US children are more allergic

The JAMA Pediatrics study evaluated the prevalence of allergic disease, including asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food allergies in 91,642 children aged 0 to 17 years enrolled in the 2007-2008 National Survey of Children's Health. 

Children born outside the United States had significantly lower odds of any atopic disorders than those born in the United States, including ever-asthma, current-asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food allergies. Children born outside the United States who lived in the United States for longer than 10 years when compared with those who resided for only 0 to 2 years had significantly higher odds of developing any allergic disorders.

Bonnie: We should not be surprised. The US diet is monocultural and processed. The past few generations have passed along unhealthier genes. Exercise has dropped precipitously. The environment is producing an ever-growing pollen load. Our obsession with being germ-free has left our immune systems hypersensitive.

Most seek out their pharmacist or allergist for quick-fix meds that come with horrible side effects. The tougher road is to work from the inside out with dietary and lifestyle changes. In addition, sublingual immunotherapy has emerged and will become a much easier therapy to adhere to because you don't have to visit the allergists office on a weekly basis.