Allergies and the COVID vaccine: is there anything to worry about?

3rd November 2021

Allergies and the COVID vaccine: is there anything to worry about?

If anything encapsulates 2021, it’s the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. After 2020, this year has certainly felt more hopeful thanks to the tireless efforts of the medical community. But some people have hesitancy about the vaccine or booster shots, unaware of how it might affect them.

This includes those with allergies. As vaccines can be made with a number of ingredients, some people have wanted to wait until they’re 100% sure it won’t lead to a reaction. Now we have studies that show the risk to people with allergies is low. If you’re still unsure, here’s what the research has to say.

If you want to read more about it yourself, you can find the government’s report on the matter here. The results are in relation to the most popular vaccines: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna.

Can you be allergic to the ingredients?

Certain substances will cause people to have an allergic reaction. When it comes to a vaccine, there are a few in particular that might make you worried. But going by the report, there’s very little to worry about.

If you have an allergy to penicillin, you don’t have to worry. Similarly, there has been no statistically significant reports of people with severe food allergies reacting to any vaccine. This includes eggs – none of the vaccines contain any.

What about the equipment used?

Latex is a concern for some and it can cause awful skin reactions. It’s also used as a material in some medical devices, especially stoppers in vials. But none of the vaccines use latex for storing or administering the shot.

If you have an allergy to something like pollen or dust mites, there’s also no need to worry.

What if I had a skin reaction to the first dose?

In rare cases, some people may have reported patches of itchy skin after their first dose. Going by the government’s advice (linked above), you should still get your second dose. Though when you do, it should be under prolonged observation, in a setting capable of dealing with any reactions.

How common are severe reactions to vaccines?

Severe reactions are few and far between. Only 1 case per 1 million has led to anaphylaxis in the UK between 1997 and 2003. It wasn’t fatal. The COVID vaccines are likely to be at just as low a rate.

Something to note is that a side effect of the vaccine – such as swelling around the injection site or flu-like symptoms – can be confused with allergic reactions. Just keep this in mind when you have your vaccine.

You can find a lot more information in the government report linked at the start. If you have any allergies and are worried about a potential vaccine or booster shot, tell the people giving you the injection. The more information they have, the more they can do to keep you safe. Always talk to a medical professional first.

Other than that, make sure to get vaccinated, stay safe, and let’s make 2022 an even better year than this one!

If you ever have any allergy concerns, get in touch with one of our specialists. They will talk you through any questions you might have. Reach out to us on 02031 433 449.

The global impact of COVID-19 on chronic urticaria

28th April 2021

The global impact of COVID-19 on chronic urticaria

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted almost everything. It’s affected schools, workplaces, shops, and even medical practices. But the impact of the pandemic on various health conditions like chronic urticaria (CU), which affects 50 million patients globally, is still largely unknown. 

Common questions and concerns revolve around whether the treatments for CU can affect COVID, making patients more likely to contract it or worsen their symptoms. That’s why we conducted our own study to help shed some light on the impact of the pandemic on consultations, treatment, and changes in medication for patients with chronic urticaria.

What we did

We wanted to take stock of what other professionals experienced during the pandemic. A 17-item questionnaire was sent out to all 110 centres within the UCARE network. These questions focused on the most prevalent issues faced by urticaria specialists in this last year, and how this affected the care they could give.

Of the 110 surveys sent out, 95 responded.

How does COVID affect chronic urticaria?

First, let’s look at it on a physical level. With COVID-19 being a question mark for people with CU, we wanted to know if it adversely affected them. And that’s exactly what we found – COVID made CU symptoms worse for more than a third of patients. Those with severe COVID were more likely to have exacerbated CU symptoms compared to those with mild or moderate cases.

But does merely having CU make it more likely to contract the coronavirus. Our research shows that no, it doesn’t seem to increase the risk of sufferers developing a severe COVID reaction, even in patients on biological treatment (antihistamines, omalizumab). So while they aren’t more likely to catch it, there’s still a good enough reason to want to avoid it.

Chronic urticaria treatments and COVID

Next, we wanted to address how COVID affected CU treatment. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the pandemic made care for CU patients much harder to access, with almost half of the physicians in the study involved in COVID patient care, too. But with the study outlining how COVID can worsen CU symptoms, it’s clear that specialised urticaria centres are essential.

While the pandemic is making care harder to receive, it doesn’t have any significant effect on the use of first, second, and third-line treatments for CU. For example, antihistamine and omalizumab treatment continued as usual. Physicians agreed that antihistamines at the usual or higher doses are safe, even for patients with COVID-19.

In fact, antihistamines actually decreased the likelihood of fatality in patients with severe or critical lung COVID symptoms. And the same could be true for omalizumab, with 92.6% of physicians agreeing omalizumab is safe, too.

But only 24.2% agreed that immunosuppressive treatments (like cyclosporine) can be continued. 

Our research shined a much-needed light on a condition that’s gone underappreciated during the pandemic. It highlights that we need to ensure those with CU still receive the treatment they need, and that safeguarding is of top priority. We were driven by our dedication to urticaria and always raise awareness of the condition for October 1st – National Chronic Urticaria Day.

