Teenagers with food allergy are having frequent reactions to nuts, eggs and other triggers

TEENAGERS do not have their food allergies under control, and are experiencing frequent reactions to triggers including nuts and eggs, an alarming new study discovers.

TWO in five Australian teens with food allergy are having frequent allergic reactions.

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute study of 10 to 14-year-olds found half had an allergic reaction in the past year, with peanuts and tree nuts the most common trigger.

The study of 547 students with food allergies found those with two or more were at the greatest risk of a reaction.

Professor Katie Allen, the study’s senior author, said the findings were concerning because adolescents were at the highest risk of death from food-induced anaphylaxis.

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Saskia Day, 18, is allergic to eggs, nuts and sesame. Picture: David Caird

Hummus fed to Saskia Day when she was six months old alerted her parents to her severe ­sesame allergy. Two shots of adrenaline saved her life, and tests later revealed she was also allergic to eggs and nuts.

As an 18-year-old, she takes ownership of her allergies, asking waiters for ingredients in dishes, but there are always new challenging experiences.

“Recently, my friend had an 18th birthday drinks, and as I was about to leave, I had a sip of her cocktail and then started feeling really unwell,” she said.

“I had chest pain, vomiting and asthma. I didn’t know what was going on. I found out later that certain cocktails with fizz in the name have egg whites in them to make them frothy.”

The teenager restricts her diet to reduce reactions and has become quite anxious about food.

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Contrary to popular belief, lead author Vicki Williams said the study, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found ­reactions were most common in people’s homes — not schools or restaurants.

But it was unclear if this was because most meals are consumed at home.

Prof Allen said she would like teens with a food allergy to have it reviewed by their doctor before starting high school.

Better education, allergy management and food labelling changes were needed to reduce reactions in the high-risk age group.

MCRI is running a Christmas appeal to raise money for medical research. Donate at donatethischristmas.mcri.edu.au

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