Obesity’s Impact on Allergy

What connects obesity and allergy? Inflammation. Obesity is linked to chronic, low-grade inflammation; and when the body is exposed to allergens, it responds with even more inflammation.

With the increased inflammation that comes with obesity, it can exacerbate allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema. This study called Obesity and Selected Allergic and Immunologic Diseases explains the link and what can be done to reduce symptoms.

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis symptoms occur when pollen is inhaled, and the body responds by releasing histamine. The histamine causes inflammation and then symptoms like itching, watery eyes, congestion, and more begin.

Obesity can be a risk factor for allergic rhinitis in children, but it doesn’t seem to have an impact on adults. Because obesity can make changes to the immune system, it can exacerbate seasonal allergy symptoms in children.

Symptom relievers: The most common “fix” for allergic rhinitis is to take antihistamines daily during your problematic allergy season.

Allergic Asthma

When histamine is released, some bodies respond by tightening the airways, causing wheezing, cough, and chest tightness – this is considered allergic asthma. ‘Regular’ asthma, or having these symptoms without the exposure to allergy, is commonly related to obesity, and the severity is higher.

Because of the extra underlying inflammation in the body when someone is overweight, and the already high probability of asthma, allergic asthma can also be of concern.

Symptom relievers: Your provider may recommend an albuterol inhaler to manage symptoms, and antihistamines can also help.

Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is closely related to obesity in children and adults. The study states “obesity reduces the barrier function of the epidermis through increased blood pressure and increased sweating.” This can lead to the itchy, red, difficult-to-eliminate rashes that occur when exposed to allergens.

Symptom relievers: An over-the-counter antihistamine cream can help with itching, as well as prescription creams if necessary.

Treating Allergies

Besides temporarily holding off symptoms with symptoms relievers, there is an option to treat the root cause of allergy and stop symptoms completely – sometimes permanently. Allergychoices recommends allergy drops following The La Crosse Method™ Protocol because it trains the body not to respond with inflammation when exposed to allergens.

Allergy drops contain tiny amounts of the allergens that make you sick, and the strength is gradually and safely increased as you become more tolerant. Over time, the body learns to not react when exposed to the allergens naturally, and symptoms are reduced – or even eliminated. This is true for allergic conditions like asthma and eczema, too.

Find a provider near you that offers allergy drops to start the path to stop suffering for good.