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.

Kicking allergy worries to the curb: How to stay in control

25th September 2019

Kicking allergy worries to the curb: How to stay in control

For anyone with an allergy, there comes a point when you feel like giving up. You’re sick and tired of allergies getting in the way of plans with friends, holidays, dates, and the constant irritation they bring. You want to scream, and the only reason you don’t is you know it won’t make a difference to your symptoms. Your eyes will keep itching, your nose will keep running, your stomach will keep bloating, and you’ll keep having to cancel plans. That is until you take a stand and do something about this annoyance.

Almost 20% of allergy patients struggle daily with the fear of a possible asthma attack, anaphylactic shock, or even death from an allergy. But having an allergy doesn’t mean you have to suffer from it. While many allergies are severe, and a simple trip to the pharmacy won’t stop them, there are behavioural changes, medical techniques, and ways to educate yourself so you no longer feel like your allergies are in control.

Educate yourself

It’s surprising how many people don’t know the ins and outs of their own allergy. However, the internet might not always be the best place to learn, considering it’s full of myths. But if you want to master your allergy, you’ll need to sift through the false information and get to the facts. One of the best ways to do this is to take direction from a professional allergist. Ask your allergy doctor for reputable sources and information regarding your allergy and any advice they can give. As experts in the field, they can give you helpful tips to make sure you know all you need to know to stay safe and live the life you want. 

Seek expert advice

While there isn’t a cure for allergies, there are more and more treatments available to help treat them. You might not know of some advanced treatments including immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy, or anti-IGE treatment. These treatments have changed many people’s lives, giving them relief from the symptoms of even severe allergies. To find out if there are more advanced treatments available for your allergy, you’ll need to talk to an allergy consultant who is an expert in treating allergies. 

Those with severe allergies may never know the luxury of being able to do things on a whim, like catching flights and visiting random restaurants that catch your eye on the high street. You must plan ahead. But this doesn’t mean life has to be boring. Most people wish they were more organised because it helps you to make time for friends and families, not waste time, and experience new things without feeling rushed or stressed. 

Sometimes, changing your mindset can be as good as changing your lifestyle to live a fulfilling life with an allergy. But medical treatment and advice is the best way to change your life and stay in control of your allergies. Get in touch with one of the consultants at London Allergy and Immunology Centre today on 0203 143 3449.

Food allergies in plain English: a guide for parents and carers

28th August 2019

Food allergies in plain English: a guide for parents and carers

If you’re new to the world of allergies, we know they can be confusing. If you’re caring for your first child with allergies, there are several important things to know. Around 7% of British children have a food allergy. Sometimes, it can be hard to get straight to the relevant information online. We’ve written this guide in plain English so it’s easy to understand, and you can get some helpful tips on how to deal with a child with a food allergy.

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system reaction to a particular food (the allergen). This means if your child ingests the food, or sometimes even comes into contact with particles from it, they will experience an allergic reaction. These reactions can be severe and immediate, which is known as anaphylaxis, and this can be deadly. It can also take a little longer, with milder symptoms including a rash, hives, swollen face, lips, or eyes, a blocked nose, watering eyes, or stomach pain for example. 

What is anaphylaxis?

This is a type of allergic reaction which may cause your child to find it difficult to breathe, come out in hives or a rash, develop swollen lips or tongue, to faint, vomit, or feel like something awful is about to happen. It can be fatal. If you think your child is having an anaphylactic reaction, call the emergency services and administer any emergency allergy medication the child uses, such as their Epipen. 

What problems can a food allergy cause a child?

Some children might benefit from seeking the help of a dietician, particularly if they have several allergies, because they might struggle to get all the essential nutrients they need. This is particularly important for young infants who have a milk allergy.

Is there a cure for food allergies?

Although researchers work continuously to find the answer to an allergy cure, there isn’t one just yet. However, you should visit an allergy specialist to find the best treatments available to your child which can greatly improve their quality of life and reduce any risks. You can also:

• Teach your child about their allergy
• Teach all their caregivers about the allergy
• Speak to a professional allergist who can advise you on how best to manage the allergy

The best way to combat the risk from a food allergy is to make sure everyone is educated on the subject. You can use this guide to help you inform other people about the child’s allergy, helping to keep them safe throughout the day.

If you have more questions, the consultants at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre are happy to help. They can test your child for allergies and provide the best treatments and advice to keep them safe. All you need to do is book an appointment by calling 0203 143 3449.

