| About 50 million people in the United States suffer | | | | Africa have 50% less incidence of allergies than |
| from some form of allergy and asthma. The | | | | richer countries. Researchers observed that |
| most common allergies are to dust, mildew, milk, | | | | children living on farms in Germany and Austria, |
| food, nuts, latex, insects (especially bee stings), | | | | where they drank raw milk and were in contact |
| animal dander, pollen, tobacco smoke, aerosols, | | | | with the soil and fertilizers, had 75% fewer |
| paint, perfumes, cleaning products or other strong | | | | allergies than children who lived in cities. In another |
| odours or fumes. Some allergies are seasonal, | | | | research study, it was found that 480 cadets of |
| such as an allergy to ragweed pollen. Other | | | | the Italian Air Force had fewer instances of |
| allergies extend throughout the year. Children | | | | respiratory diseases if, as children, they had been |
| whose parents suffer from allergies are 70% | | | | exposed to microbes transmitted through dirty |
| more likely to have the same allergies than | | | | water and meals cooked in this water. Scientists |
| children who have parents without allergies. | | | | have suggested that the suppression of childhood |
| There are a number of medications that people | | | | illnesses, such as measles, mumps and diseases |
| can take for their allergy symptoms. There are | | | | caused by viruses and worms, does have a |
| both over the counter medicines and those | | | | downside. The immunologic system of children in |
| prescribed by a physician. These include nasal | | | | developed countries seems to become idle. |
| sprays, antihistamines, corticosteroids, | | | | These observations led to the development of |
| decongestants, homeopathic medicines, | | | | the hygienical hypothesis. This suggests that the |
| non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, Cromolyn, | | | | exposure to microbes in infancy strengthens the |
| Nedocromil, theophylline, leukotrienes, and long | | | | lymphocytes, the white blood cells that defend |
| acting beta antagonists. There are also allergy | | | | the body against infection. The hypothesis |
| shots. The medicines or their dosages may need | | | | contends that children who have incidences of flu |
| to be changed if allergy conditions are not | | | | in the first years of their life seem to tend to |
| improved. | | | | develop fewer allergies than those who did not. |
| Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from | | | | Acceptance of the hygienical hypothesis is |
| asthma. This includes nearly 9 million children under | | | | growing in the medical community. This has led to |
| the age of 18. According to the American Lung | | | | changes in the way some parents raise their |
| Association, asthma is 39% higher in African | | | | children. Instead of not allowing children to walk |
| Americans than in whites. In the United States, | | | | bare-footed, have contact with animals or bathe |
| 5,000 people die each year from the disease. | | | | in tap water, they are doing the opposite. As well, |
| Children with asthmatic parents have a 40% | | | | they have come to the conclusion that better |
| likelihood of developing asthma. As well, females | | | | diets and less medicine are needed. It is hoped |
| are 35% more likely than males to have asthma. | | | | that doing these things will prevent the |
| It has been observed that the underprivileged | | | | development of allergies and asthma later on. |
| populations of Eastern Russia, India, Indonesia and | | | | |