Autism and Allergies

Greetings Earthlings!

Leading on from my previous post about the immune system, this week I’d like to talk about the interesting link between autism and allergies.

I’ve developed a lot of allergies during my lifetime- sticking plaster, grass, common medicines, certain shampoos, perfumes and hand soaps, and according to my blood work, I’m a tiny bit allergic to cow hair😂 Interestingly, I recently found out that there is a link between autism and allergies.

Studies have shown that children with autism tend to have higher levels of IgE and IgG (immunoglobulin E and G)- the antibodies that are produced in response to allergens. Other studies have suggested that autists may be twice as likely to suffer from food allergies and that boys with autism have higher rates of respiratory and skin allergies than their neurotypical peers.

But first things first, what exactly are allergies and what’s happening to your body?

An allergy occurs when the immune system thinks that normally harmless foreign substances are a threat to the body. The immune system then attacks healthy tissues in an attempt to defend the body against that substance, inflaming them and resulting in an allergic reaction. Symptoms can vary but common reactions may include itching, rashes, sneezing, headaches, nausea and swelling. Severe allergic reactions can cause anaphylaxis- a life threatening reaction where the immune system floods the body with chemicals which can cause it to go into shock requiring an Epipen injection.

So why might autists be more prone to allergies?

As previously discussed, the immune system tends to be abnormally activated in autists resulting in higher levels of inflammation and autoimmune diseases, making the body more likely to overreact to a harmless substance. Why the immune system behaves this way remains unclear. As with most autistic co-morbidities, an unknown genetic mutation likely underpins it. Furthermore as I’ve discussed in previous posts, some theories suggest that dietary sensitivities may contribute to autistic symptoms. Given that autists are twice as likely to suffer from food allergies, it’s possible that these could in fact play a role in autism.

Hope you enjoyed this post dear Earthlings!

Have a lovely weekend! 🙂

Aoife