How to be mindful of other people’s allergies

29th June 2022

How to be mindful of other people’s allergies

Recently, we talked about what bosses and managers can do for their employees with allergies. But, in reality, it’s something everyone should think about. Though not everyone is so considerate. In one recent UK news story, a 14-year-old girl suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction on a flight because a fellow passenger wouldn’t stop eating peanuts.

This happened 30,000 feet in the air even after the person in question was asked not to eat their snack. Thankfully, the girl pulled through. But it shouldn’t happen in the first place. It’s something we have to take seriously. So if you’ve ever wondered if there’s more you could be doing, here are some considerations you should be making around people with allergies.

Food allergies

Let’s start with the news story: food allergies. It can only take a few particles in the air to set someone off. So the lesson here is to listen to people when they tell you something could be potentially harmful.

Beyond that, it’s going to be harder to be considerate if you don’t know someone has allergies. So why not ask? Whether it’s a coworker, family member, or friend, it can’t hurt to know. Especially if you’re cooking for them. If you’re having guests over for food, ask them ahead of time what to avoid.

If they have something they can’t eat, respect that. There’s no amount of cutting it down or hiding it in a sauce that will stop it from causing a reaction.

Read more about food allergies:

• Tips for travelling abroad with food allergies

• Everything you need to know about fruit allergies

• How to spot food allergies as an adult

Smells and scents

It’s possible for people to be allergic to certain beauty and cleaning products. It might make you smell nice, but people can react to just to smell of something like perfume.

What can you do? As with food allergies, ask people or listen to them if they tell you about their condition. You might run into this at the office if a coworker suddenly starts reacting to your new shampoo. It can be difficult to avoid as it’s usually a specific chemical in the product – of which there are usually 100s. But promise to work with them to eliminate the cause.

You might also find this in your family. For example, a child might react to the fabric softener you use. In that case, stop using it immediately and switch to something fragrance-free or designed specifically for allergies.

Read more about these allergies:

• Household chemicals that you could be allergic to

• Can you be allergic to smells?

• Can you be allergic to clothes?

Smoking and asthma

Smoking and asthma are a dangerous risk. The smoke damages and irritates your lungs and airways. It can cause these airways to swell, become narrower, and fill with sticky mucus. This isn’t too far from what happens with asthma, so you’re increasing the risk of causing your own asthma attack.

And this can just as easily happen with secondhand smoke. In fact, some would say secondhand smoke is worse because it contains the harmful chemicals the smoker doesn’t inhale. So if you know someone has asthma, smoking around them is the last thing you should do.

With smoking-specific areas in many places, it might not be something you come across. But if you are a smoker, potentially consider not doing it in a public place where others might walk by, such as on the street. You never know if your smoke will irritate someone just a few steps behind you.

Read more about asthma:

• Coping with asthma in the winter

• The relationship between swimming pools, asthma, and allergic rhinitis

• Are you going the right ‘weigh’ about improving your child’s asthma?

Living with an allergy is difficult enough without other people making it harder. So spare a thought for the people in your life – and those just around you – who might be struggling. A minor inconvenience to you might mean the world to them.

If you ever have any concerns about your own wellbeing and potential allergies, get in touch with one of our specialists today. You can register as a new patient or simply call us on 02031 433 449.

Is there a link between our allergies and iron deficiency?

15th June 2022

Is there a link between our allergies and iron deficiency?

Unfortunately, there is no ‘easy’ solution to solve allergies. There’s no magic pill to make them go away. Even antihistamines, which can be used for seasonal allergies, have their limits. But there’s a wealth of research going on to try to find the answer.

And one study coming out of Austria might just have one. Researchers across several institutes are looking into small dietary changes that could reduce the impacts of some allergic reactions. It all comes down to iron levels in the blood. Let’s take a look at what this study found and what it might mean for the future of allergies.

The study

Scientists at the Messerli Research Institute of MedUni Vienna, Vetmeduni Vienna, and the University of Vienna conducted a trial to see how targeted dietary measures could reduce symptoms. In a placebo-controlled study, they gave participants a specifically developed lozenge. This was based on the whey protein beta-lactoglobulin from cows, which acts as a carrier for numerous micronutrients.

But what about the iron? Well, it isn’t technically an iron supplement because there’s so little of it in the lozenge. Instead, what makes it effective is that the micronutrients are in a suitable form to be carried by the whey protein to the immune cells.

