Three allergens to look out for this Veganuary

6th January 2021

Three allergens to look out for this Veganuary

The new year’s here and we all have our resolutions at the ready. From diet to exercise, January is the month where we’re motivated and ready to make changes in our lives. It’s why many will be participating in Veganuary – adopting a vegan diet for January – in a bid to stay healthy and maybe help the environment too.

But while a vegan diet definitely has its benefits, you may have to be careful eating food you don’t usually eat. Some might cause an allergic reaction in a minority of people. Here are three of the most popular allergens found in vegan food.

Soybean

This is a particularly popular ingredient in vegan and vegetarian dishes. Soybean is used to make tofu, soy milk, and tempeh, amongst many other products. Soya-based products are often used as a substitute for meat and increases the protein in a dish.

Symptoms can be mild, including the likes of hives or itching. But it can also be severe, causing anaphylaxis, so it needs to be taken seriously.

Nuts

From nut roasts at Christmas to almond milk in your tea, nuts are found in a lot of vegan products thanks to the various ways we can enjoy them.

If you’re someone who has a nut allergy, you’re probably no stranger to intently reading labels to ensure the contents are safe for you to eat, but with the popularity of nuts in vegan and vegetarian food, this is something you’ll have to keep up through Veganuary.

Gluten

Quick to make, full of vitamins, and very filling, cereals seem like a great addition to your diet. That is, unless you have coeliac disease or a sensitivity to gluten.

A sensitivity to gluten isn’t the same as an allergy, but can still cause unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, stomach ache, and tiredness. It’s estimated that 1 in 100 people worldwide have coeliac disease and that many are undiagnosed. So if you feel these symptoms on your new diet, this could be the cause.

If you’re participating in Veganuary this year, it may be wise to get an allergy test. That way, you can know for certain if you’re allergic to something and put your mind at ease.

If you’d like to book a test, or get some expert advice on your allergies before starting a new diet, call us today on 02031 433 449.

Four innocent things that might be triggering your allergies

9th September 2020

Four innocent things that might be triggering your allergies

There are some very strange allergies that exist in the world. You can be allergic to exercise, water, and sunlight. Or you could be allergic to cockroaches, mobile phones, and allergy medicine. And even more bizarrely, you could be allergic to touch, vibrations, or your own child.

The list of allergies never ends. But something you might not consider is what strange things might be triggering your run-of-the-mill allergies. Let’s look at some of the places that might be harbouring allergens.

Second-hand items

You think you’ve found a good deal. A cheap sofa or some vintage clothes that you’ve found on a second-hand marketplace that are right up your street. It’s too good to turn down, right?

But you should be careful of items when you don’t know their history. Old furniture and clothes can hold on to dust or mould, potentially triggering your allergies. This goes double for any non-washable fabrics that might not be well-maintained. At its worst, these can even trigger asthma attacks, so be careful.

Books

There’s nothing better than a bookshelf full of great literature. But it’s a similar story to the one above – you never know what they might be harbouring.

As with anything on your shelf, books can quickly build up a layer of dust that can cause problems down the line. It happens wherever dust accumulates: attics, basements, sheds, and even your shelves. This can be solved with a diligent cleaning routine to stop the dust build-up.

Toys

We’re specifically talking about cuddly toys. Because of the plush material these toys are made of, they can be a perfect home for dust mites. An allergic reaction to this can cause a runny nose, coughing, and even an asthma attack.

If you want to protect your child, then don’t worry. Just make sure to buy toys that are machine-washable so you can clean them regularly.

Teabags

Sometimes, people can react to the strong aromas of certain teas. This is simply an irritation, not a true allergy. But plant-based teas could cause an actual allergic reaction.

It isn’t unknown for something like chamomile tea to cause an allergic reaction because it’s so similar to ragweed. This “cross-reaction” is because the proteins in the two are so similar. People with hay fever could have the usual symptoms of a runny nose and itchy eyes because of the tea.

So there are four things that could be hiding allergens. It’s nothing to fear – it just means you can now pay attention and solve any unsolved allergy attacks. If you ever have questions about your allergies, make sure to get in touch with an expert allergist.

If you want an allergy specialist to talk to, our team is more than qualified to answer your every question. Get in touch on 02031 433 449.

Wet wipes and allergies: fact or fiction?

24th September 2018

Wet wipes and allergies: fact or fiction?

Allergy diagnoses are on the rise and people are becoming more aware of what can set off a reaction. You may have read the news lately about the risk of allergies children face from the use of wet wipes. Everyone seems to have mixed thoughts about whether this is fact or fiction – is the rumour being exaggerated or is it as risky as some people report?

Where did the rumour come from?

