Perth researchers review evidence for allergy advice

Monday, 10 May 2010 11:30

Professor Susan Prescott and colleagues at the School of Paediatrics and Child Health Research, University of Western Australia have conducted a review of research into allergen exposure. Their work comes in response to recent changes to most recommendations on allergen exposure that saw the removal of advice to delay the introduction of allergenic foods to prevent food allergy.

The group do not believe there is adequate evidence to support the theory that early and deliberate exposure to allergenic foods may prevent or delay the onset food allergy. In their view, it is currently inappropriate and potentially dangerous to advocate deliberate exposure to foods involved in serious reactions until more basic and clinical research findings become available.

Reference: Prescott et al. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2010 Jun Vol10(3) pp. 258-66.