The "Farm Effect" and allergies.

[bobcat]

Health studies have discovered that the Amish have far fewer allergies than the rest of the population. They set out to find the reason, and it seems to be that children from a young age are exposed to farm atmosphere, barns, and livestock. Apparently, the young immune system gradually adjusts to stimulants that can trigger allergies, and it is trained to react slowly or mildly instead of rapidly.

Since most people don't have farms, barns and a variety of animals, scientists are now trying to see if some sort of nasal spray or inhaler could be used to simulate that atmosphere. It's a wild idea, but considering how many people suffer from allergies, and the cost in medications, perhaps it could be a way to sidestep a lifetime of dealing with the misery.

 

[hollydolly]

Health studies have discovered that the Amish have far fewer allergies than the rest of the population. They set out to find the reason, and it seems to be that children from a young age are exposed to farm atmosphere, barns, and livestock. Apparently, the young immune system gradually adjusts to stimulants that can trigger allergies, and it is trained to react slowly or mildly instead of rapidly.

Since most people don't have farms, barns and a variety of animals, scientists are now trying to see if some sort of nasal spray or inhaler could be used to simulate that atmosphere. It's a wild idea, but considering how many people suffer from allergies, and the cost in medications, perhaps it could be a way to sidestep a lifetime of dealing with the misery.

it's funny you should mention this.. because in this last 3 weeks while i've been seeing more doctors and medical staff than ever in my life... they always ask me if I'm allergic to anything.. and more than once have acted surprised that at 70 years old..I don't...

It seems the vast majority of peope have one allergy or more...

 

[Cornhusker]

When I was young, I suffered from "Hay Fever" which made working in the hay fields miserable.
I started helping in the hay fields at 12 years old and did that as a summer job for 5 or 6 years.
As I got older, I kind of got over it, and now the only allergy I have is penicillin.

 

[bobcat]

It worked for me as well. I grew up in the country, and we had a couple cows, a horse, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and even a goat.
I don't have any allergies, but cause and effect can always be so hard to connect. There may be exceptions, but overall, the concept makes sense to me. The immune system is being trained at a young age, so it probably responds to it's environment.

 

[JustDave]

I'm blowing my nose right now, and have been since February. I don't know why.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

The Amish sprang from a rather small Swiss sect. They are a closed society, and have known genetic tendencies, like schizophrenia. That may account for their fewer allergies.

 

[Imogene]

Health studies have discovered that the Amish have far fewer allergies than the rest of the population. They set out to find the reason, and it seems to be that children from a young age are exposed to farm atmosphere, barns, and livestock. Apparently, the young immune system gradually adjusts to stimulants that can trigger allergies, and it is trained to react slowly or mildly instead of rapidly.

Since most people don't have farms, barns and a variety of animals, scientists are now trying to see if some sort of nasal spray or inhaler could be used to simulate that atmosphere. It's a wild idea, but considering how many people suffer from allergies, and the cost in medications, perhaps it could be a way to sidestep a lifetime of dealing with the misery.

I am going to respectfully disagree and debate those health studies

I was raised on a dairy farm with cattle, workhorses, chickens, pigs, all the manure to go with those animals and a huge garden to attend. Dessert was whatever fruits were available on the vine or on the tree in the season.

I did not have allergies.

A young man I went to school with had hayfever so bad, his parents had to get prescription medicine for him or his eyes would swell shut. He was also on a dairy farm, but no chickens, horses or pigs. Just a lot of cows and a big bull that you did not want to look cross eyed at.

also, the paternal side of both our families where of the same ethnic background.

so there we were two kids raised in the same identical environment, same ethnic background paternally. one had hayfever so bad he could his eyes would swell shut, and even though I had nearly died from rheumatic fever as a toddler and had had all sorts of medicine shoved down my throat. I never developed any allergies.

Until I moved to middle Tennessee when I was 50-some years old. Middle Tennessee is considered the basin and my vet calls it allergy purgatory. There are different types of vines and weeds down here that we didn’t have up home in Northeast Ohio. I wasn’t used to them and evidently I am still trying to get used to, but it isn’t anything that I can’t tolerate as long as I don’t put my nose down and it starts to run

well, I am sure there is a lot of truth to the health studies statements, having lived in that environment, and having had a friend who lived in the same environment 5 miles away, I can accurately say their theory is not 100% take it to the bank as being accurate.

 

[bobcat]

I am going to respectfully disagree and debate those health studies

I was raised on a dairy farm with cattle, workhorses, chickens, pigs, all the manure to go with those animals and a huge garden to attend. Dessert was whatever fruits were available on the vine or on the tree in the season.

I did not have allergies.