It’s critical that you’re aware of the origins of these rumours before assuming the worst. The idea came from a US study carried out by Northwestern University. They found that wet wipes could play a factor in developing an allergy, but only under certain circumstances.

Many newspapers ran with the story of “wet wipes cause allergies” which misrepresents the findings of the study. That isn’t to say you can’t develop allergies thanks to wet wipes – it’s a bit more complicated than that.

Research

The study showed how neonatal mice reacted to several allergens include peanuts and dust irritants. It isn’t always easy to pinpoint the causes of allergens. There’s still a long way to go; however, new research has put the spotlight on factors such as altered skin absorbance and exposure to dietary or environmental allergens.

Figures suggest that 35% of children who have allergies also have atopic dermatitis. This is typically caused by genetic mutations that affect the skin barrier.

With this in mind, the study was done using mice who had skin barrier mutations. The mice were exposed to peanuts, which had little effect on its own. However, when other factors were used in the study, the results showed that the mice began to develop dry skin – akin to dermatitis. Really, the results of this study were nothing new or groundbreaking.

What does this tell us?

Primarily it suggests that allergies develop due to non-direct exposure to them through the skin. This isn’t a concern though because it would require a ‘perfect storm’ of conditions. For an allergy to potentially occur, the baby wipe residue would have to be improperly washed away. Then a child would have to come into contact with an allergen. This is on top of the genetic predisposition they would need to have.

So where does the panic come from if we now know that you have to jump through multiple hoops to even come close to developing an allergy?

Apart from general media hysteria, it’s always a good idea to be vigilant with what products you use on your child. Soaps, like those found on baby wipes, can cause the skin barrier to damage the fats which over time can cause dry and itchy skin.

The bottom line though is that it’s unlikely that a child would develop an allergy from wet wipes alone. We’re becoming a very health conscious nation, so it’s understandable why we’re quick to believe the rumours without understanding the science behind it. It’s critical to take the rumours with a pinch of salt.

If you need to find out once and for all what’s causing your child’s skin to itch, book a test with one of our consultants today to find out more.

Adult allergies: why do they happen?

19th September 2018

Adult allergies: why do they happen?

If you suddenly find yourself with a blocked nose after a walk in the park, or your stomach turns after eating cake, there might be a reason why. Adult allergies can occur, and they aren’t uncommon.

The UK has some of the highest rates of allergic conditions with over 20% of the population suffering from at least one allergic disorder. But how do you know you have an allergy? What separates them from intolerances, and why do they randomly occur during adulthood?

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a reaction the body has to usually harmless substances such as dust or food. The immune system believes these allergens to be a threat and releases chemicals such as histamine in response. Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, and hives. In severe cases, allergies can have life or death consequences, with some triggers causing individuals to have an anaphylactic shock.

In the 20 years to 2012, there was a 615% increase in the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis in the UK.

What is an intolerance?

Intolerance is a sensitivity to specific ingredients. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. They affect the digestive system, whereas allergies affect the immune system. Intolerances aren’t life-threatening; however, some symptoms are more harmless than others such as bloating. Severe reactions include diarrhoea, rashes, or reflux.

Differences

The main difference between allergies and intolerances is that allergies can be a reaction to everything from food to pollen. Counter to that, intolerance is a discomfort to only food.

• Allergies can be life-threatening.
• Allergy symptoms happen almost immediately after consuming triggering ingredients.
• Individuals who suffer from an intolerance can eat triggering foods in small quantities.

Triggering ingredients often include gluten, dairy, and fructose.

Why do adult allergies develop?

It’s not uncommon for allergies to manifest during adulthood. Although there’s no definitive answer as to what’s behind a late onset of allergies, there are a few theories as to where they come from.

Exposure

If you suddenly start sneezing when you’re around allergens such as pet hair or pollen, it can be caused by a lack of exposure. If you’ve lived your life in a city with minimal plant life for example, suddenly being in a pollen-filled environment may trigger hay fever.

In some cases, you may have always had an allergy present. But it may have been so minor that you didn’t even notice as it caused minimal discomfort. It’s possible that the allergy increased during adulthood.

Another reason may be that little exposure to bacteria and dirt may increase vulnerability to allergies as the body suppresses the natural development of the immune system. So when our immune system does come into contact with unclean environments, the body overreacts.

Management

There are several ways to manage allergies including:

• Avoiding triggering environments, ingredients, and other allergens.
• Taking an antihistamine and using nasal sprays.
• Regularly cleaning your home.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy or intolerance, it’s best to find out the cause as soon as possible to reduce discomfort.

If you think you might be suffering from allergies but have never had them diagnosed, why not order one of our home testing kits today. Find out once and for all what’s causing you to sneeze and cough. Request an allergy test with us today or visit our website.