Allergic reactions 'now affect one in three Britons'

A record one in three people suffers from an allergy, according to a report published today by Dr Amolak Bansal, a consultant immunologist and allergist at St Helier Hospital in south London.

A record one in three people suffers from an allergy, according to a report published today by Dr Amolak Bansal, a consultant immunologist and allergist at St Helier Hospital in south London.

Thirty years ago, some 15 to 20 per cent of the population were sufferers: this is now 33 per cent. The number of materials causing allergic reactions is also rising.

Although asthma and hayfever are the commonest allergies, 1per cent of the population has developed an allergic reaction to latex rubber, causing problems with medical treatment, where workers wear latex gloves. More number of people are reacting badly to exotic fruits, such as passion fruit and kiwis. Dr Bansal said that hay fever sufferers are more likely than ever before to develop an allergic reaction to fruits such as peaches, plums and cherries.

Allergic reactions range from mild rashes and swellings to nausea and vomiting, severe swelling of the throat, causing breathing problems, and, in extreme cases, death from shock and a catastrophic drop in blood pressure.

Pollution, smoking, commuting, over-crowding and more sterile conditions are allblamed for the rising numbers of children, estimated as one in seven, who develop allergies.

"In addition to the rise in potential allergies, it also appears that chemicals and viruses in our atmosphere can damage the lining of the nose and lungs, making it easier for allergens to penetrate," Dr Bansal said.

"The increase is most likely due to a badly regulated immune system caused by a lack of bacterial exposure during a child's early years and at a time when the immune system is developing."

The report shows that people in London have the most allergies, thought to be caused by fuel pollution. Pollutants such as nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide from cars and buses have enhanced the development of allergy, the report says.

People are being bombarded by a growing number of indoor allergens, linked to increased humidity in energy-efficient homes. These include dust mites, affecting almost 4 million people, and pet allergies, which affect about 10 per cent of adults.

Victoria Welch, 28, a legal cashier in the City of London, developed asthma at 11 and is allergic to dust mites and animal fur. Earlier this year, she found she had developed allergic reactions to dairy products, beef, caffeine and nuts. "It's been a nightmare. I have had to completely change my diet, which has changed my lifestyle and makes it difficult to eat out," she said.

Hillary Seymour, 48, from Surrey, who has two children, developed severe swelling and nausea soon after handling a passion fruit cutting five years ago. The illness lasted two days. She found she was allergic to exotic fruits, including bananas, avocados and kiwi fruit. She also developed a rubber allergy, which caused her to go into severe shock during a medical procedure.

"It's getting worse and worse. I can't even blow up the balloons for my children's birthdays any more," she said.