Can Allergies Worsen Chronic Autoimmune Disease?

What role do allergies play in autoimmune conditions? Can allergies actually worsen other chronic conditions? Read more about their parallel connection, and how treating allergy may help reduce flare ups from autoimmune diseases. 

 Relation between autoimmune conditions and allergy 

To understand how the two are connected, it helps to understand what allergies and autoimmune disease do in the body.  

 With autoimmune diseases, the immune system accidentally attacks healthy tissues and organs in the body. It can be triggered by environmental factors, changes in hormones, foods, and can be passed down genetically. 

 There are over 80 different autoimmune diseases documented – psoriasis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. All are unique and can lead to long-term damage to organs and tissue. 

 Allergy, on the other hand, occurs when you breathe in or ingest an allergen, and the body mistakenly interprets it as harmful. The immune system responds by attacking the substance, and releases histamine to “fight against” the allergen. That leads to additional inflammation in the body – as well as typical allergy symptoms like itching and sneezing.  

 Role of allergens in autoimmune conditions 

Allergy is not an autoimmune disease, but it does impact the immune system, so those with an autoimmune disease may struggle when allergies are thrown into the mix. Here are a few of the big reasons why.  

 Activating the immune system 

When exposed to problematic allergens, the immune system gets activated to look for the threat. Since autoimmune diseases occur because of an overactive immune system, any “extra” activation can cause a flare up in symptoms.  

 Inflammation in the body 

Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are two examples of autoimmune diseases where inflammation can cause increased symptoms. The body’s response when exposed to allergens is to increase inflammation as “protection,” and can make the symptoms of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis worse. 

 Inflammation in the gut 

Breathing in allergens, as well as eating a problem food allergen, can inflame the gut -which is likely to exacerbate already debilitating symptoms for those with Crohn’s and Celiac disease.  

 Reducing allergies to reduce other symptoms 

Treating underlying allergies can help to reduce the overall inflammation and immune response in the body, which could help reduce autoimmune disease flare ups for some people.  

 Allergy drops following The La Crosse Method™ Protocol are a natural treatment that can be easily implemented into your healthcare routine. They contain a tiny amount of the allergens determined to be problematic via allergy testing. The amount of allergen is slowly and safely increased until, over time, the body learns to not react to the allergens when exposed naturally.  

 Many people experience reduced – or eliminated – allergy symptoms after successful treatment, leaving them less inflamed and the immune system less reactive. If you’re interested in seeing if this could benefit you, find a provider near you that offers treatment.  

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and potential joint damage.
 

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Often just called lupus, this condition can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs, leading to widespread inflammation and damage.
 

Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in high blood sugar levels and the need for insulin therapy.
 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A disease where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers (myelin) in the brain and spinal cord, leading to neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness, and balance issues.
 

Graves’ Disease: An autoimmune disorder that leads to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), causing symptoms like weight loss, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and eye problems.
 

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: In contrast to Graves’ disease, this condition causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), which can cause fatigue, weight gain, and depression.
 

Celiac Disease: A digestive disorder where the ingestion of gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine, leading to nutrient malabsorption and gastrointestinal symptoms.
 

Psoriasis: A skin condition where the immune system attacks healthy skin cells, causing patches of red, scaly, and sometimes painful skin.
 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):
 

• Crohn’s Disease: An autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. 

• Ulcerative Colitis: A related condition that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum, leading to symptoms like bloody diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.