The researchers found that people who took the lozenge had significantly reduced symptoms in their birch and grass pollen allergies. And, after six months with it, there was a noticeable improvement in iron levels in monocytes and red blood cell parameters.

What does this mean?

It’s still early days for this research, so don’t expect to see the lozenges on store shelves just yet. And, as you might have already realised, it isn’t a ‘cure’ for allergies. Nor has it been tested with more severe reactions.

But it does represent a new way to treat allergies by simply changing parts of our diet. And using the lozenge could present a universal way of treating allergies. It’s a lively field of research, and isn’t the only study into the link between iron and allergies. Here’s one exploring the link and another with a similar purpose.

As long as people are suffering from allergies, there will be research trying to help them. But until the day comes that they find a solution, you’ll have to be careful with your reactions. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and talk with an allergy specialist if you ever have any concerns.

If you have any questions about your allergies, get in touch with one of our allergists today. You can register as a new patient here, or call us on 02031 433 449.

Tips for travelling abroad with food allergies

13th April 2022

Tips for travelling abroad with food allergies

We all need a break sometimes. Actually, we all deserve a break. A chance to get away, put our feet up, drink in hand, and just while away the hours. For many of us, there’s nothing better than taking a trip abroad and soaking up the sun by the pool. Add in some good food and you have an amazing experience on your hands.

But travelling abroad is going to be a scary time for anyone with food allergies. Dealing with them at home is awkward enough. But put in a language barrier and it gets much worse. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out. You can still enjoy that special vacation. Here are our top tips for travelling abroad with food allergies.

Tip 1 – Plan, plan, plan

Of course, any holiday is going to require lots of planning. But when someone with a food allergy is involved, there are some extra preparations you’ll want to think about. The country you choose is obviously a huge factor, but when considering your food allergy needs, where you go is important.

You don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere, far away from a hospital. So look at more populated areas. And see where the nearest hospital is to your hotel of choice. If you’re in an emergency, it helps to know where to go.

Tip 2 – Research the culture

Part of the joy of travelling abroad is taking in a new culture. But you might want to look into this ahead of time to see what their cuisine is like.

Certain countries and cultures will rely on different ingredients in their meals. Italy is known for its pasta, which means you might see a lot of egg and dairy products in their food. Coastal towns and cities might have a higher abundance of fish. This is going to affect what you can eat. Even if it’s not the main part of the meal, these ingredients might work their way in there.

Tip 3 – Consider self-catering

As great as an all-inclusive resort might be, that’s less control you have over meals. Going on a self-catering holiday gives you the chance to choose what you eat. It’s not uncommon to see families go this route so they can save costs by preparing their own breakfasts and lunches.

You can even take some food with you in your suitcase, allowing you to vet ingredients beforehand. Check ahead of time what you can and can’t take with you, especially as the UK is now out of the EU. Otherwise, you can shop while you’re there. For labels with ingredients in another language, there are some nifty apps you can get that translate automatically just by pointing your camera at the product.

Tip 4 – Crossing the language barrier

Speaking of which, the language barrier is going to be an issue. If you’re out at a restaurant, it can be hard to guarantee you or your loved one is safe. Other countries might not have as strict an approach to food allergies either.

Going back to tip 1, this will require some preparation. It will be well worth getting to grips with the language and learning some key phrases. You can also have some allergy advice cards printed off ahead of time to give out to restaurant staff. These will let them know, in their own language, what you can and can’t have.

It’s going to be a challenge. But you shouldn’t let it hold you back from enjoying yourself. There are steps you can take to have fun and be safe at the same time. So if you’re thinking about a holiday abroad, keep these tips in mind.

If you’re ever unsure about what to do, talk to an allergy specialist. They can pass on helpful advice that can keep you safe and put your mind at ease. Our team is always happy to help. Get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449 to find out more.

Everything you need to know about fruit allergies

30th March 2022

Everything you need to know about fruit allergies

When you want a sweet snack, is there anything better than fruit? It’s the healthy alternative. It tastes good. It’s natural. What’s not to love? Well, for some people, there’s plenty to not love – especially when it triggers an allergic reaction.

Around 2% of UK adults have something called “pollen food syndrome”, causing a reaction when they eat fruit. But what else do you need to know about it? Let’s look at fruit allergies and what you can do about them.

