Hyper-clean may lead to allergies

NST: Better hygiene among Malaysians leading to an increase in allergic reactions?
Consultant allergy specialist Assoc Prof Dr Ranbir Kaulsay believes this could be the case.
He said the "hygiene hypothesis" among doctors stated that an overly sanitary lifestyle could eventually trigger allergies.
According to him, the dramatic increase in allergies among Malaysians from below five per cent in the 1960s to 30 per cent today was possible proof of the theory.
This could increase to 50 per cent by 2020, he added.
He said the hypothesis was based on the premise that when one of the immune system’s two biological defences weakened with fewer bacteria and viruses to fight, the other became stronger.
This is believed to lead to the defence system overreacting as an allergic reaction to harmless substances, including pollen.
Food allergies normally occur when the immune system mounts an attack on certain proteins in certain foods.
There is also a genetic component to allergies: they are mostly hereditary and passed on by parents to children.
"Allergic diseases are a major public health concern," Dr Ranbir, who is also Malaysian Society of Allergology and Immunology president, said in an interview on the sidelines of the 7th Malaysian Congress and Exhibition on Allergy and Immunology, which ended today.
He said the 50 per cent figure could become reality if allergies were not better managed. Also, treatment costs were increasing annually.
Currently, one in three Malaysians has an allergy ranging in intensity from mild to severe. In babies, the most common are related to food like cow’s milk and eggs.
"Mites are the main cause of eczema (skin allergy) and asthma," he added.
Severe allergies include reactions to insect venom and certain foods, which can cause swelling of the mouth, lips, a worrying dip in blood pressure and breathing difficulties.