How to live with anaphylaxis

5th October 2022

How to live with anaphylaxis

Last month, the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology called for additional funding for the Fatal Anaphylaxis Registry. This registry is a vital lifeline living with anaphylaxis. Their data analysis helps to identify patterns in anaphylactic attacks so that we can better understand how it plays into our everyday lives.

And it’s easy to see why it’s needed. Anaphylaxis causes swelling in the throat, breathing difficulties, fainting spells, and potentially death. It’s taken many lives in some avoidable circumstances. If you’re here because you’ve recently learned it’s a risk for you or a loved one, this blog is for you. Let’s look at how to live with anaphylaxis.

Learning your triggers

The first step is knowing what you’re up against. If you’ve recently discovered something that sends you into anaphylactic shock, there might be more triggers that can cause it. Common ones include various foods (such as nuts, milk, or shellfish), certain medicines and drugs, insect stings, and even latex.

Talk to your doctor about an allergy test. Either through a skin prick test or a blood sample, they’ll find everything you’re allergic to.

Avoiding your triggers

When you have those results, you need to learn how to avoid them throughout your life. This will be a tough road, but something you have to do. Let’s focus on controlling what’s in your home first.

You’ll have to become skilled in reading food labels. With your results, you’ll know what ingredients to look out for. Your weekly food shop will likely become much longer as you interrogate every label, but over time, you’ll learn the products that work for you. 

If you’re allergic to a certain medicine, simply stay away from it. Or if you’re allergic to insect stings, keep your windows closed in summer and be careful in the garden. Consider insect repellent to keep them away. And if you do come close to something like a bee or wasp, stay calm and walk away slowly.

What to do when you’re out and about

Those tips are all well and good for your home. But when you head out, you have far less control over your environment. You’ll likely find that eating out is a particular headache. Always let wait staff know about your potential allergies. Many locations ask you about them as you sit down, so build up a list of locations where you know they take those extra precautions.

You might also struggle around your workplace. In this scenario, being open and honest with your manager or boss is your best course of action. They can be your support around the office, and put any steps in place to avoid you coming into contact with your triggers. Prepare for a long transition period as people learn to cooperate; some might not be as willing as others!

If you’re at risk of anaphylaxis, it isn’t going to be easy. And you’ll likely find your EpiPen is as vital as your keys when you leave the house. But there’s no reason you can’t still live a full life. Take the steps to keep yourself safe – and alive.

Are you worried about your anaphylaxis? Our allergists are here to help. With our years of expertise, you can trust us to be a source of knowledge and a friendly ear to talk to. You can register as a patient with us, or simply call us on 02031 433 449.

Everything you need to know about anaphylaxis

17th November 2021

Everything you need to know about anaphylaxis

“Anaphylaxis” – or “anaphylactic shock” – is a term you might have heard when people talk about allergies. You may have even seen a story about it in the news. But what exactly is it?

Approximately 1 in 1,000 people have or will experience anaphylaxis. It’s a severe allergic reaction to something your body doesn’t agree with. In medical terms, a “shock” is when your blood pressure drops so low that your body finds it hard to get oxygen to key organs. If not treated quickly, it can be fatal. Let’s look at what can cause it, what symptoms to look out for, and how doctors often treat it.

Types of anaphylaxis

Plenty of substances can cause an anaphylactic shock, but they can broadly be put into three categories:

• Food-induced anaphylaxis – This might be the one you hear of most. In children, peanuts, wheat, and cow’s milk are some of the most common causes. In adults, it’s slightly different, with seafood being more of a contributor. For some people, just being close to the food can cause a reaction.

• Drug-induced anaphylaxis – This is actually the most common cause of anaphylaxis. Antibiotics are a huge factor in this type of anaphylaxis.
• Insect-induced anaphylaxis – This is caused by the venom from an insect, such as a bee or wasp.

There can be other causes, such as general anaesthetic, latex, and even vaccines (in very rare cases).

