The number of people suffering with allergic reactions has trebled in the last 20 years, affecting a third of the population at some time in their lives. Each year over 6,000 people are admitted to hospital, with a quarter of these suffering from a severe anaphylaxis response.
The report added that there was poor knowledge of allergies among health professionals and recommended that allergy training becomes a more important part of medical training. The committee also heard evidence that abstaining from eating nuts during pregnancy is actually increasing the risk of allergies and urged the Government to change its advice.
