Allergy Development

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"Allergy March"
 
The development of allergy in relation to age can be described as an "allergy march". This means that there is often a given direction, once atopic immune responses associated with IgE antibodies have been initiated and induced the atopic disease.
 
Many chronic asthmatics have a history of atopic dermatitis (eczema) and gastrointestinal disorders during the first year of life. Some of them also had wheezing episodes at this young age. Sensitivity to food in infants is often associated with appearance of allergy to inhalants later in life, although such inhalant allergy does not occur in every individual.
 
Specific IgE antibodies to food allergens in younger years constitute an early predictor for developing atopic disease and for IgE antibody production to inhalant allergens later in life (1-3).

References:

    1. Sasai K, Furukawa S, Muto T, Baba M, Yabuta K, Fukuwatari Y. Early detection of specific IgE antibody against house dust mite in children at risk of allergic disease. J Pediatr 1996;128:834-840.
    2. Saarinen M, Kajosaari M. Breastfeeding as prophylaxis against atopic disease: prospective follow-up study until 17 years old. Lancet 1995;346:1065-1069.
    3. Sigurs N, Hattevig G, Kjellman B, Kjellman N-I M, Nilsson L, Björkstén B. Appearance of atopic disease in relation to serum IgE antibodies in children followed up from birth for 4 to 15 years. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1994;94:757-763.