Cape Town | Wednesday
ALLERGIES are on the increase in affluent western societies and environmental rather than genetic factors may be responsible.
This is according to allergy specialist Professor Cas Motala, who recently became the first South African to be elected an international fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Allergy and Immunology (AAAI).
Last year Motala became the first South African to be appointed director of the World Allergy Organisation IAACI. He is currently the senior specialist at the Allergy Clinic in the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and the University of Cape Town.
Motala said studies in the Western Cape had shown that approximately one in five children from middle-class to affluent families developed allergies, compared to one in 20 children from poorer backgrounds.
Factors associated with western living conditions include high socio-economic status, a diet consisting largely of processed foods, increased allergen exposure due to insulated housing conditions and reduced burden of infections in early life.
”When comparing children with the same socio-economic and genetic backgrounds from rural and urban communities, we found those living in an urban environment to be more prone to allergies,” Motala said.
He said children living in rural communities such as farms were often exposed to animal dander, livestock and poultry droppings and it appeared exposure to the bacteria present in these may help protect children against developing allergic diseases. The same applies to poorer communities living in urban areas.
Repeated studies had also shown an interesting, and consistent, link between the number of children in a family and the prevalence of allergies.
”An only child is more likely to develop an allergy, as are younger siblings in a large family.”
Motala said food allergies in children should not be taken lightly. Adult allergies such as hayfever, asthma and eczema have their roots in childhood allergies to food.
”For this reason, parents and health professionals should not dismiss food allergies in children as they could lead to more serious allergic conditions later in life.”
A link between pollen and certain food allergies known as the ”oral allergy syndrome” has also been established. The chances are that if an adult reacts to pollen, they could also experience an allergic reaction to certain foods such as bananas, melons, carrots, celery, potatoes, apple, hazelnuts and kiwi.
Motala said that allergy symptoms such as tingling sensations on the lips, tongue, palate and throat and a sensation in the ears soon after eating the ”offending” foodstuffs were typical of the oral allergy syndrome. These symptoms are usually short-lived.
The message is clear – allergies are not be sniffed at, particularly allergies to seafood and nuts which can be life-threatening. – Sapa