Allergy do’s and don’ts for your home

16th February 2019

Allergy do’s and don’ts for your home

Aside from using everyday medications, there are many things you can do in your home to manage your allergies. This is true for both mild allergies and life-threatening ones, which can lead to anaphylaxis. Here are a few tips.

Have emergency kits on hand

Every second counts when it comes to treating someone experiencing a severe allergic reaction. You should keep an emergency kit in your home, preferably one on each floor, and make sure everyone in the household knows where to find it. This is especially useful if you know someone in the house has an easily triggerable allergy, such as a nut or bee sting allergy. That way, it’s within reach should something happen. The kit should contain all medications prescribed by your doctor for your allergies, like antihistamines and epinephrine. And it’s always good to make sure you have two doses of epinephrine as around 20% of people require a second dose.

Assign seats at the table

Food allergies are one of the most common causes of allergic reactions in the UK, with around two million diagnosed with the condition. If a family member has a food allergy, it’s crucial that they don’t come into contact with those foods. Having set places at the table avoids cross-contamination and reduces the risk of your family member coming into contact with allergens that other family members may not react to. Some would go as far as making sure certain types of food don’t enter the house. How strict you are will depend on the severity of their allergy.

Don’t rely on sanitizers

Whether used for your hands, kitchen counters or the dinner table, hand sanitisers are not a reliable way to remove allergens. A study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that liquid soap, commercial wipes, and bar soap removed peanut allergens from hands. Plain water left detectable levels of peanut allergens. And, hand sanitizer left the most detectable levels of peanut allergens. Just stick to soap.

Dealing with allergies in the household becomes more straightforward with a little organisation. These are just a few tips out of many, but the most important one? Use some common sense, be aware of triggers, and stay safe.

If you want to book an appointment with one of our consultants for an allergy test, or to discuss your treatment, call us on 02031 433 449. We will be more than happy to help.

What can happen if you leave your allergies untreated?

7th February 2019

What can happen if you leave your allergies untreated?

We’re all aware of what allergies are. We know the signs, the symptoms, the methods to treat them. If you’re one of the unlucky few (or unlucky many, considering how common they are), it’s likely the cause is food, insect stings, medication, or pollen, to name the most common.

We also know that in the worst of circumstances they can lead to anaphylaxis. This can spiral into serious problems like an inability to breathe or cardiac arrest. The number of people admitted to hospital as a result of anaphylaxis increased by 615% from 1992 to 2012, with almost 20 people dying from it per year in the UK alone. If this can happen when you’re on top of your allergy, what could possibly happen if you put off treating it?

Mild allergies

This can be all too tempting if you have milder symptoms. Allergies are the most common chronic disease in the UK, with over 20% of the population reporting to have an allergy. However, for many of us, symptoms are often not fatal. You might experience a runny nose, a rash or hives, asthma, coughing and sneezing, watery eyes, and bowel irritation, but overall, it’s nothing more than a slight inconvenience.

People feel they can ignore their allergy symptoms because they think they can deal with them without medical intervention. For some, this might be true in very mild cases. For others, you could set yourself up for more future problems. There is little evidence to suggest that leaving everyday allergies untreated can worsen your symptoms for that allergy, but you can create new health issues by doing so.

Long-term effects

For example, untreated allergic rhinitis can lead to sinus and ear infections due to the inflammation and swelling. When inflamed, sinuses are not as good at draining fluid. They provide the perfect place for bacteria to accumulate, grow, and cause infection. Untreated allergies may also worsen other chronic problems such as asthma, and skin disorders like eczema and hives.

These are just some physical complications. Untreated allergies can also have lasting impacts on your life in other ways. One Norwegian study showed how children experiencing symptoms of hay fever received worse grades than their peers. In adults, allergy symptoms caused people to miss days of work or report serious impairment at their job.

Don’t suffer in silence

Avoiding allergy treatment can not only lead to other health issues, but it can also lead to low productivity, and reduced performance. Not to mention the constant irritation that can dampen every daily experience.

Therefore, it is essential you visit health professionals who can advise you on the best way to treat and manage your symptoms. With the technology and treatments readily available, there is no reason you should have to suffer in silence, no matter how mild your symptoms are. It might not lead to anaphylaxis, but it still needs seeing to.

At the London Allergy and Immunology Centre, our consultants take you through your options step by step, making sure you get the best possible solution to your allergy problems. So, get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449, or book an appointment here.  

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.

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.