Hygiene, Hookworm Factors In Allergies, Asthma

By Author: Steven Johnson
Total Articles: 494
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Corticosteroid sales have gone through the roof in the past decade, though they have been rising since their invention. This is in no small part due to the rapidly increasing count of people with asthma and various allergies, the reactions of which can be best treated with corticosteroids. However, corticosteroids are only used to control the symptoms, not prevent them or cure the condition in any way. This is glaringly obvious when you see the statistics:

* 34.1 million asthma sufferers in the United States
* 70% of asthma sufferers also have allergies
* 10.1 million work days a year are missed due to asthma
* Asthma levels rising rapidly
* 54.6% of Americans have allergies

Explaining the Increase of Allergy, Asthma Rates

Allergies are sensitivities of the body to any specific thing that enters the body. The allergic reaction is the immune system's attempt to fight off the invader.

One of the most annoying, if not debilitating, allergies these days is caused by dust mites. They are also a huge contributing factor to asthma. The house dust mite (HDM) enjoys ...
... the stable environment of the modern human home as it eats dust, which is made up of nourishing human skin. The increase in dust mite allergies and asthma can be explained through the success of human climate control:

* Americans are able to maintain stable, warm homes year round - dust mites hate the cold too
* Wall-to-wall carpet is common in American homes, where HDM lives, and vacuuming does not stop them
* The increase of time spent indoors means more exposure to mites

Time spent indoors is also a factor in another common allergy-origin theory.
A complementary idea says that it is a lack of exposure to allergens during childhood that causes our bodies to see certain foods and pollens as threats. Because we spend so much time indoors, we simply are not exposed enough to the things that later cause allergic reactions.

If Hygiene is the Enemy, Are Hookworms the Cure?

Allergies and asthma are rare in rural traditional African communities. This evidence suggests that a mostly sterile environment prevents the immune system from exercising, which scientists call "the Hygiene Hypothesis". However, a more nuanced notion is perhaps now the leading theory on allergies all together.

Human bodies contain organisms that have been with us as we evolved, including mitochondria. Both humans and hookworms too have benefited from evolving together. Because hookworms are seen as intestine-munching parasites, we eradicate them. Did we have missed the fact that they regulate immune reactions?
Some people actually intentionally contract hookworm to fight allergies and asthma. One man even sells it, though not in the US. Helminthic therapy is even used to battle Crohn's Disease.

Are Hookworms for You?

To get hookworm, the easiest way is to walk through latrines in Africa. But please don't! Hookworms actually do pose a risk to your health and testing is needed before doctors know all the risks.

Prednisone, however, calms allergic reactions very well. Doctors know how Prednisone is safe to use it and can make sure you are safe. Prednisone works for just about any allergic reaction and is even available cheaply through online pharmacies.