NHS reports sharp rise in allergic reactions

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has revealed that 1,746 children were treated for severe allergic reactions last year. The number has risen every year since 2014.

It is not just a problem in the UK. Across the world, children are more likely than ever to develop food allergies.

Allergic reactions happen when your immune system fights off a substance that it should see as harmless. Nuts, fish and milk are some common allergens.

Most allergic reactions can be treated easily with medication, but sometimes severe reactions can be life-threatening.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse said that the rise in hospitalisation is “deeply alarming”. Her daughter Natasha died in 2016 after eating an olive baguette from Pret a Manger.

Since Natasha’s death, the UK has changed its laws so that restaurants will have to list every ingredient in their food. Experts hope that it will mean the tragedy does not happen again.

Around 7% of children in the UK and 9% of those in Australia have a food allergy, but the number is still rising.

Are we in an allergy emergency?

Yes. Whether the cause — lack of vitamin D, pollution or another, as yet unknown reason — allergies are becoming more common around the world. It is important that we get to the bottom of the problem quickly — or more people will be at risk of dangerous reactions.

There is no need to panic. While 7% of children have allergies, only 3% of adults do. Most children grow out of their allergies. The vast majority of allergies are only mild, so they are not really dangerous. It is important to be careful, but there is no need to call this an “emergency”.