Are any segments of the population at especially high risk for severe allergic reactions to food?
A. Research suggests that having asthma in addition to a food allergy increases the risk of a severe reaction, and teens and young adults who have peanut or tree nut allergies in addition to asthma are at the highest risk. Q. How many Americans have food allergies? A. More than 12 million. That’s one in 25, or 4 percent of the population. Approximately 6.9 million Americans are allergic to seafood, and about 3.3 million are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts (reliable figures aren’t available for the other common food allergens). Q. How common are food allergies in young children? A. Very common. About 3 million children in the U.S. have food allergies, and the incidence in those under the age of 3 is one in 17. The good news is that many of these children will outgrow their food allergies. Q. Are food allergies on the rise? A. The incidence of food allergies in the U.S. are on the rise. This conclusion is based on reports from allergists across the country, as well as on studies of alle
