There are many different reasons ( well theorys) put forward to explain the high rise in allergies. (hygeine theory is the most common)
For a start we have the highest rate of asthma in the world.
And as someone else posted, many asthma deaths may be linked to food, as often an asthma response is the only reaction. We have a high rate of asthma deaths every year as well. which is frightening.
Anaphylaxis has been with us forever, the first recorded death from anaphylaxis was an eygption king who died from a hornet sting.
However allergy skin tests were invented in the 1960's so allergy as a disease is still fairly new.
In the last 100 years infants diets have changed behond all recognition.
during the war infants were put on sugar laden cows milk in tins. so that the mothers could work in the factorys to produce the stuff to win the war.
Breastfeeding declined with the introduction of more medical men, who decided that four hours was how long a adult could digest cows milk and should be the same for booby milk.
1930's onward , breastfeeding for only three months was the norm with a early introduction to cows milk and early solids. wheat being one of the first to be introduced.
Flash forward to our days and more exotic fruit are given as first foods, mango , bananas , etc.
I wonder to if this will back fire on future generations?
My personal theory is that generations of people who develop a high histamine rateing and mild atopic disease, met and produce with others with allergic disease and create a ever higher level of allergic disease, with each generation.
sometimes its masked, and develops as adults, mature women during the menopause sometimes develop shellfish allergy.
There is a whole huge range of allergic disease in this country, and the western world, there must be something going wrong quite badly somewhere. Children in Africa dont get it, because quite frankly they die from the diseases we have stopped. Perhaps they dont simply get the change to develop a allergy problem as they are continually struggling to survive.
For my children i know they have inherited a high chance of developing allergies, i am lucky so far to have only one of my four children to have allergies. He just has more than his fair share!!
Another change of life in the last 100 yrs is the standards of our homes.
Hay fever allergy was first noted by some monk hundreds of years ago, when another monk would fall pray to breathing difficulties each summer.
These days, our windows are sealed and carpets and foors are sealed with many chemicals, and are a fantastic breeding ground for dustmites.
So there are many , many reasons why our children are allergic.
The biggest problem these children have is access to decent medical care. For many children who are living with incorrect medical advice are growing up unprepared to survive if a big reaction should happen.
every death from anaphylaxis is a preventable death.
Its esp shameful that so many of our children are at risk, and the NHS should do more to help support families like mine.
Living with life threatening allergie is not easy , and its a struggle some days to live a normal life.
If given the correct medical advice and support allergies are not a death sentance.
However, if anyone finds a magic wand , could they post it to me?