More about fruit allergies

So, to start, what is pollen food syndrome? It’s a sensitivity to not only fruits, but vegetables and nuts too. AKA, plant-based food. As you can tell from the name, it’s related to pollen-bearing fruit and how a sensitivity to pollen also affects a person’s reaction to fruit. So there may be some crossover with hay fever.

This tends to happen with raw and fresh fruit. The proteins that cause the pollen food syndrome will change when heated or digested. So an allergic response is usually mild and immediate.

Do note that this isn’t the only cause of people reacting to fruit. Pretty much any food can cause a serious allergic reaction, and fruit is no different. In these cases, it likely isn’t pollen food syndrome, but an allergy to a specific fruit or fruit family.

Symptoms to look out for

In milder cases, you might experience:

• Swelling around the mouth and tongue
• Itching around the throat
• Oesophagus or stomach problems
• Sneezing or itchy eyes (or other hay-fever-like symptoms)

As we said before, it can be more severe. In those cases, you’re likely to see:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Anaphylaxis

For these serious symptoms, medical attention will be needed. Anaphylaxis is a dangerous reaction that can result in death.

What can cause a fruit allergy

What you react to with pollen food syndrome depends on the type of pollen you’re allergic to. A birch tree allergy, for example, might mean you react to apples, apricots, cherries, or kiwis.

Whereas an allergy to grass pollen might mean you react to melon or watermelon. And if it’s weed pollen, you could react to bananas. These lists aren’t exhaustive. What’s important is that you know what kind of allergies you have.

Because when you have this information, it makes it easier to avoid the fruits that can trigger you. If you’ve ever noticed a strange reaction to fruit, this could be the culprit. Now is the best time to talk with an allergy specialist about figuring out what the specific causes are. This will help you separate pollen food syndrome from other allergies and allow you to eat with true peace of mind.

Talk to one of our experts today. We can guide you through your allergy test results and advise you on how to live safely. To find out more, reach out to us on 02031 433 449. You can also join as a new patient here.

Why the FSA is asking you to report your food allergy near misses

9th February 2022

Why the FSA is asking you to report your food allergy near misses

When you have a food allergy, you’re always on edge. We all know how much of a minefield dining out can be. No doubt there are plenty of people out there who have had a few close calls.

So it’s nice to know when you have allies on your side. People or bodies you can turn to for help. That’s exactly what the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been for the past few months. A new initiative to capture all these “near misses” is due to wrap up soon, but why is the FSA doing it?

What was the new initiative?

Since November 2021, the FSA has been asking people to report when they’ve had a food allergy near miss. This is when you – or someone you care for – almost has something they shouldn’t. For example, a person with a nut allergy noticing nuts on their food even after asking if it had any.

People could report these instances to the FSA and are able to do so until the end of February 2022. Note though that you shouldn’t report any instances where you purposefully ate something you knew you would have a reaction to. So someone with lactose intolerance eating a pizza wouldn’t count.

What is this all for?

The point of this limited initiative is to gain some insight into how people consume food and how they come across allergens. It’s a proof of concept, as admitted by the FSA themselves. But the idea is it will lead to improving quality of life and direct any future research.

It’s all anonymous and isn’t intended to be about reporting restaurants who make errors. The data won’t be used to go after any food business or person. And your health should always be a priority. Don’t report any near misses before ensuring you’re safe first.

When this initiative is done, it’ll be interesting to see what the FSA gleans from it. Hopefully, the efforts of allergy sufferers across the country will be a step in the direction of keeping people safe from their food allergies.

If you want to report a food allergy near miss, the website is here. Note that it will be closing soon. Beyond that, if you have any allergy concerns at all, do feel free to get in touch with our specialists. We can guide you through your allergy journey. Reach out to us on 02031 433 449.

How to spot food allergies as an adult

19th January 2022

How to spot food allergies as an adult

Imagine you’re out for a meal with your family or friends. It’s a restaurant you’ve been to countless times before. You order your favourite meal that you always have. It arrives, it looks as tasty as ever, and you dig in. Then something strange happens.

You’ve never experienced this before, but all of a sudden, you feel your throat start to close. You struggle to breathe and then you realise. You’re having an allergic reaction.

It sounds unbelievable, but this can happen to anyone. One day, out of the blue, you can develop a food allergy as an adult. It’s happened to many people and is more common than you think. But why does it happen? And how can you spot it?

