Complex Numbers

Another Month in the Past

Well, tomorrow I plan on going back to the 30DBC for September. We'll see how that goes.

So today's article is short on philosophy and long on speculation, but I thought it was interesting enough to share since this affects many people.

Also, since it's the end of the month, I'll do a Merit Badge Mini-Contest! Details below.

Why the world is becoming more allergic to food

The rise in allergies in recent decades has been particularly noticeable in the West. Food allergy now affects about 7% of children in the UK and 9% of those in Australia, for example. Across Europe, 2% of adults have food allergies.

Obviously the BBC is a Brit-focused site, so they didn't give stats for the US. I suspect it's about the same... at least in reality. When you lump in all the children whose parents just want them to be special, it's probably closer to 40%.

Naw, I just pulled that number out of thin air. I can't be arsed to look it up. But seriously, all the ones who are faking it (as with gluten intolerance, or getting some doctor to sign something that your vicious little yip-yip mutt is actually an emotional support animal) just make things worse for those with serious issues. I suppose as far as Munchausen's-By-Proxy goes, though, things could be worse.

While we can't say for sure why allergy rates are increasing, researchers around the world are working hard to find ways to combat this phenomenon.

Article is from last year, obviously. I'm betting the pace of the work has slowed somewhat.

The increase in allergies is not simply the effect of society becoming more aware of them and better at diagnosing them.

It is thought that allergies and increased sensitivity to foods are probably environmental, and related to Western lifestyles.

Well, then, we're boned.

There is no single explanation for why the world is becoming more allergic to food, but science has some theories.

Insufficient data to know if she's using "theories" in the scientific or colloquial sense. Given her credentials, I certainly hope it's the former.

One is that improved hygiene is to blame, as children are not getting as many infections.

Sounds like a bit of a trade-off to me, but what do I know?

Another idea is that vitamin D can help our immune system develop a healthy response, making us less susceptible to allergies. Most populations around the world do not get enough vitamin D for several reasons, including spending less time in the sun.

Not much you can do about that in the UK. But really, you tell people to slather on SPF60 sunscreen and then wonder why they have VitD deficiencies?

A newer, "dual allergen exposure" theory, suggests food allergy development is down to the balance between the timing, dose and form of exposure.

Well, that tracks with it being an immune response thing, but the article doesn't do enough, in my opinion, to explain why rates are increasing if that's the case.

I went over half a century without allergies. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one. When I spent some time in the hospital, I got asked about it all the time. The orderly: "Are you allergic to any medications?" Me: "No." Nurse: "Any allergies?" Me: "No." Doctor comes in. "Do you have any allergies?" "I'm allergic to repeating myself." They wheel me down the hall in a gurney. Janitor stops what he's doing: "Are you allergic to anything?" Me: *sigh*

I mean, this is a hospital that, one time, switched a couple of people's babies, and apparently people thought that was a Big Deal (having been adopted, I fail to see the problem), so I can understand them being thoroughly cautious, but fucking stamp it on my forehead or something, will ya? I'm having a heart attack over here; I got worse things to worry about than allergies.

So anyway, some years later, I tried a new brand of protein bar with something called "moringa" in it, and goddamn if I didn't break out in hives. I could feel my blood pressure plummet to something like 40/20. Okay, I don't know what my actual BP was, but the point is, it felt awful.

I can no longer say that I'm not allergic to anything, but unless they put moringa in my flu vaccine, I'm probably safe.

Merit Badge Mini-Contest!

Normally I relate these things to the topic, but I'm allergic to allergy talk. So, since it's the end of the month, I'll just ask:

This year has been utter shit. What are you hoping and/or fearing for September?

As usual, you have until midnight, when the calendar flips over to the new month. Just comment below. There's a Merit Badge going to whoever posts the comment I like best. Could be funny, serious, something in-between; I won't know what I like best until I see it.

Here's some inspiration. Or not. Up to you: