Dear editor

I meticulously read the article headed ‘Living with and Caring for People with Multiple Food Allergies: A Qualitative Study’.¹ The authors examine the lived experiences of individuals with various food allergies and their caregivers, who are frequently overlooked in existing literature. This study presents several advantages: 1) Readers acquire a profound understanding of the living realities of those with various food allergies. 2) It provides a comprehensive overview of allergy types, history, and sociodemographic characteristics related to the effects of food allergies. 3) It is recognized that food transcends mere sustenance; it plays a significant role in social interaction and mental health.

Nonetheless, certain restrictions were identified: 1) This study has limits on gender diversity, with merely three participants identifying as male and all caregivers being female. This constraint may affect the scope of caregivers’ lived experiences with numerous food allergies and the researchers’ theme identification procedure. Consequently, the diversity of participants may provide a more comprehensive perspective on the lived experience of various food allergies. 2) This study depended on participants to self-report a diagnosis of multiple food allergies. While this is prevalent in qualitative research, it may compromise the dependability of the results.² Consequently, a more objective method to validating allergy diagnoses may enhance the trustworthiness of the study findings. 3) The researchers acknowledge that the findings may not apply to all individuals with numerous food sensitivities. Qualitative research emphasizes a profound comprehension of individual experiences rather than mere generalization. 4) The study addressed the social barriers individuals with food allergies encountered. The discourse on expanding understanding of social and environmental factors can provide a more profound context—examining how communities and public policy might assist individuals with numerous food allergies. 5) This study employed qualitative research methods. Consequently, it is essential to integrate qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as standardised surveys or longitudinal studies, to monitor participants’ progress over time and record changes in their experiences, enhancing the data’s objectivity, stability, measurability, and accuracy. 6) Gathering information from diverse sources, including doctors, nurses, caregivers, and individuals engaged in the participants’ daily lives. This aims to offer a comprehensive viewpoint and mitigate the potential for bias.