Struggling with chronic urticaria? Regain control of your life. Allergy Clinic London has a team of experts who are dedicated to helping you get control of your symptoms. Call us now on 02031 433 449.

FAQ: Is it hay fever or COVID?

21st April 2021

FAQ: Is it hay fever or COVID?

The sun’s finally making an appearance again, lockdown is lifting, and we’re all getting a much-needed taste of freedom. But we’re also entering prime pollen season and are still facing a global pandemic. So hay fever and COVID-19 are both about to clash.

One in four people in the UK has hay fever. And as the symptoms of hay fever and COVID can vary so much person to person, it’s not unusual to be left scratching your head about whether you’re feeling under the weather because of your usual allergies or if it’s something more sinister.

With this in mind, we’re here to tackle some of the most common questions you may have about hay fever and COVID.

When does hay fever hit?

Typically, hay fever rears its ugly head from May to July. For frequent sufferers, this is often when symptoms hit their peak. But it isn’t uncommon for them to begin as early as February or as late as September.

The reason? Different pollen types will peak at different times of the year. And, as your allergies will vary year on year, it’s difficult to predict when you might start experiencing symptoms. If you’re a frequent sufferer, we recommend starting your preventative measures early to get ahead.

What symptoms overlap?

Symptoms of both hay fever and the coronavirus will vary largely from person to person. Common symptom overlaps are a loss of smell, sweating, headaches, a blocked nose, and generally feeling unwell. Experiencing any of these will warrant some extra thought – and perhaps even a quick COVID test just to be sure!

Hay fever can also heighten asthma in sufferers, resulting in wheezing and shortness of breath. As this is also one of the key signs of the coronavirus, it’s clear to see why some get confused.

I’ve never had hay fever before; is it coronavirus?

Just because you’ve never had hay fever before doesn’t mean you can’t get it now. There’s no rhyme or reason to hay fever. Some people don’t experience hay fever until later in life. Don’t rule out hay fever just because it’s something you’ve never experienced before.

What do I do if I’m unsure?

As per government guidelines, if you experience a high temperature, continuous cough, or loss of taste or smell, you must self-isolate. Out of the two issues, COVID is far more dangerous, and it’s safer to not assume your symptoms are just hay fever until you have a test to confirm.

If you’re a frequent hay fever sufferer, the best thing to do is to try to get ahead of your symptoms altogether. That means taking daily over-the-counter hay fever medication, minimising time spent outdoors, and closing windows and doors to prevent pollen from getting inside.

If you can reduce your chances of experiencing hay fever symptoms, you also reduce the worry of having to decipher between COVID and your allergies.

At London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we always recommend speaking to a professional about any new symptoms – allergy or otherwise. If you think you have COVID-19, get in touch with the NHS on their website. If you think it is an allergy, we’d be more than happy to help. Get in touch on 02031 433 449.

Will the lockdown have an effect on our allergies?

26th August 2020

Will the lockdown have an effect on our allergies?

The lockdown has been part of our lives for some months now. It’s eased up recently, but there are still restrictions on what you can do. And, depending on where you live, your lockdown might be more strict than somewhere else. Basically, life’s still a bit up in the air.

It makes you question how it affects our health. Are we doing less exercise, meaning we pile on the pounds? Or does the lack of traffic lead to less air pollution, meaning our lungs are breathing in cleaner air? It’s no doubt something researchers will be interested in for years to come.

Some are even looking at the lockdown’s effects on allergies. Over in Ireland, research is underway to see if it’s affecting our infants…

The study

Researchers from the department of paediatrics at Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI), along with some from Children’s Hospital at Temple Street in Dublin, will be looking into the effects of the lockdown on babies in relation to allergies.

Their thoughts centre around the lower rates of infections and improved air quality that have come from the lockdown. They are researching whether this makes developing allergies more or less common. The large-scale study will involve 1,000 babies born between March and May 2020.

Professor Jonathan Hourihane, Professor of pediatrics at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is leading the study. He says allergic diseases like eczema, asthma, hay fever, and food allergies have become more common in the last 30 years. And – according to the NHS – he isn’t wrong. He says recent events provide a “unique scientific opportunity” to examine the origins of allergies.

The immune system

Talking about this research, Professor Hourihane said: “After birth, a baby’s immune system soon focuses on all the new challenges that life outside the womb brings, including fighting off infections and responding to immunisations.”

“We want to see children playing on the floor, getting dirty and being exposed to lots of people in lots of environments. The outcome of this is usually a stronger immune system, linked to a healthy population of gut bacteria, called the microbiome.”

“Ireland’s Covid-19 lockdown appears to have reduced the amount of other viral infections, which typically circulate in the community.”

“We have seen less than half the usual number of attendances at paediatric emergency departments and rates of seasonal influenza and other late spring upper respiratory viruses seemed much lower than usual during this time.”

The babies taking part in the study will have a blood sample taken at the start. Then, one year later, another sample will be taken to test for COVID-19 antibodies. They’ll also look at stool samples to see the baby’s microbiome. And, of course, there will be an allergy test at one and two years old to test for any allergic conditions.

