Allergies can be triggered by different foods

Institute of Food Research experts found two types of cells critical for regulating the immune system stopped talking to each other.

This 'deafness' means certain cells continue to work when they would normally be programmed to switch off.

In a Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, they say these cells then trigger an allergic reaction.

The two cells critical for regulating the immune response are dendritic cells and T-cells.

Dendritic cells are stationed in parts of the body most likely to come into contact with allergens, such as skin and mucous membranes.

Malfunction

In food allergy, when the culprit food is first eaten the dendritic cells pick up this 'intruder' and present it to the T-cell so it can mount a response.

The dendritic cells would normally die. But in allergy they continue to live and reactivate T-cells.

Lead researcher Dr Claudio Nicoletti explained: "It appears that in allergy they get out of control and this malfunction could have a profound effect on the development of food allergy."

Currently there is no cure for food allergy and the best advice is to avoid the offending foods.

Symptoms such as skin rashes, wheezing and swelling around the lips can occur if the food is eaten. In extreme cases it can be life-threatening.

Dr Nicoletti hopes their findings could provide a new target for future therapies.

Muriel Simmons, chief executive of Allergy UK said the findings were extremely exciting for people with food allergies.