How you can stop your allergies getting in the way of your exercise routine

7th June 2023

How you can stop your allergies getting in the way of your exercise routine

Exercise: we all have our own complicated relationship with it. Some of us love it – 58% of people exercise at least once a week. While others can’t stand the idea, which is why 64% of people say they don’t look after their health as much as they know they should. But this is changing; over the period between 2011 and 2019, gym membership numbers increased from 4.5 million to 7 million.

All of this to say that when it comes to the UK public and working out, there are challenges. To add to that, some people struggle even more because of their allergies. Especially at this time of year when seasonal allergies can disrupt something that doesn’t usually present problems. So how can you ensure your allergies don’t get in the way of your exercise routine?

Change up your exercise

If your allergies are getting in the way of your workout, you can always try switching it up. There are a couple of ways this could happen.

One is to change up where you exercise. If, for example, you’re finding the pollen in the air is causing symptoms or the summer heat is triggering your asthma, you might consider moving indoors. Either your home or a gym would suffice.

Alternatively, you could try a different exercise. Running outdoors might be affecting you because of the reasons above, so you can try swimming instead. Time is another factor. Pollen is usually released early in the day, allowing it to spread across the late morning and evening. So try an earlier exercise – or later in the evening works too, once the pollen has settled.

Change your clothes

For seasonal allergy sufferers, you might think the symptoms aren’t enough of a nuisance to change your routine. That’s fair enough. But get into the habit of changing (and washing) your clothes as soon as you return. Pollen can stick to your clothes, meaning you risk bringing it into your home and aggravating your hay fever constantly. There’ll be no reprieve.

Similarly, you might consider washing yourself as soon as you get back. Jump in the shower quickly when you return and focus on your hair. That’s something pollen can cling on to. Plus, a post-workout shower always feels good, right? It’s two birds with one stone!

Think about your medication

Depending on your allergy, you may have a prescribed or over-the-counter medication to combat it. People with seasonal allergies can buy antihistamines at any good supermarket, for example. The important point here is to use it as recommended. If it’s a prescribed medication, follow your doctor’s advice.

For antihistamines, they’re best used as a preventative measure. Meaning they aren’t as effective if you take them once your symptoms start. You’ll have a much better time if you get in the habit of taking them at the same time every day while allergy season is ongoing. The only caveat to this is do consult your GP first. They might have advice that’s better suited to your unique needs.

In fact, that’s ultimately our last piece of advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your allergies, your best bet is to ask a professional. Be it your GP or an allergy specialist. They will be able to guide you through your ideal steps for dealing with your particular allergy. And how you can exercise in peace without it bothering you too much.

If you want any allergy advice, our team of allergy specialists is always happy to help. Reach out to us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient.

Allergic to exercise: your guide to exercise-induced urticaria

5th April 2023

Allergic to exercise: your guide to exercise-induced urticaria

Exercise is great, if a bit of a mixed bag. You can end up feeling fantastic about yourself as you’re awash with endorphins and the feel-good vibes that you’re working towards a health goal. It just so happens you also become incredibly sweaty and feel somewhat gross. And if you’re a jogger, well, we hope you enjoy your 6am runs in the rain.

As if that wasn’t enough, some people have a rare condition that makes working out that much more difficult. It’s called ‘exercise-induced urticaria’, and as the name suggests it’s a bad reaction to exercise. While it is very uncommon, it can still be serious and worth knowing about. So let’s look at what it is and how you can avoid it.

What is exercise-induced urticaria?

First, let’s look at what urticaria is on its own. It’s something we talk about every year as there is a day dedicated to it. It is a skin condition more commonly known as hives, weals, or welts. The trademark red marks and rashes can be on a specific part of the body or spread across larger areas.

The exercise-induced version will occur during or after working out. Since it’s a relatively new condition – in that we’ve only just begun to define it over the last few decades – it’s not really known where it comes from. It’s also likely your body’s reaction to the heat generated during exercise.

While not the same, there is also exercise induced anaphylaxis and the further linked food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA). This is when you exercise after eating a particular food, causing a negative reaction. What makes it different from a normal food allergy? Well, many people with FDEIA do not react to the food in normal circumstances. It’s only when they exercise that it causes the reaction.

