BEING allergic to something is not pleasant, as the experience can range from annoying to life-threatening – and over the years people have claimed in books and online that people can be cured of their allergies.
Is this true?
VERDICT:
FALSE
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for any sort of allergies. However, this does not mean that that is the end of the road for those with allergies.
To back up a little, an allergy is a hypersensitive immune system reaction and Malaysian Society of Allergy & Immunology (MSAI) president Dr Amir Hamzah Abdul Latiff says that there are several broad categories of allergies.
"When we talk about an allergy we are talking about eczema, food allergies, allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma,” he said.
Dr. Amir Hamzah then said that in children, asthma tends to be due to some form of allergy due to something in their environment – either indoors or outdoors.
He added that while between 30% and 40% of the world's population has an allergy, Malaysia is heading towards a similar percentage as we become a developed nation.
On allergies themselves, one can be allergic to a wide variety of substances – including pollen, animal dander, mold, dust, foods, insect venom, and latex.
When an allergic reaction happens, one would experience symptoms including itching, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and dizziness.
So, while there is no cure at the moment, researchers continue to investigate potential therapies which could one day bring about a cure for allergies.
Individuals can treat their allergy symptoms with medications, and take steps to reduce their exposure to the allergen causing the reaction.
At the end of the day, if you or someone you know could have developed an allergic reaction to certain substance, stay calm, consult a trusted doctor, and make the necessary lifestyle changes.
SOURCES:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8610-allergy-overview
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-allergies#is-there-a-permanent-cure
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/family/features/2011/07/06/causes-of-allergies
https://www.allergymsai.org/in-the-press-02.html
