Food allergies among American children are increasing at an alarming rate.

According to The Centers for Disease Control, one in 26 kids is allergic to wheat, peanuts, soy, milk or eggs. That's about 3 million children - an 18 percent increase in the last decade.

Some experts say the rise could be because parents are now quicker to have their kids checked out by a doctor.

Also, doctors are more likely than before to consider food allergies as the reason behind symptoms such as vomiting, rashes and breathing problems.

However, some doctors say modern medicine is to blame for the rise in childhood food allergies.

"By the fact that we're treating more kids with antibiotics, that we're giving more children vaccinations that their body's immune system doesn't have to fight off infections as much. So it shifts from being busy fighting infections to shifting towards allergies," allergy specialist David Fleischer said.

New research is showing kids can build up resistance to food allergies if they are gradually exposed to the food.

Ancient Chinese herbs are also proving effective in decreasing allergic reactions to food.