Read extracts from the Online Clinic on Allergies held in February on www.talkhealthpartnership.com.

Allergy affects at least one in four of us at some time in our lives - and it can be connected to a wide spectrum of causes: food, environment, pollutants and more. Where to go for some expert advice?

New insights into the causes, effects and treatments of allergies were presented at the Lisbon international congress of more than 7,000 specialists from 95 countries. But most studies presented were small, and nearly all said more studies were needed.