The Peanut Allergy "Epidemic"

Are We Making Children More Allergenic?

I have often wondered about the apparent increase in peanut allergy in children; as well as other food allergies. When I was growing up we never heard of these things; yet now they seem common. What is causing it?

Well it may be our fault. Previous guidelines recommended delaying the introduction of allergenic foods to infants in hopes of preventing food allergy and other allergic disease. This practice has been called into question as rates of food allergy increase in western countries.

Recent studies have shown that early introduction of different foods seem to prevent future allergies. Current recommendations are breast feeding alone until 4 months of age, then the introduction of diverse foods. However children with eczema or a sibling with severe allergies are still at increased risk.