More and more children are developing peanut allergies

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Allergies to peanuts and other foods are showing up in children at younger ages for reasons that are not clear. In a study of 140 children with peanut allergies, the median age of the first allergic reaction was 14 months among those born between 2000 and 2005, compared to 22 to 24 months among allergic children born between 1988 and 1999. Among an estimated 12 million Americans with food allergies, nearly 2 million are allergic to peanuts, although up to 20 percent outgrow it, researchers said. Many patients in the study were also found to be allergic to other foods, commonly eggs, soy, wheat, tree nuts, and shellfish. As many as one-third of people with peanut allergies have severe reactions such as trouble breathing, a drop in blood pressure and gastrointestinal problems. About 200 U.S. deaths occur each year due to food-related allergic reactions, usually involving peanuts or tree nuts. Usually, an allergic reaction will occur within seconds of ingestion in the form of an itchy rash, or swelling of the skin, followed by respiratory symptoms and vomiting. Source: Yahoo! I know first hand how serious these allergies can be. What do you think is causing more children at younger ages to get allergies to food? Do you think genetically modified peanuts can solve this problem?