Symptoms of anaphylaxis

Anaphylactic shock can go bad quickly. It’s why immediate action is needed. Some of the telltale symptoms to look out for include:

• Breathing difficulties (shallow breathing particularly)
• Lightheadedness
• Clammy skin
• Loss of consciousness

Do note that this is far from exhaustive, but are some immediate signs you could notice. In severe, potentially fatal cases, you’ll see extreme breathing problems and complete loss of consciousness. And it’ll happen fast – a couple of minutes is all it can take.

Treatment for anaphylaxis

The most common way you’ll see people treat it is with epinephrine – or more commonly known as an “EpiPen”. Many people who know they are at risk of anaphylaxis will carry one with them.

Even if it’s administered, it’s still vital that you call the emergency services. It needs proper medical oversight and isn’t something you can just treat at home. This is best left to the professionals.

If you want to try to avoid an anaphylactic shock, make sure the person with the allergy stays away from any triggers. In the case you aren’t sure what those are, talk to an allergy specialist about a test. The more you know about the condition, the better.

Whatever you do – and whether it’s you at risk, a family member, or a friend – always stay safe. Talk to your doctor about their recommendations for managing your allergy, and always contact them if you have any concerns.

Worried about your allergies? Talk to our allergy experts today to discuss your needs, how to stay safe, and put your mind at ease. You can register as a new patient here or call us on 02031 433 449.

Could this pill stop anaphylactic shock?

10th June 2020

Could this pill stop anaphylactic shock?

For some people with an allergy, they live in fear of an anaphylactic shock. We’ve seen many stories in the news of a child going into shock after eating something their body doesn’t agree with. It leaves some parents fearing for their child’s life.

As of now, the only way to prevent it is to be vigilant. Failing that, an EpiPen can be used to save someone’s life. But what if there was a pill you could take to stop any such reaction from ever happening? That’s something Northwestern University in America is hoping to make a reality.

What is this pill?

We want to start by saying this isn’t a reality yet. It’s still very much in the testing stages. But this new drug blocks mast cells from reacting to allergens. These are the parts of our body that cause the reaction that can lead to someone’s death.

In their tests, they found they could successfully reduce or even prevent allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis. It’s an exciting study because it would be the first known treatment to prevent the terrible reaction. If this is as promising as it appears, it could become the best way to avoid these severe reactions and save lives.

It would still need to go through human trials, so it has a long way to go. But it would be a better alternative to avoiding the allergen and would mean simple mistakes don’t have to be so costly.

How could this change things?

The intention is you would take this drug as a preventative measure. Researchers at Northwestern see it as something you would take before you eat something, taking the weight off of a parent’s shoulders.

Think of how it could change your life. You could go to a nice restaurant without worrying about what pan they used to cook your food. Or what oil they used. You could grab a bite to eat without reading the ingredients first. And, most importantly, it could stop terrible stories of children dying after eating something that looked perfectly fine.

For now, it’s still far away from being available for public use. But research such as this is promising and paints a bright picture of the future for allergy sufferers. Until that time comes, stay vigilant, watch out for allergens, and keep yourself safe.

In the meantime, consider taking the time to talk to a professional about your allergies. They can help you navigate a world full of allergens and keep you happy and healthy. If you would like to chat with one of our experts, get in touch on 02031 433 449.

What is anaphylaxis?

15th April 2020

What is anaphylaxis?

Stories like this one are unfortunately common but equally important to hear. A 16-year-old boy from Prescot died from an allergic reaction after eating a local takeaway pizza. Tragedies like these remind us all of how careful we need to be when it comes to allergies.

If the allergic reaction is bad enough, we can go into something called ‘anaphylactic shock’ (otherwise known as ‘anaphylaxis’). This is what most people who die from an allergy suffer from, and it can have a scarily high rate of death. If there’s one thing you need to know about allergies, it’s anaphylactic shock.

What is anaphylactic shock?

Anaphylaxis is a rare but serious reaction to an allergen. They are very common with food allergies but can come from reactions to other things, such as:

• Insect stings
• Medicine
• Latex
• General anaesthetic

Generally, the best way to prevent it is to stay away from your potential triggers. If you already have an allergy diagnosis, then good, but if you suspect you might suffer from an allergy, consider getting tested soon.

Here are some symptoms of an anaphylactic shock, so you can be prepared. If you ever feel these symptoms in yourself, find help quick:

• Breathing difficulties
• Lightheadedness, a feeling you’re going to faint
• Fast heartbeat
• Clammy skin

Anaphylaxis is usually treated with an adrenaline auto-injector – like an epipen – and depending on how severe the reaction is, maybe multiple times. Because it can lead to death, it requires serious medical attention quickly.

What to do in the event of an emergency

If you are ever in the unfortunate position of dealing with an anaphylactic shock in someone you know, these are the steps you should take:

1. If they have an epipen, use it. You will need to know how first though, so learn how to administer one. There will be plenty of guides online, such as this YouTube video.
2. Lie the person flat. You shouldn’t do this though if the person is pregnant or struggling to breathe.
3. Remove the allergen if you can find it. If it’s food, get it away from there or if it is an insect sting remove the stinger.
4. Call 999 as soon as possible. Make sure to let them know it’s an anaphylactic shock.

If you can stay calm and carry out these steps, you might just be able to save someone’s life. It’s a horrible thing we hope you never have to experience, but we should always be prepared. Allergies are something we all need to take seriously.

At London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we know all too well about the devastating effects of allergies. But you don’t have to suffer. Get in touch with us to talk about your allergy worries on 02031 433 449.

Sending your child with food allergies to school

22nd August 2018

Sending your child with food allergies to school

Being a parent of a child with food allergies can be daunting. When it comes to sending them to school, where their nutrition is out of your control, can be even worse. Common food allergies that children have, according to the NHS include:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Fish
• Shellfish

Although many other foods have been known to trigger an anaphylactic shock.

How to cope

There are ways which allow you and your child to have some reassurance while they attend school. By taking the necessary precautions you can create a safe environment for your child.

It’s important to make sure the school faculty are aware of your child’s allergies. This includes; nurses, canteen staff, teachers, and the headteacher. This allows you to be aware of the school’s system when taking care of an allergic reaction. In turn, you can have peace of mind while your child is away at school. Having good communication between staff and parents is beneficial in so many ways.

Making pre-packed food for your child is a great start. Mistakes can happen, and while kitchens adhere to strict standards, by managing what your child eats, you at least know that you’ve minimised the risk of ingestion. If your child is younger, by giving specialist snacks to your child’s teacher, you enable them to feel more integrated into the classroom.

Being prepared

Medication will need to be given to the acting school nurse. This supply of emergency medication should include an EpiPen. A legislation came into effect in October 2017 which allows schools in the UK to have spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs). The AAIs give a dose of adrenaline in the event of a severe allergic reaction, which could be life-saving. It’s especially important to inform the school if your child is at risk of an anaphylactic shock. Making sure you give permission to the staff to administer medicine is also vital. If staff are made aware they can be trained to spot when a child may be having an anaphylactic shock.

Some common symptoms of a food allergy include:

• An itchy sensation inside the mouth, throat or ears
• A raised, itchy, red rash
• Swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips, tongue, and roof of the mouth
• Vomiting

Posters around the school are another way to inform pupils as well as the staff information about allergies. Does your child’s school have these in place? If not, why not bring it up with the headteacher? Having posters around can also be a reminder for your child on the dangers. After all, your child’s safety is of paramount importance. Following these steps helps you both. Peace of mind for you, and a relaxed, stress-free environment for your child.

Do you think your child might be suffering from allergies but have never had them diagnosed? Let us help you. London Allergy and Immunology Centre will provide you with the best treatments available, so your allergies don’t get in the way of your life. Book an appointment with us today by calling 02031 433 449 or visit our website.

Are you nervous about your DIY home allergy test?

19th May 2018

Are you nervous about your DIY home allergy test?

Every week, we share instalments with you on allergies, how to better understand them, and what the cause might be. Recently we had a patient who (self-admittedly) made it quite difficult for her to be tested. She didn’t feel comfortable coming to the clinic. So a home allergy test kit seemed like the most viable option. She came a long way in her confidence to take the test and was kind enough to give her feedback. We thought we’d share this with those feeling hesitant about having a blood test.

Her story

“My first experience with a do-it-yourself-at-home allergy kit was horrendous. I know. It’s a weird way to start a five-star review, but I implore you to hear me out. I’ll start from the beginning.

I’m quite a stubborn individual. You’ll recognise the type; the one that rolls up their sleeves as they throw out the instructions because ‘I don’t need them’. It’s also handy to know that I am deathly afraid of needles.

After stabbing myself with all the injectors and barely a drop of blood coming out I’d convinced myself I was a vampire and it didn’t work. So I threw the kit away and thought I’d deal with the itchy skin and runny nose unaware of its cause.

Then I experienced an anaphylactic shock. Which, unsurprisingly, changed my mind. It was horrible, I was letting my dinner go down when my throat started to swell, and I could feel my airways tightening and constricting. I won’t go into the details, but it wasn’t pleasant.”

The change

“Up until this point, I’d get random bouts of allergy rashes on my hands and legs, now and then my lips would blow up like a duck in a way those craving botox would envy. It wasn’t pretty. Certain foods made me feel sick, but I’d become so used to tolerating feeling intolerant it just seemed easier to cope than to fix it.

I filled in the questionnaire on the website www.UKallergy.com and the lab sent me a home kit with a video to watch so that I could get tested properly. They were really comforting and easy to talk to about my symptoms and persuaded me – that if I follow the simple eight-step instructions – it would be easy and relatively painless.

They were right.

For one thing, I left my hands wet the first time around and so it was no wonder barely any blood could form. I didn’t stand up to let the blood circulate, and I didn’t use warm water to soften my hands first. This time, it took seconds, I got all the blood I needed with the first insertion, and really, it wasn’t that sore!

Following the instructions this time it was as they promised and I finally got the test done. I’m really grateful for the help and the support from The London Allergy and Immunology Centre.”

If you’re feeling nervous about taking your own blood for your allergy test, like patient A, there’s no need to be. We are here to help you every step of the way. Take a look at our help page. Here you’ll find step-by-step instructions and a straightforward video that will explain all. Together, we can uncover the allergens and prevent your daily discomfort.

Why do I have swollen lips?

20th April 2018

Why do I have swollen lips?

With the number of people with allergies increasing across the world, it’s essential to be aware of the symptoms. This will lead to a faster response and can save lives. Swollen lips are a sign that you could be experiencing an allergic reaction. They can signal a severe reaction, or a milder one, so being aware of other symptoms that come along with swollen lips is useful in determining the action you need to take.

Spotting the signs

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening type of allergic reaction. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include tightening airways, a swollen tongue, swollen throat, fainting, and a weak or rapid pulse. What is important to note with anaphylaxis is the timescale. These reactions will happen rapidly.

Immediate treatment with medication and contact to the emergency services is often necessary. Swollen lips can be one of the first signs of this type of reaction. Most people who suffer from a severe allergic reaction will know their triggers. They often carry the necessary treatments on their person.

Not an emergency?

Sometimes, even if you don’t think you have any allergies, you can still experience swollen lips. This might lead to confusion about whether your symptoms are a result of contact with an unknown allergen or for an unrelated reason. If you experience them often, without knowing a valid cause, it could point to an allergic reaction. In this case, getting tested for sensitivities to a wide variety of allergens could provide the answer to the cause of your symptoms. If you have banged, cut, burned, or damaged your lip, this could result in non-allergic swelling. In this case, your go-to treatment might be an ice pack.

Allergic swelling of the lip is also known as allergic angioedema. This term includes swelling of other parts of the body too. It is due to the release of histamine in response to an allergic trigger. This causes fluid to leak into the deep layers of skin in your lips which leads to swelling. There is a wide range of allergens that cause swollen lips, but some are more common than others. These include medications like penicillin, other antibiotics, and bites/stings. Food like cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are notorious for causing allergic angioedema. Also, some people with hay fever may experience swollen lips.

But, people with allergies often experience allergic reactions differently. Swollen anything isn’t fun, so don’t suffer in silence.

The best way to avoid lip swelling and symptoms of an allergic reaction is to avoid the triggering substances. If you don’t know what these substances are, it is wise to book an allergy test to determine your triggers to allow you to live stress-free and safe. At The London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we test for a selection of more than 600 allergens when you book an appointment with one of our consultants.

Talk about a delayed reaction

23rd January 2018

Talk about a delayed reaction

When it comes to severe allergic reactions, most of us are familiar with the expression ‘anaphylactic shock’. But we don’t always fully understand the extent of its seriousness. Anaphylaxis is usually a sudden reaction after exposure to a variety of allergens. It can take the form of an itchy rash, swelling of either the throat or tongue, and rapidly leads to lightheadedness and low blood pressure. In extreme cases, it can result in death. So it’s vital the early onset is caught immediately by administering an injection of adrenaline. (epinephrine) This prevents further development of reaction and the potential for death.

Anaphylaxis

In the US alone, anaphylaxis is the cause of roughly 1,500 deaths a year. It affects up to 15% of the population. Main causes of anaphylaxis are allergies to food, venom, drugs, and latex. It’s a little-known fact that anaphylaxis draws many similarities to a volcano. For the most part, sufferers know the risk exists, but have a disaster plan in place. Unfortunately, the extreme allergen-induced reaction carries another parallel to its naturally occurring counterpart: it can lie dormant.

This is known as ‘biphasic anaphylaxis’, and differs slightly from its more commonly-known cousin. Biphasic anaphylaxis takes place long after the initial shock and exposure to an allergen. The host suffers from an ongoing recurrence allergy symptoms until a secondary bout of anaphylactic shock.

Several epidemiological studies have been conducted with the hope of understanding how common biphasic anaphylaxis actually is. Its dormant nature has made it difficult to report a precise finding. Regardless of not being able to pin down an accurate report, there are no two ways about it; biphasic anaphylaxis is on the rise and currently affects 1 in 5 people. The shock itself varies from person to person. The typical reaction, however, is milder and less life-threatening than the original anaphylactic episode.

The most significant challenge with it being an unpredictable reaction – quite like its natural disaster counterpart – is that it can be impossible to foresee when the second phase of the reaction will strike, as well as how long the ongoing symptoms will occur as both are notably variable.

Second wind

As with most reactions, it’s a challenge to determine a one-size-fits-all answer as to the trigger of biphasic anaphylaxis. In recent years there has been an emerging pattern as to those patients more likely to suffer a secondary shock. Severe anaphylaxis reactions that require a higher dose than usual in the first instance or take longer to ‘recover’ are more likely to result in a biphasic response.

While the usual ‘reaction’ remedies of antihistamines or steroids prove entirely ineffective against preventing biphasic anaphylaxis, they do minimise any other irksome topical symptoms such as itchy skin and hives.

As off-the-shelf treatment is no match for biphasic anaphylaxis, other methods must be carried out in preparation. Awareness is the first step. It’s vital that you and the key people in your life understand how to properly handle an adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector in readiness for a secondary reaction. The updated advice after European review is recommended that 2 adrenaline auto-injectors are prescribed, which patients should carry at all times.

Preparing yourself for the signs of anaphylaxis is critical as this can be the difference between life or death. Once you have one anaphylactic shock, you are susceptible to another, so it’s a good idea to keep yourself as prepared as possible in the event of an emergency.

To find out more, speak to our specialists about anaphylaxis and allergy testing to find out what has caused the reaction in the past or any other advice relating to allergies. Visit our website to book an appointment.