Young children aged under five saw the biggest rise, with those diagnosed by GPs with a ‘probable’ food allergy jumping from 1.2% to 4% over this period.
The study by scientists at Imperial College in London analysed data from GP surgeries in England. It found that across all age groups, the prevalence of food allergies increased from 0.4% of the population to 1.1%.
It also found that only just half of all patients who had previously suffered a severe reaction were being prescribed life-saving adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) pens, particularly in deprived areas of the country.
Dr Paul Turner, the study author and professor of paediatric allergy at Imperial College London, said: “These estimates indicate an important and increasing burden of food allergy in England.
“Our findings that most patients with food allergy are managed outside the hospital system, with low rates of adrenaline autoinjector prescription in those with previous anaphylaxis, highlight a need to better support those working in primary care to ensure optimal management of patients with food allergy.”
He added, though, that there were signs the rise in the number of people diagnosed with allergies had begun to level off.
Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, co-founder of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, added: “It is shocking and alarming to discover that more than a third of people who have experienced anaphylaxis — the most severe allergic reaction — have not been prescribed an AAI, and the poorest in society are less likely to have prescriptions of this life-saving medicine.
“This is totally unacceptable, and will inevitably put lives at risk. It is also worrying that so few people with a food allergy receive specialist hospital allergy care. Again this is unacceptable and we need urgent Government action to address these gaps in care to prevent avoidable ill health."