The Rise of Allergies and the Immune System’s Role

Allergies are more common today than ever before. It can be noticed through sneezing in spring, itchy skin flare-ups, or reacting to certain foods. More than 1 in 5 people deal with allergic symptoms regularly. 

Recent studies suggest that the health of your gut microbiome, the community of bacteria living in your digestive system, can play a big role in how your body reacts to allergens. 

In this blog, we’ll look at what the research says, why it matters, and how you can support your immune system with the help of the right supplements.

What Happens During an Allergic Reaction

Allergies start when your immune system mistakes something harmless, like pollen or peanuts, for a threat. To fight back, your body releases chemicals like histamine that cause swelling, itching, sneezing, or worse. These reactions are designed to protect you, but in allergies, they go overboard.

Some people are more sensitive than others, and the reason may lie in how their immune system was shaped early in life, starting with the gut.

How the Gut Shapes the Immune Response

Gut Microbiome as an Immune Regulator

From the time you're born, the bacteria in your gut help train your immune system to tell friend from foe. A balanced gut teaches your immune system to stay calm when it meets harmless substances. 

But when the gut is out of balance, what scientists call “dysbiosis,” the immune system can get confused, making allergies more likely.

Antibiotic Use and Immune Imbalance

There’s a growing body of research that links early antibiotic use to a higher risk of developing allergies. One study looked at over 340,000 children and found that those who took antibiotics before age 2 were more likely to develop asthma, eczema, food allergies, and hay fever.

Antibiotics can wipe out both bad and good bacteria, throwing off the balance of the gut microbiome during a crucial time in immune development.

What Science Says About Probiotics and Allergies

The good news? Supporting your gut with the right probiotics might help bring the immune system back into balance.

Bifidobacterium for Allergy Modulation

In early life, Bifidobacterium species are some of the most dominant and helpful bacteria in the gut. One specific strain, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, has shown promise in animal studies.

 When combined with prebiotics, it helped reduce signs of allergic skin reactions and improved immune balance. The key here was shifting the body’s immune response toward a calmer, more balanced state by influencing specific immune signals called Th1 and Th2.

Lactobacillus for Nasal and Skin Relief

Other strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 have been tested in people with seasonal allergies.

In one study, it helped reduce nasal symptoms noticeably. Another common strain, Lactobacillus paracasei, was found to support immune balance by increasing IL-12 (which helps reduce allergy reactions) and lowering IL-4 (which tends to increase them). In plain terms, these strains help tell the immune system to react less intensely.

Gut Health in Early Life and Allergy Risk

Importance of Infant Microbiota

Infants naturally have high levels of Bifidobacterium in their gut, especially if they’re born vaginally and breastfed. 

This early gut setup is thought to support the development of immune tolerance, helping the body recognise harmless substances and stay calm around them. If that balance is disrupted early, allergies may be more likely later in life.

Maternal Microbiome and Childhood Allergies

It’s not just the baby’s microbiome that matters. Studies suggest that the presence of certain bacteria, like Bifidobacterium longum and Prevotella, in a mother’s gut during pregnancy can influence a child’s likelihood of developing food allergies. 

That’s because mothers pass their gut bacteria to their babies during birth and through breastmilk, giving newborns their first dose of immune support.

Probiotic Support for Adults

You don’t have to be a child to benefit from probiotics. Some strains have been tested in adults with eczema, and the results are encouraging. 

In several studies, probiotics helped reduce skin inflammation and itchiness. While they’re not a replacement for medication, they can offer extra support by calming the immune system and improving gut balance.

What This Means for You

If you struggle with allergies, whether seasonal, skin-related, or food-triggered, it may be worth looking at your gut health. Taking care of your microbiome could give your immune system the tools it needs to stay balanced and less reactive.

That doesn’t mean taking just any probiotic off the shelf. Not all strains are the same, and some have more research behind them than others. Look for products that clearly state which probiotic strains they include and that have been used in studies on allergy support.

Top Recommended Products for Allergy and Immune Support:

Immune Support - Vital Nutrients

Immune Support is a combination of adaptogenic and nutritive herbs traditionally used to support the immune system.* The botanicals in the formula work together to promote a healthy immune response.* This product may be used to help maintain a healthy immune system during times of stress and frustration.

Allimax PRO 450mg - Allimax Nutraceuticals

Allimax supports your body's immune system through natural allicin, a natural compound, extacted from fresh, raw garlic using a crushing, filtration and temperature controlled extraction prcess that dissolves pure allicin in water.* Allimax uses only garlic sourced from Spain.

Aller-Aid L-92 with L. acidophilus L-92 - Allergy Research Group

Aller-Aid L-92 contains Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92®, a sterilized immunobiotic dry cell powder which helps balance Th1/Th2 and other immune cytokines.* Enhanced with Boswellia, Luteolin, and non-GMO vitamin C.