Developing an adult food allergy

Why do people suddenly develop a deadly food allergy as adults? Unfortunately, no one’s really sure. It’s something our bodies do and there’s seemingly no rhyme or reason (that we know of). But it’s the reality for a lot of people.

More than 48% of people with a food allergy developed it as an adult. And 51% of those adults with allergies will experience a serious reaction at some point. But, at the same time, while 20% of adults self-diagnose a food allergy, only 10% really have one. Usually because they’ve mixed it up with an intolerance.

It makes figuring out you have a new allergy a bit tricky. But here are some warning signs you can look out for.

Spotting a food allergy

Allergic reactions to food often have one or more of these symptoms:

• Tingling sensation in the mouth
• Itchy rashes
• Sneezing
• Swelling around the face and mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble breathing

That’s our body reacting to the substance it (all of a sudden) doesn’t agree with. The worst symptom is anaphylactic shock. This is extremely worrying and can be life-threatening. It usually includes difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and even a loss of consciousness.

Keep your eye out for any of these symptoms if you’re feeling something out of the ordinary. The most common culprits will be peanuts, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts. Though this isn’t an exhaustive list.

The most important point? If you ever suspect you have a new allergy as an adult, consult a doctor. If you can, make it an allergy specialist. They will be able to accurately diagnose whether you do have an allergy. Then they can give you the advice you need to adjust and live a comfortable life.

Don’t ignore the warning signs and don’t take your medical care into your own hands. Always take allergies seriously.

We’re here for you if you ever suddenly develop an allergy. You can book in for a consultation here or call us on 02031 433 449.

The new treatment that could change the lives of children with peanut allergies

5th January 2022

The new treatment that could change the lives of children with peanut allergies

Ask any parent what they want for their child, and they’ll likely tell you the exact same thing. All they want is for their child to be safe. But when that young person has a food allergy, keeping them safe becomes an even greater challenge.

It’s estimated that around 1 in 50 children have a peanut allergy, and it’s one of the most common food allergies. In fact, one study even found that almost 25% of kids could have the affliction. Going to any unfamiliar place can be a huge hurdle for people with peanut allergies. Every trip to a restaurant is fraught with danger. But a recent development could make living with this particular food allergy much simpler.

New treatment

Now, in the UK, a new oral treatment could reduce the severity of symptoms – including anaphylaxis. After an extensive two-year study, researchers found that Palforzia – the new treatment – could increase tolerance to food with peanuts in it.

The idea is to gradually decrease the sensitivity to peanuts over time. In one trial of the study, 67% of participants were able to ingest up to 600mg without any major problems. While it won’t eradicate the allergy, it means families could potentially eat out without fear of an anaphylactic shock or other life-threatening reactions.

Saving lives

Children in the UK will be some of the first in Europe to benefit from the new treatment after the NHS secured a deal for it. Up to 600 children aged 4 to 17 are expected to receive the treatment this year. Then there’ll be a further 2,000 every year after that. They’ll receive a monthly dose, building up tolerance slowly.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, said: “It will reduce the fear and anxiety for patients and their families who may have been living with this allergy for years, and carrying around emergency medication just in case. They should be able to enjoy meals out or holidays abroad together without worrying about an allergic reaction that could land them in hospital or worse.”

“This first in Europe patient access deal is just one of a series of commercial agreements the NHS has secured for innovative treatments for patients over the past 18 months, while also treating thousands of people with COVID-19 as well as delivering the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in health history.”

It could be a huge turning point for the condition which causes huge worries in parents around the world. If you’re ever concerned about a potential peanut allergy, you can always talk to an allergy specialist. They will be able to find the right course of action for you.

To talk to one of our allergy experts, get in touch with us on 02031 433 449. You can also register as a new patient by following this link.

The top three tips for being a better allergy ally

29th December 2021

The top three tips for being a better allergy ally

We often talk about what it’s like to live with allergies. Steps to take, advice to follow, and a supportive voice to help people with their condition. But what if you don’t have an allergy and just want to know how to help those who do.

That’s exactly what today’s blog is about: how to be a better allergy ally. You might have a child, family member, friend, or colleague who you want to help out. Or maybe you just want to be a more conscientious person. Whatever your reason, here are some tips on how to support someone living with an allergy.

