Study on Teenage Allergies

SCIENTISTS yesterday urged teenagers to take part in the first ever study into how serious allergic reactions affect their lives.

Edinburgh University experts will study the adolescent experience of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic condition that comes on rapidly and can be fatal.

Anaphylaxis, often sparked by peanut allergy, affects at least 40,000 people in the UK and causes between 10 and 20 deaths every year.

It is hoped the study will help improve care and treatment for teenagers with the condition.

Scientists plan to ask participants how they feel about their allergy and what they think might enable them to cope better with its lifestyle implications.

The researchers will also interview parents about how they help teenagers deal with the condition, and about current food labelling standards.

Dr Michael Gallagher, of Edinburgh University, said it was important to improve care for teenagers as they are at high risk of having severe reactions.

He said: "As young people start to become more independent, they have to learn how to manage their condition themselves.

"This can be a difficult process and taking risks can sometimes have tragic consequences.

"Specialist services for this age group are presently very limited."

The study follows last year’s House of Lords allergy inquiry.

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