific locations or seasons. Indoor and outdoor pollutants, new products and substances, modern hygienic conditions, and stressful lifestyles, all contribute to the surge in allergies.
In westernised societies, more and more of us are spending most of our time indoors, where aggressive allergens are lurking. Allergies come in many guises: we may be allergic to insects, house dust mites, food, mould and even our pets.
Allergies are no longer confined to the countryside; living in urban environments, amid heavy pollution and with aggressive allergens, is contributing to a rise in the severity of allergy symptoms.
Indoor and outdoor airborne pollutants are important factors in the allergy epidemic, with a defined link between the increase in air pollution and the prevalence of allergic diseases. Air pollution does not only irritate the airways, it has also been shown to make allergens like pollen more aggressive.
Stressful lifestyles may influence our allergies, as may allergens recently introduced to this country. New foods, in the form of exotic fruits or nuts, can trigger allergic reactions. Pollen from ragweed, a plant common in the USA, which is now spreading rapidly throughout Europe, is partly responsible for the increase in allergic rhinitis.
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