Because of the city’s sunny, dry springs, Buffalonians are no strangers to allergies today. No one likes to spend the few warm months we have running to the box of tissues. However, if you do suffer from allergies, you’ll be happy to hear that according to recent research, your hay fever might actually be preventing you from developing cancer.
What’s the Link Between Toxins & Allergies Today?
The “Toxin Hypothesis” states that the rise in allergies today is a direct result of the increase in levels of pollution. There is a reason to believe that allergies have become significantly more prevalent since the onset of the Industrial Revolution and so many scientists have come to theorize that there is a connection between the toxins in the environment and the development of allergies. As it stands, scientists still don’t know exactly what allergies are or what exactly causes them, but the Toxin Hypothesis is one of the more plausible explanations.
What’s the Link Between Immunoglobulin E & Allergies Today?
Scientists originally believed that Immunoglobulin E protected the body from parasites. However, they’ve since found out that the body can fight off parasites without the help of this peculiar antibody. A new study conducted by Imperial College London states that Immunoglobulin E, IgE, may protect the body against toxins and dangerous UV radiation.
The group of scientists found that whenever the skin is exposed to harmful chemicals, IgE travels to the site and prevents the cells from becoming cancerous. However, it may also accumulate at the surface of the skin if the body is exposed to a potentially dangerous substance, i.e. an allergen. While the allergen may not actually be toxic, your body is responding as if it were potentially carcinogenic.
What Does This Research Mean for Patients?
Patients suffering from allergies today have numerous treatment options: from over-the-counter drugs to nasal sprays to immunotherapy, there’s no end to forms of relief. However, this promising study opens up several new channels to explore. Not only does it support the Toxin Hypothesis, but it also points to potential treatments for skin cancer.