Allergies, an old problem with no sign of relief

Filed in archive Living with Allergies on July 6, 2010

© Christina's Play Place


While there are those that believe allergies are a modern phenomenon due to an evolved resistance to foods and environmental pollutants, allergies have been around for centuries. Hieroglyphics on Egyptian tablets have shown that the death of King Menes in 2641 B.C. was as the result of a hornet's sting. Galen (139-200 A.D.) described people who always sneezed in the presence of certain plants and flowers. Hippocrates stated that people who have a headache shouldn't be given milk.

It was Clemens Von Pirquet and Bela Schick, in 1906, that came up with the term allergy, meaning an altered reaction - regardless of what caused the reaction.

Today, centuries after allergies were first recognized, the common sufferer still has no respite. Over-the-counter remedies are plentiful but they only provide a short relief, and, the costs are so high that ongoing regular use can be prohibitive for many.

For people who suffer seasonal allergies they can be effected from spring until fall with pollen and grasses and, at the same time be so sensitized during these times that dusts, animal dander, and perfume can also impact them.

Allergy medication is a multi billion dollar industry. Whichever pharmaceutical company comes up with the perfect cure will be a big winner.