A young man I went to school with had hayfever so bad, his parents had to get prescription medicine for him or his eyes would swell shut. He was also on a dairy farm, but no chickens, horses or pigs. Just a lot of cows and a big bull that you did not want to look cross eyed at.

also, the paternal side of both our families where of the same ethnic background.

so there we were two kids raised in the same identical environment, same ethnic background paternally. one had hayfever so bad he could his eyes would swell shut, and even though I had nearly died from rheumatic fever as a toddler and had had all sorts of medicine shoved down my throat. I never developed any allergies.

Until I moved to middle Tennessee when I was 50-some years old. Middle Tennessee is considered the basin and my vet calls it allergy purgatory. There are different types of vines and weeds down here that we didn’t have up home in Northeast Ohio. I wasn’t used to them and evidently I am still trying to get used to, but it isn’t anything that I can’t tolerate as long as I don’t put my nose down and it starts to run

well, I am sure there is a lot of truth to the health studies statements, having lived in that environment, and having had a friend who lived in the same environment 5 miles away, I can accurately say their theory is not 100% take it to the bank as being accurate.

There will generally be exceptions to every study. Here is a link to one of the articles regarding the info I shared:
MSN

 

[hollydolly]

There will generally be exceptions to every study. Here is a link to one of the articles regarding the info I shared:
MSN

..as is there is in mine. What I failed to say in my earlier post was that I was raised in the city..... a very busy industrial city.... yet I don't have allergies.. nor do any of my siblings...neither did my parents or grandparents who also grew up in the city

 

[Teacher Terry]

Both allergies and eczema run on my dad‘s side of the family. I have both of those and my sister has allergies. Her allergies were horrendous when she was a small child and mine were mild. Now we have switched.

For me it really depends on what part of the country I live in. I lived in Kansas for 3.5 years and I was beyond miserable. My Allergist said that was one of the worst parts of the country to be in. He also said that if I stayed, I would develop asthma.

So I relocate to Nevada for a job and after being here for six years, I developed asthma. My doctor said if I moved back to Wisconsin, my asthma would most likely go away. There are two types of asthma and mine is caused by allergies. The older I get the worst they get.

I was raised with dogs and cats and now my allergies to both are bad unless I stick to a certain breed of dog like a Maltese or poodle and then I’m fine.

 

[Been There]

My nose runs every time I eat, no matter the food. It has become a mystery to my doctor. Not long after I begin eating, my nose starts running all through the meal. In some instances, as if I am on a date, it has been very embarrassing. I asked the doctor for an antihistamine that I could use only when I eat with others, but he refused saying, it would be best if I used it at least once a day and I refused.

 

[Imogene]

There will generally be exceptions to every study. Here is a link to one of the articles regarding the info I shared:
MSN

@bobcat That is an interesting report.

I was raised with Amish for neighbors. When I moved across the state line into PA, the Amish communities were about 30 miles away and the best equine tack shop on the planet was run by an Amish man.

The communities who were close by when I lived in PA, ran out of clean blood to reproduce; something that was becoming very obvious. It even made the county newspaper how they had to “arrange marriages” between our local Sect(s) and those in the Lancaster, Pa area.

Knowing what I know first hand, I have to wonder just how “fail safe” all these studies are - if they used a huge and widespread population, or just a few from certain Sects to get their numbers.

I am sure there’s a lot to be said for the purity of Amish foods — I lived for Saturday mornings to go to their stands and buy all sorts of healthy things to eat. If nothing else, those folks on the whole are as clean as can be. Even my garage waxing floor mom had to admit that.

Eons, ago a newspaper editor told me to never forget that “Freedom of the press belongs to those who own it “; meaning I do cast a slight shadow of doubt on what these articles state, because they can slant anything to make themselves look good

 

[AnnieA]

There are similar benefits for children raised with indoor pets.

Get a Pet To Boost Your Child’s Immune System

.

 

[Sunny]

Couldn't their immunity also be at least due to something genetic, because of their close-knit communities and probably a lot of intermarriage?

 

[bobcat]

@bobcat That is an interesting report.

I was raised with Amish for neighbors. When I moved across the state line into PA, the Amish communities were about 30 miles away and the best equine tack shop on the planet was run by an Amish man.

The communities who were close by when I lived in PA, ran out of clean blood to reproduce; something that was becoming very obvious. It even made the county newspaper how they had to “arrange marriages” between our local Sect(s) and those in the Lancaster, Pa area.

Knowing what I know first hand, I have to wonder just how “fail safe” all these studies are - if they used a huge and widespread population, or just a few from certain Sects to get their numbers.

I am sure there’s a lot to be said for the purity of Amish foods — I lived for Saturday mornings to go to their stands and buy all sorts of healthy things to eat. If nothing else, those folks on the whole are as clean as can be. Even my garage waxing floor mom had to admit that.

