Could chronic exposure to hand dishwashing detergent residues contribute to food allergy? A hypothesis.

A frequently expressed perception is that food allergies were uncommon only a few decades ago and that their prevalence continues to rise. Individuals over 50 rarely recall classmates with severe food allergies during childhood, whereas today special dietary accommodations in schools have become routine. Increased diagnostic awareness may partly explain the identification of milder cases, but not the increased prevalence of life-threatening anaphylaxis: currently, patients carrying of epinephrine auto-injectors has become commonplace.