Peanut allergies among children soar to 16,000, medical expert warns

PEANUT allergies are becoming increasingly common in Ireland, with upwards of 16,000 Irish children affected by the potentially serious condition, an expert warned.

The allergies are the most common cause of fatal food-related allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) but not all sufferers experience a severe reaction. Some just suffer mild swelling.

In an article in the Irish Medical Times, Professor of Paediatrics and Children Health at NUI Cork, Professor Jonathan Hourihane pointed out that 80% of those with a peanut allergy will react when they eat their first peanut.