We’ll have to wait to find out what their results are, but they could change how we think about allergies. It will no doubt be one of many studies around the effects of the lockdown as we try to determine just how much we’ve changed.

If you have any allergy concerns, feel free to get in touch with one of our allergy specialists. We have the knowledge and expertise to help you through your worries. Call us on 02031 433 449 to find out more.

How to cope with your allergies during the lockdown

6th May 2020

How to cope with your allergies during the lockdown

The nation has been on lockdown for some time now and the nice weather has made it all the harder to stay indoors. Thankfully, the government has advised we can leave the house once a day for some exercise so you can get some fresh air and sun on your skin.

But for some, it’s a catch-22. Staying indoors for the lockdown can lower their mood, as it has for many, but outside might be just as bad for allergy sufferers. Some 13 million people suffer from hay fever in the UK, making it a miserable time indoors and out. But with these tips, you can go still enjoy the outdoors during the lockdown without driving your allergies too crazy.

Opening your windows

With the sun beating down on us day after day, you might be tempted to open your windows. It lets fresh air circulate through your home and sends in a nice breeze. If you suffer from hay fever, you can still do that, just be aware of what it might do.

Opening your windows gives pollen – or other allergens – a chance to get inside. Once there, it can stick to your clothes and furniture, meaning your allergies can kick in even when the window is closed. So if you do open them, use it sparingly.

The same goes for hanging your washing outside. Naturally dried clothes seem fresher, but they can have pollen on them. So you’ll have to weigh up the options and decide which you’d rather have.

Going outside

If you can’t resist the lure of a nice walk to stretch your legs and see some new scenery during the lockdown, then be careful. Similar to the above, you can bring pollen back inside with you. Consider buying some allergy medication beforehand, checking larger supermarkets who will be more likely to have them in stock now. Though if you have any concerns, check with a doctor before using them.

And if you have pets, the same goes for them. Dogs and cats can also bring pollen back with them, so give them a clean before letting them in the house and try to wash them at least once a week.

Keep on top of your cleaning

You could have your cake and eat it too; do the above and keep an allergen-free house. It just means you’ll have to clean more. Vacuum regularly to lift pollen from the carpets and wash more clothes to keep a healthy supply.

You might be cleaning more anyway, as you’ll be spending more times indoors than usual, thus making more of a mess. So you might be able to take care of two birds with one stone, as they say. And if you’re worried about hand sanitiser, which is still scarce in some places, just know that regular hand soap is more effective for dealing with pollen, making it perfectly fine to use if you haven’t left the house.

It’s a difficult time for many and allergies don’t make it easier. But if we work together, we can make it through this okay. If you have any health concerns about your allergy, always consult with a doctor before taking any drastic measures.

If your allergies are negatively affecting you, feel free to get in touch with us to talk about your worries. You can call us on 02031 433 449 or visit our website here.

COVID-19 or seasonal allergies? How can you tell the difference?

8th April 2020

COVID-19 or seasonal allergies? How can you tell the difference?

The UK has never seen such a situation. The country is in lockdown and the coronavirus is jumping from person to person. It has everyone worried about their health, on the lookout for any symptoms.

It has just happened to hit us as we head into spring. This will no doubt cause some confusion for people who have seasonal allergies. When you get sick, how do you know if it’s COVID-19 or just your hay fever? Luckily, the two are different enough that it isn’t too hard to tell. Let’s take a look.

Symptoms of allergies

Springtime brings lovely blooming flowers and budding trees, but for seasonal allergy sufferers, it can be a nightmare. If you have seasonal allergies, you should already be in tune with the symptoms you regularly experience, which can include:

• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Sneezing
• Skin rashes
• Phlegmy cough

These symptoms come from your body trying to get rid of the allergens. They are usually not life-threatening – more of an annoyance. Some of them will probably sound familiar, so be aware of any of these popping up.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Some of those symptoms above can also be symptoms of a cold or flu, which is making people worried about this new coronavirus. But there are two main symptoms experts are telling us to look out for:

• Fever
• Persistent, dry cough

Neither of those are symptoms of seasonal allergies. Yes, you might have a cough with hay fever, but it tends to be more mucusy because it is a side effect of your blocked nose. With COVID-19, you also need to look out for a shortness of breath. 

Some people have reported having cold-like symptoms with COVID-19, but with colds and flus still running rampant, it’s hard to tell which is which. So stick to those main symptoms. Another bizarre one is a loss of smell and taste, but you shouldn’t rely on that for a diagnosis.

So, as you can see, seasonal allergies and COVID-19 are very different. If you have a runny nose and itchy eyes, follow the advice to relieve your symptoms. If you have a fever and/or a cough, seek out the appropriate medical advice on the government’s website and monitor it. You should always take your health seriously and, hopefully, this advice helps you feel better as this situation continues.

At London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we always recommend speaking to a professional about any new symptoms. If you think you have COVID-19, get in touch with the NHS on their website. If you think it is an allergy, feel free to speak to us. Get in touch on 02031 433 449.