Eons, ago a newspaper editor told me to never forget that “Freedom of the press belongs to those who own it “; meaning I do cast a slight shadow of doubt on what these articles state, because they can slant anything to make themselves look good

Well, the study wasn't done by the news agency, or even funded by them, so I don't think that's an issue here.
I can provide the link to the study if you like, but be warned it will make your head explode. It is very in-depth.

 

[bobcat]

Couldn't their immunity also be at least due to something genetic, because of their close-knit communities and probably a lot of intermarriage?

It's possible, but that's not what the study found. The study was very lengthy, but here is the results and conclusion.

Results​

Twelve carrier proteins of animal and plant origin, including the bovine lipocalins Bos d 2 and odorant binding protein, were enriched in DEs from protective European cowsheds. A potent asthma-protective fraction of Amish cowshed DEs (≈0.5% of the total carbon content of unfractionated extracts) contained 7 animal and plant proteins, including Bos d 2 and odorant binding protein loaded with fatty acid metabolites from plants, bacteria, and fungi.

Conclusions​

Animals and plants from traditional farms produce proteins that transport hydrophobic microbial and plant metabolites. When delivered to mucosal surfaces, these agents might regulate airway responses.
-----------------------------------

An interesting side note: More than 150 years ago, hay fever was known as an “aristocratic disease,” almost wholly confined to the upper classes of society. Farmers appeared relatively immune.

 

[Teacher Terry]

A few years ago, I was making excessive ear wax to the point that I needed to have my ears irrigated every month and of course that’s not healthy for anybody.

So I went to an ENT and she said the problem was my allergies and she prescribed a nose spray. Now I only need to have my ears cleaned out every four months. In addition to the nasal spray, I take over-the-counter allergy pill. And a prescription pill that is for asthma, but they prescribed it to me for my allergies.

I still blow my nose more than anybody else on the planet I think. the ENT said she’s only met one person worse than me making earwax since she’s been practicing.

 

[HoneyNut]

I remember reading a long time ago that younger siblings had less allergies and it was supposed to be due to more exposure to dirt in the house. (I'm not sure if the implication was the older siblings make the house dirtier or if the more exhausted mom leaves the house dirtier.)

 

[Nathan]

Health studies have discovered that the Amish have far fewer allergies than the rest of the population. They set out to find the reason, and it seems to be that children from a young age are exposed to farm atmosphere, barns, and livestock. Apparently, the young immune system gradually adjusts to stimulants that can trigger allergies, and it is trained to react slowly or mildly instead of rapidly.

Since most people don't have farms, barns and a variety of animals, scientists are now trying to see if some sort of nasal spray or inhaler could be used to simulate that atmosphere. It's a wild idea, but considering how many people suffer from allergies, and the cost in medications, perhaps it could be a way to sidestep a lifetime of dealing with the misery.

Makes sense. I had many allergies growing up, the Allergy Dept. tested me and made up a serum with which they administered to me desensitization shots, with the goal of lessening my allergic response.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Makes sense. I had many allergies growing up, the Allergy Dept. tested me and made up a serum with which they administered to me desensitization shots, with the goal of lessening my allergic response.

When I lived in Kansas, I got allergy shots and they were not helping. Then one day I had a really bad reaction and trouble breathing, and that was the last one I took.

When I moved to Nevada, I went to an allergist and he made his own allergy drops that work in the same way as allergy shots, but weren’t strong enough to cause a life-threatening reaction. My insurance would not pay for them because they were considered off label usage. They were expensive and I paid for them for about 10 years until I finally had to admit that they weren’t helping either.

 

[Disgustedman]

Health studies have discovered that the Amish have far fewer allergies than the rest of the population. They set out to find the reason, and it seems to be that children from a young age are exposed to farm atmosphere, barns, and livestock. Apparently, the young immune system gradually adjusts to stimulants that can trigger allergies, and it is trained to react slowly or mildly instead of rapidly.

As a child, we had parakeets, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, hooded rats, ferrets and a cockatiel......Yes, I have no allergies...

 

[Babs2u]

No allergies growing up. In more recent years I seemed to react to either grass or tree pollen about the first week of May. I didn't notice anything this year. Maybe I have outgrown it.

 

[Imogene]

Well, the study wasn't done by the news agency, or even funded by them, so I don't think that's an issue here.
I can provide the link to the study if you like, but be warned it will make your head explode. It is very in-depth.

Thanks but I will pass. My head is close enough to exploding with things I have to deal with ATM lol lol

Even though reading your link might be the better option, my brother will be here Monday and that means if I don’t start cleaning now I’ll be in big trouble.

 

[MoBeans]

Makes sense. Native Americans used to feed their children tiny amounts of poison ivy from birth. When they reached adulthood they were not allergic to it. That's why its good to let kids play in the dirt. It's nice to see science rediscovering this stuff.