Can you prevent allergies in your newborn baby?

22nd July 2020

Can you prevent allergies in your newborn baby?

Being the parent of a newborn baby can be a stressful time. Wrapped up in that bundle of joy is the worry about their health. One thing in particular that has gripped parents is the fear of a deadly food allergy or anything else they might be allergic to.

And it’s no surprise; it’s believed that 1 in 4 people in the UK have an allergy at some point in their lives. This is part of a wider trend of more and more people being diagnosed with allergies. It’s estimated that food allergy cases have risen by 50% in the past decade. But is there any way to prevent allergies in your newborn baby?

The mother’s diet

Some advice that you might see thrown about is to restrict what you eat while you’re pregnant. You would stop eating food that your child could be allergic to, such as peanuts, eggs, or dairy. This advice is false. There is no strong evidence that restricting what you eat will help your baby avoid allergies. This goes for after the birth when you’re breastfeeding – eat away!

Breastfeeding

Speaking of which, you should breastfeed your baby if you can, for at least the first six or so months, if not well beyond that. It isn’t likely to cause an allergic reaction in your infant and has great benefits to their immune system. It also has benefits for the mother and is a great way to build a strong bond with your new child. As for how it affects allergies, it’s not big enough to cause concern; you can’t pass your allergy down through the milk.

Introducing new foods

The right time to introduce solid foods to your child is at about six months old. If they can support their head, they should be fine with new foods. They shouldn’t be completely solid; try mushed-up food, pastes, or other popular baby food. Some say you shouldn’t introduce likely allergy triggers such as peanuts, eggs, or dairy, but research actually shows the opposite.

It recommends giving them to your child when they’re used to more solid food, trying one at a time. Delaying feeding them to your baby might actually increase the likelihood of them developing an allergy.

Asthma

It’s not a food allergy but is a common ailment in children, affecting 1 in 11 kids. To give your child the best chances of avoiding it, you should keep asthma triggers away from them if you can. This might mean taking the carpet out of their bedroom and using wooden or wood-effect floors to remove dust mites. Regularly wash their bedding and pillows (at least once a week). And this one goes without saying – don’t smoke around them.

If you’re scared about your child’s health, don’t be. By being sensible, you can make sure your baby has a normal life. If you ever have any allergy concerns, get in touch with your doctor for their expert advice. Just give your child the best life and if they do ever develop allergies, you can follow the advice in some of our other blogs.

Your child can still live a normal life with an allergy. If you want to talk to an allergy specialist, reach out to us on 02031 433 449.

Three strange allergies you’ve never heard about

29th April 2020

Three strange allergies you’ve never heard about

The world is a weird and wonderful place. In every corner of the globe, there is something unique that you’ve never even thought about before. It makes life more interesting – there’s always something new to discover and learn about.

And that goes for allergies too. Everyone knows about hay fever or peanut allergies, but how about some of these rare conditions? They aren’t your usual allergies in that they aren’t certain products or food. Let’s dive in!

Touch

This is a reaction to the pressure put on the skin when you touch it. As your finger runs over your skin, it leaves inflammation and welts in its path. It’s earned the condition the name ‘skin writing’ or – to use its proper term – dermatographism.

It is very rare, affecting 2-5% of the population. Thankfully, it’s not a life-threatening condition, and most of the inflammation seems to go down within 30 minutes. Symptoms come from histamine being released by mast cells on the skin. Histamine is the cause of many other allergies – such as hay fever – meaning dermatographism can also be treated with the same anti-histamine medication.

Vibrations

Clearly no one in the Beach Boys vibratory urticaria. This condition makes you sensitive to vibrations. Like dermatographism, your skin will react with red, itchy blotches. If you have been mowing the lawn, for example, you would likely see it on the hands.

Other symptoms include headaches, blurry vision, and fatigue. The vibrations don’t have to just be from the lawnmower; anything that causes you to vibrate might bring out the reaction – riding a bike being another example.

Your own child

In some rare cases, mothers of newborn babies can’t even hold their child. It’s a condition called pemphigoid gestationis and can appear during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Again, it is a skin condition, with itchy patches and blisters on the body. It can happen while the baby is still in the womb, or – as in this story – after the baby has been born.

It can be distressing for young mums who just want to hold their child. Some estimate it to occur in 1 in 50,000. Thankfully, it isn’t a true allergy and doesn’t last forever. For many mothers, it fades over time. So it isn’t a lifelong condition.

