The result can be anything from a rash to the life-threatening condition anaphylaxis, and the problem is getting worse. Hospital admissions have doubled in the past 10 years and doctors are at a loss to explain why.

This week is Food Allergy Awareness Week. Experts are warning us to take this problem seriously or risk becoming an allergy nation.

Dr Ray Mullins, President of the Australasian Society of Immunology and Allergy, explains why there has been "a dramatic increase in food allergies for the youngest members of our society in the last decade."

Is it because we are eating more processed food?

I wish it was that easy. It seems to have something do with the western lifestyles. It is not preservatives. It is the same things that are present in food now. Nuts and peanut are the champions leading the way.

What do you mean in the lifestyle? If the food is the same as 20 years ago, how has our lifestyle changed?

We know that asthma and hay fever has increased in the last two generations and there are theories like too much exposure or too clean for our own good. Even that would not explain food allergy. We don't have a handle on hit new kid on the block.

You become allergic to things present in your environment. There is nothing unique to peanut and tree nuts that has increased in recent years. One important take-home message from this week is that often advice is given to avoid food.

Delaying introduction of food but there is no good evidence that that makes any difference at all. Delaying introduction beyond the first six months of life does not dpe crease allergy. Such advice may be part of the reason that we are seeing this epidemic.

More info

www.allergyfacts.org.au/

Read PDF - Action plan for Anaphylaxis

Soapbox comments

Soapbox comment: Could the pesticides we now use have something 2 do with the rise in allergies? 

Soapbox comment: Delaying honey has nothing to do with allergy it is a bacteria that can be present that is dangerous to babies.

Soapbox comment: As an Accredited Dietitian and allergy sufferer myself, I understand the impact of food allergies first hand. However, I noticed Mel mention honey a few times, and just wanted to see some clarification for viewers on the issue of honey consumption for small children. While, as mentioned by the health professional on your show, the introduction of some foods is possibly safe early on, and may have no impact on allergy risk, i think it is important to note that recommendations around restricting honey before 24 months of age are NOT an allergy related recommendation. Honey is a known source of bacterial spores that produce Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These bacteria are typically harmless to older children and adults. But when ingested by an infant, these bacteria make a toxin that can cause infant botulism. It's unclear why this occurs in infants and not in older children or adults, however avoidance of honey to age 2 is still an important recommendation for parents to follow, as infant botulism, although rare, is a highly dangerous condition.

I hope you can clarify this important point for the safety of our young Aussies. Catherine

Soapbox comment: This is for Simon Reeve's. I suffer from allergy's from the cold, and cold water, or swimming in the sea as well and it started 5 years ago now just out of the blue, and Id be interested what you do for it, cause it drives me nuts and Dr's don't seem to know why it occurs. Chris

Soapbox comment: The thing Nat is talking about is called Raynaud's disease. Not sure he that's what I have but I have the same cold allergy as Simon. Eating ice cream makes my chest tighten. I live in Darwin but had no sign of it while on a skiing holiday. So perhaps it’s an allergy to 'defrosting'. Bianca.

Soapbox comment: Allergy,I have a 1 year old and she has had all the food since she has been 6 months, i started giving food to her when she was 3 months. If u are to carefull with anything they can catch anything. We are getting to hygienic, in the olden days, the people just lived, Jolanda

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Hayfever and allergy advice