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Recent investigations into the deaths of two British teenagers after eating sesame and peanuts have drawn attention to the often tragic consequences. In August, a six-year-old girl living in western Australia died of allergies to dairy products.
The increase in allergies in recent decades is visible mainly in Western countries. Today, food allergy affects about 7% of children in the United Kingdom and 9% in Australia, for example. In Europe, 2% of adults have food allergies
Potentially life-threatening reactions can be caused even by traces of food that trigger an allergy, which means that patients and their family members live anxious and fearful. The dietary restrictions they experience can become a burden on social and family life.
Although we can not say for sure why allergy rates are rising, researchers around the world are struggling to find ways to combat this.
The allergy is caused by the immune system that reacts to fight substances in the environment that should be considered harmless, called allergens.
These substances are innocent at first.
Symptoms range from skin redness to hives, swelling and – in the most severe cases – vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress and anaphylactic shock.
Among the foods that children usually use are allergic, are milk, eggs, peanuts, types of nuts (eg, nuts, almonds, pine nuts, Brazil nuts), sesame and fruits
The frequency of food allergies has increased over the last 30 years, particularly in industrialized societies. The extent of the increase depends on the type of diet and the patient's place of residence.
For example, peanut allergies increased five-fold in the United Kingdom between 1995 and 2016.
A survey of 1,300 three-year-olds participating in the EAT study at King & # 39; s London College in the UK suggested that 2.5% of them were allergic to peanuts.
Australia has the highest confirmed food allergy rate. A survey found that 9% of Australian children aged one year had an allergy to eggs, while 3% were allergic to peanuts.
The increase in the number of allergies is not simply due to the fact that society is more aware of it.
Increased food sensitivity is thought to be related to environmental factors and western lifestyle
We know that allergy rates are lower in developing countries.
The factors involved may include pollution, dietary changes, and less exposure to microbes, which affect the way our immune system responds.
Migrants appear to have a higher incidence of asthma and food allergies in the country where they chose to live compared to their country of origin, thus illustrating the importance environmental factors.
Some Possible Explanations
There is no single explanation for a general increase in food allergies, but science has some theories.
One reason is that improved hygiene may be one of the causes, as children do not have as many infections.
Parasitic infections, in particular, are usually fought by the same mechanisms as those used in the fight against allergies. With fewer parasites to fight, the immune system turns to things that should be harmless.
Another hypothesis is that vitamin D can help our immune system develop a healthy response, thus making us less susceptible to allergies. But most people in the world do not consume enough vitamin D for several reasons, including spending less time in the sun. In the United States, the vitamin D deficiency rate would have almost doubled in just over a decade.
A new theory of "exposure to two allergens" suggests that the development of food allergy is due to the balance between
For example, the development of antibodies Anti-allergy can occur through the skin, especially the inflamed skin of infants with eczema.
But it is thought that the ingestion of food that can trigger an allergy during weaning can result in a healthy response and prevent the development of an allergy because the immune system of the intestines is willing to tolerate bacteria and foreign substances such as food.
This was the basis of King LEAP's study. College London, which reported an 80% reduction in peanut allergies in five-year-olds who regularly ate food as early as the year of birth.
Amendments to US guidelines on peanut consumption in children. British parents were advised to consult a doctor first.
Human Impact
Recent deaths of adolescents with food allergies in the United Kingdom highlight the human impact of this disease and the l? Importance of
There is currently no curative treatment for food allergy, and the control of the disease depends on the prevention of foods that cause the reaction and a treatment plan. Emergency in case of exposure
. But even the initial diagnosis is a challenge. The main way to identify food allergies is to gradually bring the patient to consume larger amounts of the food in question under medical supervision.
However, this is painful for children and carries risks.
At King's College London, we have come up with an alternative: a blood test that has been shown to be accurate in the diagnosis of peanut allergy compared to the methods
These tests now include foods responsible for 90% of allergy in children and should be available to patients within two years.
Even after a successful diagnosis, it is difficult to avoid foods that
Immunotherapy with allergens – administering small amounts of the substance – has reduced the sensitivity of allergic patients and of protect against accidental exposures
A recent trial with immunotherapy drugs. showed that 67% of people allergic to peanuts could consume the equivalent of two grains after one year, and m compared to 4% of the control group.
Meanwhile, allergies will remain a source of worry and will be part of the daily lives of children and their parents.
Allergies are still under study and are sorely lacking.
About this article
This badysis was commissioned by the BBC from a specialist working for an outside organization.
Alexandra Santos is a Professor in the Department of Pediatric Allergy at King & # 39; s College London
. ] Edited by Eleanor Lawrie
BBC Canada – All rights reserved – All types of reproduction are prohibited without the written permission of the BBC
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