Why do we need a new definition of allergens?
A new understanding of our immune system
Frequently, allergens are defined as harmless environmental substances that trigger the immune system to produce an inappropriate reaction or overreaction. Allergic individuals react with the formation of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. We believe that this definition is no longer accurate and conforms only to the perspective of conventional medicine. Since the causes of allergies are now known, a new definition for allergens is also required.
New Definition of allergen
Properly defined, an allergen is a foreign substance, usually a protein or a protein compound, which has penetrated the skin or mucous membrane of the body and causes an immune system response with production of IgE antibodies (Immunoglobulin E). The allergen, when outside the body, is a harmless substance but, when it penetrates the skin barrier, it becomes an enemy that is violently attacked.
What makes an allergen an allergen?
A substance only becomes an allergen when it passes through the skin. This area has been greatly neglected in scientific research. In some areas it is relatively obvious, such as bee stings, jelly fish or the prick test, whereby there is the destruction of the skin by mechanical means and the injection of the allergen into the body. Only when the allergen has penetrated the skin does the immune system respond. The allergen is no longer a harmless substance but a foreign protein that has no place in the body. The immune system responds perfectly correctly with a violent reaction.
Molecular holes
Allergens are readily soluble in water and are generally very, very small. Their size is crucial to ensuring that they can pass through the molecular holes in our skin that form when the tight junctions between the skin cells are destroyed. Killer enzymes cause the breakdown of the tight junctions and they can have their destructive effect in three areas: the outer skin, mucous membranes and the intestinal lining. The resulting holes cannot be seen with the naked eye and are only identified by the development of allergic symptoms.
The allergen alone is (not) a trigger
Most allergens are not a trigger because they cannot penetrate healthy skin. I have an allergy to grass pollen but, because of my lifestyle and compliance with all of the rules for eliminating the causes of allergies, I can remain symptom free in areas with a high pollen count. There are exceptions to this, however, and here on body-network.com we will address the risks of those working in hazardous environments, such as bakers, doctors, hospital staff and workers in the production of detergents and enzymes.
