Cigarette smoke can prevent allergies

It is known that smoking is injurious to health, but a new study suggests that it may help you combat allergies.

A study of mouse cells shows that cigarette smoke can prevent allergies by decreasing the reaction of immune cells to allergens.

Smoking can cause lung cancer, pulmonary disease, and can even affect how the body fights infections. But along with many harmful effects, smoking cigarettes has a surprising benefit - they can protect smokers from certain types of allergies.

A study recommended by Neil Thomson, an expert in respiratory medicine, demonstrates that cigarette smoke decreases the allergic response by inhibiting the activity of mast cells, major players that trigger response to allergens.

Researchers at Utrecht University (Netherlands) found that treatment of mast cells with a cigarette smoke-infused solution prevented the release of inflammation-inducing proteins in response to allergens, without affecting other mast cell immune functions, said an Utrecht release.

These findings were published in the journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy.