Four allergy myths – and the truth behind them
Posted: 27th July 2022 | Posted by Costa
Four allergy myths – and the truth behind them
When it comes to allergies, it feels like there are a lot of rumours and misconceptions flying about. Eat this. Do that. Exercise more. Exercise less. It’s hereditary. It’s random. There’s no one easy answer, unfortunately. But it doesn’t stop people throwing out baseless ideas.
So we thought we’d look at some common allergy myths and give you the straight facts about them. And if we don’t have the answer you’re looking for, maybe the rest of our blog can help? Right, let’s jump right in!
Myth 1: Lots of people have allergies
It’s true that allergy diagnoses have been on the rise. But this probably makes it seem more common than it is. While there are various numbers out there, most seem to agree that about 20% of the UK population has an allergy of some sort. The NHS says allergies affect 1 in 4 people (25%) at “some point in their lives”.
That’s a lot, but what about food allergies? Stories in the news make them seem very common. In reality, only 3-6% of children have a food allergy – and it’s less for adults. And peanut allergies specifically? Even less – about 2% of children have the condition.
That isn’t to say it shouldn’t be taken seriously. In a 20-year period (up to 2012), there was a 615% increase in hospital admissions because of anaphylaxis.
Myth 2: You outgrow your allergies
There’s this idea that, as you get older, you’ll outgrow your allergies. Especially food allergies. And yes, it is possible to outgrow them. But it’s not that simple – or predictable. It also depends on the allergen. 60-80% of children outgrow milk allergies, but only 5% will outgrow a shellfish allergy. And an estimated 10% of adults have some form of food hypersensitivity.
While we’re here, allergies aren’t always with you for life. They can develop in your adult years, seemingly out of nowhere. Something you were fine eating before could suddenly cause a reaction. Doctors aren’t sure why it happens.
Myth 3: Food allergies and intolerances are the same
On the topic of food, food allergies and intolerances are sometimes seen as the same thing. But they aren’t, and it’s important to separate the two.
Allergies are an immune response. This means your body sees the food as a danger to you, so over-react to fight the trigger. This is what causes your allergic reaction.
Intolerances, on the other hand, are a digestive response. This is your stomach telling you it does not agree with whatever you’ve eaten. And the symptoms you’re likely to see revolve around the stomach – bloating, feeling sick, and diarrhoea, for example. So lactose intolerance is completely different from a milk allergy, and each would cause a different response.
Myth 4: Peanuts are the most dangerous allergen
This myth probably comes from the fact news stories about food allergies almost always seem to come down to peanuts. It’s no more common or dangerous than any other food allergy, and all of them should be treated seriously.
They aren’t the most common – that goes to milk allergies in babies and young children. As for severity, there have been stories involving sesame seeds, eggs, gluten, and shellfish.
Hopefully we’ve cleared up some of the peskier allergy myths and given you a greater understanding of them. The most important takeaway here is that you should always treat allergies with the caution they need.
If you have any questions about your allergies or intolerances, feel free to talk to one of our allergists today. Our expertise can help you feel at ease with your condition. Just call us on 02031 433 449, or register as a new patient.