It is reported that more than 50 million people in America suffer from seasonal allergies with uncomfortable symptoms like running and itching nose, itching eyes and constant sneezing. It has also been estimated that allergies can costs the American economy as much as $7 billion every year. However, have you ever heard of something so bizarre as childhood stress leading to allergies in later stages of life?
A study carried out by the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Germany claims that childhood stress can contribute effectively towards developing allergies in later life.
How Does Childhood Stress Lead to Allergies?
Scientists studied as many as 234 six year old kids. It is revealed that kids who suffered higher levels of stress in their childhood days, that is pertaining to shifting houses or regarding kids from separated parents showed higher levels of VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide) in their blood.
VIP is a stress related “neuropeptide“ which messes with the regulation of immune responses. Though it is yet to be ascertained as to why stress leads to allergies in later years, this study shows a distinct connection between allergies and higher neuropeptide VIP.
Earlier efforts also sought to establish connections between lifestyle and its impact on the immune system development in early childhood that could increase the risk of allergies in later years of life.
What Kinds of Childhood Stress Do Kids Face?
Experts opine that undergoing stressful situations can increase a child’s risk towards developing — asthma or allergic skin disorders in later life. For kids anything as simple as shifting locations or house or the illness of a relative or closed one can result in “stress“.
Experts maintain that the results need further scrutiny because few kids were taken into consideration. However, the study is careful reminder of how stress can affect kids in a big way. The study also suggests how an internal and/or emotional factor such as stress can case allergies apart from the more obvious factors like pollen, pollution, pets, etc.
Now, you have reason to stop and think whether you need to shift locations immediately or not and to ensure that your kids are away from the trauma and pain of seeing any member of their family suffer from any illness.
