The allergies that are most likely to affect people have been becoming increasingly common over the past 30 years but there hasn’t been a corresponding allocation of funds to care for them either in hospital or general practice. The increase in the incidence of allergic conditions is real and cannot be accounted for by improved diagnosis or improved medical record-keeping.

Epidemiologists have noticed that with the benefits of modern life, such as mains water supply, improved drainage, the greater cleanliness that is possible with modern building, better laid out kitchens and bathrooms, the amount of allergic disease seen in general practice rather than decreasing has increased.

When animals, as happens in parts of Eastern Europe, continue to live in close proximity to humans so does the incidence of the common forms of allergy remain low. As the boundaries of the spick and span, spotless lifestyle spreads across Europe, so does the allergy become more frequent. It is likely that the adverse effects of an over hygienic lifestyle exert their influence on children when they are still at the toddler stage of childhood or younger. Most of the allergic conditions confronting GPs belong to the type 1 hypersensitivity group. These reactions are the result of an antigen combing with a specific IgE antibody. This group of allergies includes allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergic conjunctivitis (red eye), Eczematous dermatitis, asthma and food allergies.

Food allergies are exemplified by that of peanut allergy but it is also relatively frequently caused by eggs, milk, shellfish and nuts other than peanuts. In any food allergies the foods to which a patient may be allergic may extend beyond a response to peanuts as a consequence of a cross reaction. Later, for example, the patient may possibly become allergic to peaches and apricots, other nuts or fruits.

It is important to distinguish between a food allergy, a potentially serious reaction involving the antigen and specific IgE antibody and food intolerance. Food intolerance is comparatively common but there is no antibody reaction whereas food allergy is relatively rare, is apt to be over diagnosed, but when it does occur can have serious consequences.

Explore Health

• Expert Advice

• Health Features

• Mental Health

• Alternative Medicine

• Child Health

• Health Club