What are the symptoms of exercise-induced urticaria?

It shares many symptoms with regular urticaria, as we mentioned above. These include:

• Hives
• Skin flushing
• Skin swelling
• Abdominal pain

These are considered more ‘mild’ symptoms, in that they shouldn’t lead to a potentially fatal reaction. But there can be more serious symptoms, such as:

• Swollen tongue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling faint

Many of these are symptoms of an anaphylactic shock which can happen. This could lead to a loss of consciousness, a drop in blood pressure, and needs urgent medical attention.

What can you do about it?

The first obvious step if you have this condition (or suspect you do) is to avoid exercise. Given the potential dangers of it, it’s not something you can ignore. You have to talk to your doctor about it first. Once you have a diagnosis, then exercise may still be possible. You just might have to choose something less heat-intensive, such as swimming.

In the case of FDEIA, the recommendation is to stay away from exercise after eating the triggering food. So if shellfish causes FDEIA, don’t work out for 24 hours after eating it.

Whichever you have, our baseline advice is the same: talk to an expert. This isn’t something you can diagnose at home. Especially since the condition is so rare in the first place. They can work towards diagnosing you and adjusting your lifestyle post-diagnosis. Their advice will allow you to live a free and healthy life. It just might mean less jogging in the rain.

If you ever have any allergy concerns – including skin conditions and breakouts such as this or other forms of urticaria – get in touch. Our team of allergy specialists can help put your mind at ease. To find out more, simply call us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient here.

Seasonal allergies getting you down? Here’s how to exercise outdoors this summer

18th May 2022

Seasonal allergies getting you down? Here’s how to exercise outdoors this summer

It’s nearly summer. Which can only mean one thing: we’re going to get some sun. Well, hopefully. When the sun does eventually come out, it’s a great opportunity to spend more time outdoors, work on our tan, and – for some – get some exercise. Why waste the money on a gym membership when the whole world can be your gym?

If you have seasonal allergies, like hay fever, the gym probably sounds like the better option. Because with summer comes a lot of pollen. And with pollen comes a lot of scratchy throats, blocked noses, and itchy eyes. But if you’re determined to work on that summer body by getting some much-needed outdoor exercise in, is there a way to keep those allergies at bay?

What time of day to exercise

One way to avoid as much of the pollen as possible is to change when you exercise. This is likely going to be either early in the morning or later in the evening. Though this will depend on the type of pollen you’re allergic to.

For example, grass releases its pollen early in the morning, so it won’t be as prominent in the air until later on. So if you get out at the same time – around 7 a.m. – you can potentially avoid the worst of it. The same goes for later on once the pollen has settled – around 7 p.m.

What weather to look out for

The perfect part of exercising outdoors in summer is that you get to bask in the warmth of the sun. But this might be bad for your allergies. When the weather is nicer, plants are more likely to open up and release their pollen, meaning there’s more of it in the air. And if there’s a breeze, this moves the pollen around, meaning you’re more likely to run into it.

Ideally, you’d want to go for a jog when it’s raining. The rain will typically suppress the pollen so it doesn’t get to travel as far. But going outside in that kind of weather isn’t something people tend to like. Instead, go for your run after the rain has stopped. This way, the pollen is still pushed down and you don’t have to get wet.

The easiest way to keep track is to look at the weather report. They always have pollen counts which will give you an idea of what to expect that day. And over-the-counter antihistamines can help with your symptoms if you’re safe to take them. If you’re ever in doubt, talk to your GP or an allergy specialist about your condition.

For when you need someone to talk to about your allergies, get in touch with our team of allergists. We can help you navigate your seasonal woes. Register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

You can’t run, you can’t hide: Living with exercise-induced anaphylaxis

8th January 2020

You can’t run, you can’t hide: Living with exercise-induced anaphylaxis

As each year passes, we learn more about allergies as scientists seek a cure to end all symptoms. But it’s still surprising to find out the number of rare and strange allergies that exist. You probably know someone who is deathly allergic to nuts or intolerant to dairy. But have you ever met someone allergic to exercise?

What is exercise-induced anaphylaxis?

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA) is a rare disorder where anaphylaxis occurs after physical activity. It’s extremely uncommon but potentially fatal for those who have it because it can happen after any form of exercise. Usually, it occurs after more vigorous exercise, but not always. In fact, reactions can be sporadic and unpredictable. 

Some people experience symptoms even after minor exertion like raking leaves or dancing. But there are other factors which can contribute and trigger anaphylaxis in this condition including food, weather, hormonal changes, and medications. 

Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis

Eating certain foods before exercise might bring on an allergic reaction. The typical culprits are peanuts, shellfish, tomatoes, corn, and wheat, which are strongly associated with EIA. We call this food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis.  

What are the symptoms of EIA?

Because the reaction is often severe anaphylaxis, symptoms can appear mild at first but accelerate rapidly to become life-threatening. Common symptoms include:

• Hives
• Swelling
• Difficulty breathing, coughing, or wheezing
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Diarrhoea
• Cramps

Without treatment, people with EIA might progress into shock, loss of consciousness, or cardiac arrest. If you see any of these symptoms in someone, they might not have EIA, but it’s likely they’re suffering an anaphylactic reaction. You should call the emergency services immediately.

Preventing reactions

The good news is anaphylaxis is very treatable when you take immediate steps. Taking an EpiPen when exercising will ease anxiety and help you react quickly if an allergic reaction starts. It’s also advisable to avoid triggers, like certain foods and medications, to reduce the chances of anaphylaxis. 

The human body is so complex that even after centuries of learning we still don’t understand it. The fact something as vital to our health as exercise can be fatal for some people is mind-blowing. But, fortunately for most, there are plenty of treatments available so a serious condition like this doesn’t have to get in the way of life. 

If you’ve suffered an allergic reaction and you’re not sure why, get in touch with a consultant at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre. They can find out what you’re allergic to and give you the best way to manage your allergies so you can go on with your life. All you need to do is book an appointment here.

Stranger than fiction: strange allergies you might not know about

21st November 2018

Stranger than fiction: strange allergies you might not know about

Allergies can affect different people in different ways, and there are plenty of common allergies we all know about. You’ll probably be familiar with hay fever, asthma, and eczema, but what about the strange allergies in the world? From exercise to water, there are plenty of surprising things an individual can be allergic to.

Exercise

All allergies can feel overwhelming if there’s a high risk of anaphylaxis, the life or death reaction to a trigger. But what if exercise-induced anaphylaxis? Unfortunately, this is a reality for some people and can trigger through physical activity. Usually caused by higher intensity exercise, in rare cases it can lead to an anaphylactic shock.

Symptoms of the allergy include hives, inflamed skin, and fatigue. Although these symptoms are uncomfortable, they are considered to be minor. Severe symptoms include difficulty to breathe or swallow, and wheezing, along with the aforementioned anaphylaxis. Treatment for the allergy is usually an EpiPen.

Water

Water allergy (or aquagenic urticaria) although rare, with only an estimated 35 cases in the world, is a real thing and is difficult to navigate as humans require water to stay hydrated and wash. In as little as 60 seconds after exposure to water, the skin can break out in a rash.

It is usually inflamed and itchy, and can cause the skin to feel uncomfortably hot. It can even be triggered by sweat or tears. Although treatment in the form of antihistamine is common, there is only so far this will go in cooling the effects of this awkward allergy. Unfortunately, the cause is a mystery, but it’s thought to be a reaction to substances in the water.

Sunlight

Believe it or not, some individuals are allergic to sunlight. While the UK try to soak up every sunbeam come summer, for some people this isn’t possible. The condition, known as polymorphic light eruption, is a surprisingly common allergy that results in itchy rashes that can last to up to three days and can take two weeks to heal. Estimates say the allergy affects 10-15% of the UK.

The cause of the allergy is possibly due to the UV light altering a substance in the skin which causes the immune system to react negatively. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the disorder and treatment includes sunscreen, avoiding the sun especially between 11 am to 3 pm, and wearing long sleeves and trousers.

The odds of you having one of these strange allergies is extremely low, but you never know what you could be allergic to. We highly recommended testing for allergies so that you don’t risk any of the symptoms mentioned, allowing you to live comfortably.

Don’t risk it; request an allergy test today to start your allergy-free journey, or visit our website to find out more about allergies, intolerances, and skin conditions.