Recent statistics show allergies among adults nearly doubling with the most common allergen being shellfish, while peanut allergies in children are also on the rise.
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Allergies are on the rise. As the weather changes long lines can be seen outside of clinics waiting for treatment. Many of which are parents with young children. Commonly reported symptoms include itchy noses, dermatitis, and even eczema in some cases– with many sufferers claiming temperature changes, and pollution can trigger or even worsen pre-existing symptoms.
Recent medical statistics show food-related allergies among adults nearly doubling from 6.4% in 2004 to 12.5% in 2017, with the most common allergen being shellfish, while peanut allergies in children are on the rise.
This has long been a serious problem among American children, as such, food containing or in close contact with nuts is often clearly labeled. However, this is not the case in Taiwan, where such nut allergies have never been seen on such a serious scale. Now that these food-related allergies are increasing this could pose a serious problem. While the FDA requires 11 allergens to be listed on food labels, they found a 10% failure rate. Even as more and more people try to adjust their diets, if food is improperly labeled, an accidental snack could lead to serious consequences including anaphylactic shock.
Doctors are still unsure as to what caused the increase in allergies, though the running theory is that it is related to environmental changes, and pollution.
Whatever the cause, allergy sufferers are advised to take caution and pay special attention to food and weather to avoid unnecessary discomfort. It seems summer barbecues are becoming an increasingly itchy situation.