Introduction. Alimentary allergy is based on an improper immunological response of an organism leading to the appearance of clinical symptoms. In the recent years there has been observed an increase in the number of allergic reactions in children, which can be attributed to a more frequent, earlier or more intense exposition to allergens. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the phenomenon of alimentary allergy in patients hospitalized in the Ward of Allergology of the Children’s Clinical Hospital in Lublin. Material and methods. In the study there was applied the method of a diagnostic survey. The survey was conducted using an authorial anonymous questionnaire in parents of children diagnosed and treated for due to alimentary allergy in the Ward of Allergology of the Children’s Clinical Hospital in Lublin. The study was conducted between February and April 2013. The material consisted of 100 questionnaires filled in by parents of 48 boys and 52 girls aged from 20 months to 18 years. Results and conclusions. It was found that the symptoms of alimentary allergy most frequently occured after the consumption of cow milk (43%), eggs (38%) as well as cereals (36%). The most prevalent symptoms occurring after the consumption of an allergen are vomits and diarrhea (72%). Although alimentary allergy was confirmed in as many as 86% of child- ren and its cause was determined, which is indispensable in establishing a suitable diet, according to one-third of the respondents the allergens changed with the age. The majority of alimentary allergies in the studied group was diagnosed in the earliest periods of lives and the diagnose was made by a specialist in allergology (74%), which testifies favourably to the process of diagnosing such ailments in our country.

Key words: allergens, alimentary allergy, causes of allergy.