Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World

Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World is a captivating book written by Theresa MacPhail, a renowned author known for her insightful and engaging writing style. Published by Random House in 2023, this book falls under the genre of health and wellness, focusing on the growing issue of allergies in our modern world.

MacPhail takes us on a journey, exploring how our bodies react to the rapidly changing environment. She delves into the science behind allergies, the reasons for their increase, and how we can adapt to live healthier lives. The author's in-depth research and clear writing make this book a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the human body and the world we live in.

Published by Random House, a publisher known for its diverse and high-quality publications, this book is a testament to their commitment to bringing relevant and thought-provoking content to readers. Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World is not just a book; it's a wake-up call to pay attention to our bodies and the world around us.

"Hay fever. Peanut allergies. Eczema. Either you have a frustrating allergy, or you know someone who does. Billions of people worldwide-an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the global population-have some form of allergy; millions have one severe enough to actively endanger their health. Even more concerningly, over the last decade, the number of people diagnosed with allergy has been steadily increasing. Medical anthropologist Theresa MacPhail, herself an allergy sufferer whose father died of a bee sting, set out to understand why. This book is a holistic examination of the phenomenon of allergies from its first medical description in 1819 to the mind-bending recent development of biologics and immunotherapies that are giving the most severely impacted patients hope. In pursuit of this story, Theresa spent time with hundreds of experts, patients and activists: she scaled a roof with an air quality controller who diligently counts pollen by hand for hours every day; met a mother struggling to use WIC benefits for her daughter with severe food allergies; shadowed doctors at some of the finest allergy clinics in the world; and discussed the intersecting problems of climate change, pollution, and pollen with biologists who study seasonal respiratory allergies"--