And those are just a few weird and wonderful reactions. While none of these were life-threatening, you should always be careful with any allergies. Always talk to a professional for an accurate diagnosis and advice on how to best live your life.

An allergy diagnosis doesn’t have to be a bad thing – most of them are easy to manage. What matters is how seriously you take them. To arrange a call with one of our experts, please call us on 02031 433 449.

The number of children needing hospital treatment for allergies is rising

29th January 2020

The number of children needing hospital treatment for allergies is rising

Allergies aren’t a new phenomenon. However, their prevalence is on the rise. According to Benadryl, there are 21 million adults with allergies in the UK and the figure is rising by 5% each year. Around 7% of children have food allergies and this number is on the rise. 

The causes of allergies

Our understanding of what causes allergies is growing, but there are still many questions we need to answer. Scientists say it could be down to a combination of factors, including:

• Genetics
• Being too clean
• Diet during pregnancy
• Pollution

However, none of these theories can explain the prevalence of all allergies or the increase at present. 

Increasing hospital visits

The number of children who received hospital treatment for their allergies has increased by 65% across England. In 2013/14, 2,873 teenagers needed treatment. In 2017/18, this rose to 4,743. As well as this, the number of children being treated for anaphylactic shock has increased by 41% in the past five years. 

Is it more dangerous?

The large increase in hospital treatments largely affected teenagers. Allergy professionals speculated this is a time where parental control became increasingly relaxed as children grew up. They might not question their food in the same their way parents did. However, it’s hard to ignore the incidents where children with allergies are being endangered through no fault of their own. 

In 2017, a schoolboy died after having a severe reaction to cheese which was thrown at him in school. Children have reported being scared to go to school because of classmates and teachers who don’t take their allergies seriously. Some parents have taken their children out of school believing the schools aren’t doing enough to safeguard the children. 

This lack of understanding can be fatal and there needs to be a focus on allergy education in schools if we want to keep more children safe. This will be especially important if the number of allergy-related hospital visits keeps rising.

The London Allergy and Immunology Centre helps give children and parents peace of mind by diagnosing allergy symptoms and providing expert treatments and preventative methods. We want to help remove the burden of allergies, so book an appointment today.

Are nut allergy risks over-exaggerated for children?

22nd January 2020

Are nut allergy risks over-exaggerated for children?

Allergies are scary when we look at the statistics. In the UK, peanut allergies affect around one in 50 children but they have been increasing over the last few decades. But these children with existing peanut allergies are also at increased risk of developing tree nut allergies with a likelihood of around 30-40%.  

We know these allergies can be severe, causing anaphylaxis. With the high number of people living with nut allergies, it’s easy for many to be wary of the harmful effects of an allergic reaction. These severe reactions lead to a lot of concern among parents and caregivers for children. But are the risks of nut allergies a little overblown in the UK?

Low risk of fatality

Despite the severity of anaphylaxis, deaths from food allergies in children and adults are very rare in the UK. There are an average of ten deaths per year from food-related anaphylaxis including both children and adults. That includes all food, not only nuts. In the UK, the most common cause of death in children aged 1 to 14 years is cancer, accounting for around 250 deaths per year.

The risk of complications

When we compare the numbers, it may seem as if allergy risks are overblown. However, even though an allergic reaction to nuts may not often result in a fatality, it can still lead to severe problems and hospitalisation. 

An anaphylactic shock can obstruct airways and cause blood pressure to drop. Without prompt treatment, it can leave people with brain damage from the lack of oxygen. It can even be so severe as to cause a coma. 

Allergies are serious

It’s no wonder many children and parents live their lives in a state of anxiety because of a nut allergy. They are serious and can cause life-altering conditions, if not death. We don’t blow the risks from nut allergies out of proportion in the UK. 

If anything, we need better awareness in schools and among caregivers to safeguard more children from the risk of anaphylaxis. However, with the right treatment and prevention methods, you can easily minimise the risks to a child with a nut allergy, allowing them to enjoy their childhood and live life to the full. 

All you need to do is to book an appointment with one of our specialist consultants. They can test you or your child for allergies and advise you on the best treatments to put your mind at ease. If you would like, you can book an appointment here.

Children and allergies: The dos and don’ts

11th December 2019

Children and allergies: The dos and don’ts

Childhood is supposed to be filled with fun, adventure, playtime, and discovery outdoors. But itchy eyes, runny noses, and sore throats get in the way! It’s not always possible for your child to have fun if their seasonal allergies are playing up. Hay fever is a particular problem in the summer. But autumn and winter bring their own issues. It’s the perfect time for other allergens like mould and dust to take their toll and yes, even hay fever can still rear its head. So here are some ways to deal with your child’s symptoms. 

A nice hot bath

We can’t control the outdoors, but we can control the amount of allergy exposure. If your child has been outside all day, when they come back in, they’ll bring allergens like pollen and mould in with them. 

You don’t have to stop them from playing outside, but when they come in at the end of the day, make sure they bathe from head to toe, including shampooing the hair. This prevents any allergens getting on their bed, clothes, and other furniture. It may also be a good idea for everyone to take off their shoes when they come into the house. 

Over-the-counter

Over-the-counter antihistamines provide effective relief from persistent allergy symptoms. However, some come with side effects. Try to avoid ones that cause drowsiness and sluggishness for children, like diphenhydramine, and instead opt for others like cetirizine, fexofenadine, and loratadine. Antihistamines which cause drowsiness could affect children’s listening, wakefulness, and school performance. 

Go to the doctor

If over-the-counter medicines don’t seem to be effective enough, you should think twice about turning to natural remedies. Some people believe, for example, that eating locally sourced honey can cure hay fever. However, many of these claims have been extrapolated from unfounded studies to form false promises. 

If your child is really struggling with their allergies, it’s best to visit an allergy doctor who knows what methods of treatment are safe and likely to be most effective for your child. You’ll be able to rely on a professional with years of experience to ensure you get regulated therapies. 

It’s hard enough dealing with allergies all summer, not to mention autumn and winter too. So if it starts to get a little overwhelming, don’t hesitate to book an appointment at The London Allergy and Immunology Centre. Our consultants can effectively identify and treat allergies, providing long-lasting relief.

How to keep children with allergies safe this Halloween

30th October 2019

How to keep children with allergies safe this Halloween

It’s easy to underestimate how life-changing allergies can be. Their impact can range from simple inconvenience to fatality. And as a parent nothing can be more worrying than an allergy condition in your child. Allergies can cause children to miss out on exciting parts of childhood that their allergy-free friends may love. Sleepovers, birthday parties, and as Halloween comes around, trick-or-treating. 

The Teal Pumpkin Project

For some children, all it takes is one sweet to trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction. The Teal Pumpkin Project was started in the US by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). It has since spread across the Atlantic to help children with allergies enjoy the magic of Halloween. 

A teal pumpkin on a doorstep or on display in a window means the household is offering non-food Halloween treats like glow sticks, stationary, or small toys. All you need to do is get a real or false pumpkin and paint it teal if you want to participate. 

Tips for an amazing allergy-free Halloween

There are plenty of things you can do to make Halloween more inclusive for children with allergies, like:

• Adding your name to the Teal Pumpkin Project participation map
• Getting the children involved in creating teal pumpkins
• Getting your hands on some great food-free trick-or-treat items 

If you need some ideas, you could buy some spooky toys, stationery, beads, glow sticks, stickers, temporary tattoos, masks, or any other fun items you find in your local pound shop. You can even make your own gifts like Halloween rock monsters. 

There are also steps you can take to minimise the chances of your child coming into contact with an allergen. For example:

• Making gloves a part of their Halloween costume so they’re not putting their hands directly into contact with allergens
• You can avoid trick-or-treating, instead involving children in decorating the house to be as spooky as possible 
• Have them take part by handing out non-food items to trick-or-treaters who come knocking
• At the end of the night, go through your child’s sweets and remove anything that is unsafe, trading them for a toy instead. 

No child should have to miss out on fun events because of their allergies. As the world becomes more educated about allergy dangers, solutions like the Teal Pumpkin Project are becoming more popular and inclusive. We hope you have a safe, happy Halloween!

If yours or your child’s allergies are taking a toll on your quality of life, it’s important to seek expert advice. The consultants at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre use the most advanced tests and treatments to get you back on track. You can book an appointment here or call us on 0207 034 8098.

Frequently Asked Questions: Allergies in babies

14th August 2019

Frequently Asked Questions: Allergies in babies

Allergies are extremely common worldwide, with figures rising consistently over the past fifty years. As adults, we can tell when something’s not right and get the help we need, but babies can’t do this. Rates of sensitivity in children are approaching around 40% worldwide. 

Babies can’t tell you how they’re feeling. So it’s important you’re aware of all potential allergens and note any changes to your baby.

Could my baby have hay fever?

While you can get hay fever at any age, the likelihood of developing it so young is slim. It tends to begin in childhood or in the teenage years.They haven’t lived long enough to come into contact with pollen year after year, so it’s hard to gauge whether or not it’s hay fever. After all, the symptoms are similar to a cold.

Is it a cold or an allergy?

Allergy symptoms can be similar to a common cold, making them difficult to identify. If your baby has cold-like symptoms, it’s important to pay attention to their duration and what is or isn’t accompanying them.

A common cold will stick around for two weeks or so, whereas allergy symptoms will likely last a bit longer. A fever doesn’t accompany an allergic reaction, so if your baby has one you’ll know it’s a cold. If you suspect they’re experiencing aches and pains, it’ll also be a cold rather than an allergic reaction.

Can I prevent my child from developing a food allergy?

It’s easy to assume that you should avoid feeding your baby common allergens. But, believe it or not, doing this can actually increase your baby’s chance of developing an allergy. 

A 2015 study found that early introduction of peanuts decreased the prevalence of peanut allergies amongst children. Research suggests that – even with children who are at high risk for allergies – you should introduce common allergy-producing foods to your child between 6 and 12 months.

However, it’s not enough to give them peanut paste once and then never again; this is even more likely to encourage an intolerance. Try and give your child these foods regularly. When introducing top allergy-producing foods to your child, always be extra cautious of any changes or symptoms. Find more information here.

It can be difficult to identify allergies in babies because they’re unable to express how they’re feeling. It’s important you keep a note of any contact with potential allergens and watch your baby closely. If you come across anything that looks like cause for concern, go to your doctor, even if it seems minor.

If you want more guidance on allergies in babies, or want to book an allergy test for yourself or your little one, give us a call on 02031 433 499.

Are food allergy concerns for our children exaggerated?

28th March 2019

Are food allergy concerns for our children exaggerated?

In 2006, child health experts Allan Colver, from the University of Newcastle, and Jonathan Hourihane, from University College York, went head to head to debate whether the dangers of food allergies in children were exaggerated.

Since 2006, childhood allergies have been on the rise. In 2018, around 7% of children had a food allergy. However, experts claim that food-allergy-related deaths are still rare. Food allergies are not the leading cause of death for people with them, so why all the concern?

Food for thought

Professor Colver said that we often think food allergies are more frightening and dangerous than pneumonia, asthma, or diabetes. However, ONS data shows that between 2012 and 2016, just five child deaths were traceable to food allergies. In fact, data shows that the leading cause of death in children is cancer, accounting for over 20% of childhood deaths.

Colver argued that increasing prescription of emergency prophylaxis to children fuels anxiety. This creates the perception that food allergies pose a greater risk to children than data suggests.

On the other hand

But Professor Hourihane argued that there’s no evidence to suggest that the prescription of prophylaxis medication increases anxiety and they’re an essential part of allergy management, helping to keep risk low in children with allergies. You could also blame the media for why some people believe the risk of food allergies to children is high.

News stories about this topic are becoming more common. There was 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who suffered a fatal reaction to a baguette from Pret a Manger. In 2018, a 13-year-old boy died after coming into contact with cheese at school. With the rise in social media, we’re not just limited to stories from the UK, but globally. This may make the incidents of allergy-related deaths in children seem more concerning. Especially when we look at the global population of children (around 1.9 billion).

From this, we could reasonably suggest that the fatal risk of food allergies to children is low. However, this is likely a result of the healthcare, education, and legislation put in place to protect children in the UK. Other countries may not follow the same laws or have the same level of healthcare available to vulnerable children. It’s why we still need to do our best to raise awareness of the dangers of food allergies in children.

If you’re worried that your child suffers from an allergy, get in touch with the experts at London Allergy and Immunology Centre on 020 314 334 49. We can test for over 100 allergies at a time and provide the best treatment for them, so don’t wait.

Dummies and allergies: what’s the link?

3rd December 2018

Dummies and allergies: what’s the link?

As a parent, you’re probably already keenly aware of germs and dirt coming into contact with your child. In our clean-conscious culture, we want to ensure our children don’t contract anything potentially harmful.

Picture the scenario: your little angel is in a devilish mood. After the toys and the drink the,y resort to throwing their dummy on the floor. You go to pick it up, and you do one of two things. You clean it under the tap or with a wipe, or you stick it in your mouth.

If that second option sounds wrong or unhealthy, you might want to think again. Some studies suggest that this might be one way to reduce the risk of allergies later in your child’s life.

Research

A study of 128 women recorded preferred methods of cleaning dummies. Allergist Dr Eliane Abou-Jaoude, MD, ACAAI member, was a lead author on the study conducted by Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. Only 12% of those mums reportedly cleaned it with their own mouths. Interestingly, the study found that these children had lower levels of IgE.

IgE is an antibody in the body that is responsible for allergic responses. Higher IgE means that your child is more likely to develop allergies and conditions such as asthma. Of the 41% who sterilised the dummies and the 72% who used soap and water to clean them, it was found to have a negligible effect on the IgE levels in their children.

How does it work?

One explanation for this is that by not thoroughly cleaning the dummy, microorganisms that help with the development of the immune system remain, which in turns helps to protect against allergies later in life.

However, we recommend taking this study with a pinch of salt as far more research is required. You should still clean any dummies thoroughly if it has come into contact with bacteria or dirt. There are no adverse effects if you do, whereas the same can’t necessarily be said for cleaning it in your own mouth.

Allergies are a serious health problem, and whether or not we are one day able to lower IgE levels, allergy tests are critical. Food allergies alone affect 3-6% of children in the UK.

We highly recommend allergy tests as early on as possible to avoid symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and swelling of the mouth. In serious cases, there is also a risk of anaphylaxis. It’s critical to have your child tested for allergies if yourself or other family members have allergies or a condition such as eczema or asthma as this is a sign that your child is more likely to have it too.

At the London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we can help to identify allergy triggers your child might suffer from. Contact us today to find out how we can help you and your child. If you want to read more about the study mentioned in this blog, please click here.

Identifying and preventing allergies in infants

12th August 2018

Identifying and preventing allergies in infants

The BSACI Paediatric Allergy Group (PAG) and the Food Allergy Specialist Group (FASG) of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) have developed guidance to identify allergies in higher risk infants and advice in early prevention of allergies. To find out more about prevention according to the new guidelines, keep reading.

Prevention

The BSACI has outlined a summary for parents to minimise the risk of allergies. The guide advises that prevention start from 6 months of age onwards.

6 months

Studies show that infants not breastfed were 3.6 times more likely to be hospitalised compared to those who exclusively breastfed for four months or more. Their recommended course of action goes like this:

• Exclusive breastfeeding for around the first 6 months of life.
• From around 6 months of age (but not before 4 months), introduce complementary foods (solids) – including foods known to cause food allergies – alongside continued breastfeeding.
• Excluding egg and peanut from your baby’s diet is not strictly necessary as it is likely to increase the risk of food allergy.

Studies show that despite the relatively early introduction of solid foods, consumption of peanut and hen’s egg during infancy is not common practice with 73% of infants consuming less than one or no eggs per week; with 98% of infants consuming less than or no nuts.

Complementary foods should be pureed and offered in small amounts of vegetables, fruit, starchy foods, protein, and pasteurised dairy. Do not add salt or sugar.

Next step

Signs your baby is ready for solid foods include:

• Being able to sit relatively unaided in a high chair, with their head steady.
• Trying to reach out to grab food and put in their mouth.
• Loss of the “tongue-thrust” reflex – babies who aren’t ready push the food back out with their tongue, so they get more around their face than they do in their mouths.

High risk

Babies who suffer from eczema are likely to be at a higher risk of allergies*. The BSACI advise that you should introduce egg and/or peanut earlier on in their diet (4 months of age), followed by other foods known to cause food allergies.

The benefits of allergy testing in higher-risk babies before introducing egg or peanut needs to be balanced against the risk this could cause a delay (due to lack of available testing) and increase the risk of food allergy.

*Some babies will already have food allergies, especially those with severe eczema. The risk of a severe reaction (anaphylaxis) is low (1-2 per 1000 in these babies). Speak to your healthcare professional before introducing egg and peanut if your baby has severe eczema.

Guide to egg and peanut

• Egg – choose British lion-stamped eggs. Aim to give your child one egg over the course of the week.
• Peanut – never give your baby whole nuts – make sure you chop them finely. The guide advises that you use smooth peanut butter, “puffed peanut” snacks or grind whole peanuts to a fine powder. Mix with pureed fruits/vegetables, yoghurt, porridge, baby cereals etc.

It can be a scary time in your life when you find out your child has food allergies. You worry the future will be filled with anxiety, but that doesn’t mean you and your child can’t live a normal life.

These guidelines are for infants who’s allergies have not yet been diagnosed. If you think your little one might have an allergy and would like further testing, get in touch today to book an appointment. To find out more about the BSACI, click here.