A piece of five-nut mooncake makes Europeans and Americans "annihilate". Are Chinese people not prone to allergies?

“Chinese people are not prone to allergies?”

Some time ago, there was a short video widely circulated on social platforms, claiming that a piece of five-nut mooncake can make Europeans and Americans "annihilate, but Chinese people are fine." From this, it can be concluded that Chinese people are not prone to allergies.

Rumor analysis: Not true.

We need to make it clear that allergies are not exclusive to any one race or country. In China, allergies are also widespread.

Allergy, in simple terms, is an overreaction of the human immune system to certain foreign substances, leading to a series of uncomfortable symptoms, such as itchy skin, redness and swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. These foreign substances are called allergens, and common allergens include pollen, dust mites, animal hair, food, drugs, etc.

Allergic diseases include allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and contact dermatitis.

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Allergies are common around the world

In life, we often hear the view that "Chinese people are not prone to allergies." This view is recognized by many people. Many people say that allergic diseases are more common in European and American countries, and compared with them, the proportion of Chinese people suffering from allergic diseases is much lower.

However, is this really the case? Are Chinese people really less susceptible to allergies?

It is true that people in Europe and America are more likely to suffer from allergic diseases. The results of an epidemiological survey of allergic diseases in 30 countries published by the World Allergy Organization show that approximately 40 to 50 million people in the United States have allergic problems, of which 39.5 million suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, 3 million are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and 400 people die each year from penicillin anaphylactic shock; acute urticaria affects the lives of 10% to 20% of Americans, and 50% of them have symptoms that last for more than 6 months.

Professor Torsten Zuberbier, Secretary General of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network and President of the European Foundation for Allergy Research, pointed out at the Chinese Academy of Allergy and International Forum on Chronic Disease Management of Allergic Diseases in July 2017 that allergic diseases are the most common chronic diseases in EU countries. In 2004, the prevalence of asthma among Europeans was 23%, which rose to 31% in 2017; if the statistics are expanded to all allergic diseases, the latest prevalence is 41%.

These data show that allergic diseases are a relatively common health problem in European and American countries. So, what is the situation in China?

A study published in the 3rd issue of 2023 by Allergy, the world's top journal in the field of allergy science, showed that in 2005, the average prevalence of allergic rhinitis in China was 11.1%, which rose to 17.6% in 2011. Currently, there are 250 million people suffering from allergic rhinitis in China. A study published in The Lancet in 2019 showed that the prevalence of asthma among people aged 20 and above in China was 4.2%, and the total number of adult patients reached 45.7 million.

In addition, when it comes to food allergies, there is basically no big difference between Chinese people of the same age and people in Europe and the United States. For example, wheat allergy is a common allergic reaction in China. Its daily reaction may not be too severe, but an acute reaction may cause shock or even death.

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We need to be clear that allergies are not exclusive to any one race or country. In China, allergies are also widespread, although they may not seem as obvious on the surface.

So the question is, why doesn't it seem so obvious on the surface? One possible reason is that desensitization is common in China, but many times we don't realize it.

Unconscious desensitization is also common

Some people think that allergies are not serious health problems, but just a minor annoyance occasionally. However, the hazards and risks brought by allergic diseases cannot be ignored. Allergic reactions not only cause physical discomfort to patients, but can even be life-threatening in severe cases. For example, severe anaphylactic shock may lead to dangerous situations such as cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. In addition, long-term allergies may also lead to immune system dysfunction and increase the risk of other diseases.

If allergies can be cured, it will be good news for many people. Among the methods of treating allergies, desensitization therapy is a common and effective method.

Desensitization therapy is simple to say. It means reducing the sensitivity of the immune system to allergens by gradually increasing the exposure to allergens. When the human body first comes into contact with allergens, the immune system will produce specific antibodies, which bind to mast cells and basophils, causing allergic reactions. The desensitization process is to expose the human body to allergens repeatedly, which is like repeatedly "educating" the immune system, so that the immune system gradually learns to ignore allergens, thereby reducing allergic reactions.

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Among them, exposure to allergens is the key to desensitization. By controlling the dose and exposure frequency of allergens, the immune system can be gradually adapted and desensitization can be achieved. Desensitization therapy is also the closest treatment to curing allergies so far.

Allergies can affect people of any age, not just adults, but also children and adolescents who are troubled by allergy symptoms. Since Chinese people generally have a low level of awareness and attention to allergies, many people may have been encouraged to adapt to foods or environments that cause discomfort during childhood, which inadvertently promotes desensitization to a certain extent.

Our culture’s emphasis on tolerance and adaptation may also accelerate the desensitization process. When faced with allergy symptoms, some people may choose to tolerate them rather than seek medical help. However, early identification of allergens and scientific control and treatment of allergies can help reduce long-term health problems.

Can I consciously desensitize myself?

Regular desensitization treatment needs to be carried out under the professional guidance of a doctor. Generally, allergen testing is performed first to determine the types of major allergens. Commonly used clinical testing methods include skin prick test, patch test, and serum specific IgE test. After clarifying the specific substance to which you are allergic, the doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment method.

Desensitization treatment generally includes two methods: injection of drugs and desensitization tablets. Generally, a preparation extracted from a certain allergen is used, and the allergen is injected or taken sublingually, in small to large doses, so that the allergen is repeatedly exposed to the patient's immune system, thereby improving the patient's tolerance to this type of allergen, thereby controlling and alleviating allergic symptoms.

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The desensitization process usually lasts from one year to several years, and requires a certain amount of patience and persistence. For example, patients who are allergic to cat hair may need injections twice a week for 3 to 5 years, and it may take one year for the desensitization to take effect. During this period, they must take oral medications whenever they come into contact with cats.

Someone asked, if you already know the specific allergens, can you consciously carry out desensitization treatment in your life?

It is not recommended to desensitize yourself. Therefore, before consciously undergoing desensitization treatment, you must communicate with a professional doctor, ask the doctor to make a judgment, and proceed under the doctor's guidance. And during the process of conscious desensitization, you must pay close attention to your physical condition and consult a doctor at any time when you feel unwell.

Allergy is not an insurmountable obstacle. By understanding allergies scientifically and adjusting lifestyles and using scientific desensitization treatments, we can effectively control and alleviate allergy symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Looking in the mirror of rumors

The diagnosis and treatment of allergies require the help of professional doctors, and understanding the distribution characteristics of allergies in the population requires professional epidemiological surveys. Relying solely on "assumptions" and "following the crowd" will not only lead us away from the truth of allergies, but also cause us to be exposed to allergens without knowing it due to negligence in protection.

Review丨Zhang Yu, researcher/PhD, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, national health science expert