Is It an Allergy or Sensitivity? Why This Approach Is Keeping People Sick
By Patrick Flynn, DC
When I was a kid, I didn’t know anyone with food allergies. It seemed like they came out of nowhere. However, once I understood what food allergies are and how they present, affect the body, and disrupt function, educating patients about food allergies became a huge factor in the success of their care. Many patients would ask me the difference between an allergy and a sensitivity. I knew where they were going. The general consensus is that sensitivities aren’t so bad, and they could “cheat.” I disagree.
The Current Allergy Epidemic
According to the CDC, referencing a study published in 2023, 31.8% of adults in the United States were diagnosed with an allergy.1 Additionally, 27.2% of American children under the age of 18 were diagnosed with allergies.2
Think about the time and money invested in 4.1 million physician visits where the primary health challenge was allergic rhinitis.3
Food allergies affect approximately one in 13 children in the United States, with peanuts, milk, shellfish, and tree nuts being the most common allergens.4 I would argue that it is more than that. Why? Keep reading.
In the previously cited studies, allergies were divided into three varieties: food, eczema, and seasonal. In reality, food and seasonal factors are triggers, and eczema is a response. I’m already struggling with their presentation of this information.
Immunology of Allergies
I love immunology. Let’s look at what is actually happening. Allergies occur when the immune system launches an exaggerated response to a foreign substance, such as pollen, mold, pet dander, or certain foods. The response involves a complex interplay of cells and proteins. The body stages a response (adapting) to what is presented to it, which is what a healthy body does.
Allergy concerns and discomforts can vary widely and affect different parts of the body for each person. Most people recognize symptoms like breathing problems, swollen lymph nodes, red and swollen eyes, hives, itchy sensations, and sneezing. Reactions can range from mild to life-threatening, with anaphylaxis being the most severe form that just about everyone takes seriously.
What about some of the other concerns that may seem less obvious? Mental fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, abdominal bloating, skin rashes, coughing, loose bowels, asthma, and intestinal cramping? Would your patients recognize these as potential allergy responses? Or are they simply sensitivities?
Sensitivities and Allergies: Understanding the Connection
It is essential to clarify that there is no difference between “sensitivities” and allergies; they are all immune responses. A fundamental understanding is crucial for accurately helping patients navigate these concerns. Hypersensitivity reactions fall into four different categories or types: Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV. Each of these classifications involves different antibody or immunoglobulin responses, but they all represent types of allergies.
Types of Reactions
Type I: This is the most well-known type involving an immediate IgE antibody response to an allergen. Concerns may include watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, skin reactions, shortness of breath, and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Type II: This involves IgG and IgM antibody responses, leading to cell damage. This reaction could look like earaches, mood swings, fatigue, dark circles under the eyes, asthma, skin problems, headaches, brain fog, and sinus issues.
Type III: This type involves immune complex-mediated reactions with IgG, IgM, and sometimes IgA antibodies. Reactions may overlap with Type II hypersensitivity; food allergies can also result from Type III reactions.
Type IV: Also known as delayed-type hypersensitivity, it involves T-cell reactions and inflammatory cytokine release, leading to tissue damage. Concerns may include skin rash, poor lung function, and digestive disturbances.5
The Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis
Dr. Cezmi A. Akdis, director of the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, published a paper in 2021 on the epithelial barrier hypothesis in Nature Reviews: Immunology. This hypothesis suggests that a defective epithelial barrier, which includes the skin, gastrointestinal tract lining, and airway lining, is linked to the increase in allergic and autoimmune diseases.6 When that barrier is weak, it allows for increased exposure to allergens and pathogens, triggering immune hypersensitivity reactions.
Contributing Factors to Allergies
Several factors (the three Ts) can contribute to the increase in allergies. Physical traumas, such as birth, injuries, and surgeries, can impact immune function. Toxic exposures from processed foods, mold, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals weaken the epithelial barrier and can trigger immune responses. One of the biggest impacts on health, chronic stress, and negative thinking can affect immune responses in some of the most detrimental ways. Chiropractic philosophy suggests we consider all of these factors when we have patients struggling with allergies.
Addressing Allergies as a Chiropractor
Today’s medical approach to allergies often involves testing for IgE antibodies and recommending treatments such as decongestants, nasal sprays, steroids, and immunotherapy. While these treatments can alleviate symptoms, they do not address and restore proper function. Once patients stop taking them, they are generally in the same position, sometimes worse due to the continued immune response.
Testing for food allergies, gut health, and immune responses can provide significant insights into how the body is adapting and why the patient is experiencing allergic responses. Comprehensive testing — stool tests, immune response panels, and food allergy tests that include more than just IgE responses — can identify underlying issues and help you develop a personalized health restoration plan for your patient.
Conclusion
Chiropractors can help their patients see great clinical results when they look at allergies from a different perspective. By understanding the immunology behind allergic reactions, recognizing “sensitivities” as allergies, and addressing the factors contributing to the immune reaction, we can support patients with allergies and help them restore a vibrant life.
Dr. Patrick Flynn is a chiropractor and the founder of The Wellness Way. He is a highly sought-after speaker and best-selling author with educational training from numerous learning institutions including Palmer College of Chiropractic, The University of Wisconsin Green Bay, 111 The University of Wisconsin Marinette, Scott College, Northwestern Health Sciences University and National University of Health Sciences. His network is now comprised of over 60 clinics seeing people from around the world.
References
AskUSDA. How many Americans have food allergies? [Internet]. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Agriculture. Available from: https://ask.usda.gov/s/article...
Marwa K, Kondamudi NP. Type IV hypersensitivity reaction. [Updated 2023 Aug 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/b...