Ask them questions

Step 1 – find out everything about their allergy. Believe us, they’ll thank you for it. Just showing a willingness to learn about their condition will go a long way. Try to ask them not just what they’re allergic to, but how it affects their life and how it makes them feel.

For example, let’s say they’re allergic to peanuts. It’s the most common food allergy in children and the second-most common in adults. Ask them what it’s like when they go out for a meal. Or if they ever have to avoid certain situations. Or a specific time where they were really anxious about their allergy. It’ll open your eyes to how difficult living with an allergy can be.

Learn how to treat their allergies

Being a good allergy ally means having their back at all times. For some severe allergies, sufferers have to make sure they have access to certain medications. Something like an inhaler or EpiPen.

It might be worth learning all about these tools just in case you need to jump into action. Make sure you know where to find them. At home, do they keep them in a certain cupboard? Do they keep them in their purse while out and about? If you know where they are, you can retrieve them for the person in dire situations. For something like an EpiPen, knowing how to administer one could save their life.

Get used to saving labels

This tip is mainly for food allergies. If you’re ever cooking for someone with a food allergy, make it a habit of saving the labels with any ingredients on. Even better, send a picture of them to the person ahead of time. This lets them know what is and isn’t safe for them to eat.

Over time, you should get a good sense of what they can eat, meaning you can tailor any meals to their preferences. Plus, it shows you’re willing to go that extra mile for them, which they’ll be overwhelmingly grateful for.

And that’s the reason to do any of these tips. So many allergy sufferers are used to going it alone and having to change themselves to fit the world. But by following this advice, you help them feel comfortable without them having to tie themselves into knots. If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution for 2022, maybe being a better allergy ally could be it?

If you, a family member, or a friend are ever looking for advice about any potential allergies, get in touch with one of our experts. We’re more than happy to discuss your needs and give you the support you need. Reach out to our allergy experts today on 02031 433 449.

Christmas food allergies: what to look out for

8th December 2021

Christmas food allergies: what to look out for

If you ask people what their favourite part of the festive season is, a good majority will no doubt say the food. In fact, 75% of Brits just can’t wait to gorge themselves on a Christmas feast!

But for people with food allergies, it can be another minefield – especially if you have to trust someone else to do the cooking. And which of your favourite dishes can you even eat? Let’s look at some of the likely foods you’ll have piling up on your plate and what potential allergens they might contain.

Stuffing

The perfect accompaniment to a few slices of turkey, stuffing is a staple around the Christmas dinner table. But a key ingredient is often breadcrumbs, which will affect those with a gluten intolerance.

And depending on the kind of stuffing, it may also have traces of nuts and festive fruits, such as cranberries. You can make your own stuffing and substitute the breadcrumbs with cornmeal or quinoa, and replace the nuts with dried fruits (as long as you aren’t allergic to them).

Sauces and gravy

What would the meal be without a sauce or gravy lavished over it all? But make sure to triple-check the ingredients as you never know what’s in them.

Whether it’s cranberry sauce or a meat gravy, they can be embellished with extras such as nuts to give it that extra texture. They could also have other types of fruit that you may be allergic to.

Christmas pudding

Many people love to round out the Christmas dinner with a traditional pudding. But there are plenty of ingredients that could be in there that you need to look out for. This also goes for all kinds of desserts you might dig into.

Of course, when it comes to cake, flour is a major ingredient. This isn’t great news for people with gluten sensitivities. A Christmas pudding is also likely to be stuffed with various fruits, nuts, and dairy.

It might be worth a trip down the free-from aisle at your local supermarket (if they have one). Around this time of year, they’ll no doubt have a range of festive treats sure to be free of certain allergens. Take a good look at the ingredients to see which best suits you.

There’s no reason you shouldn’t be safe to dig into your Christmas feast this year. With some extra vigilance – and some elbow grease if you’re making your own food from scratch – you can make sure everyone has a fantastic time. Just don’t eat too much!

We want you to have the safest festive period possible. If you have any allergy concerns, our allergy experts are always here to help. Get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449.

What NOT to do when you have an allergy

20th October 2021

What NOT to do when you have an allergy

Allergies and intolerances can strike at any time in your life. Some have them from a young age and have to grow up with them. Others develop them later in life as adults. If you’re in the latter group, you might not know how to even handle them.

Are they a big deal? Can you treat them just like any other illness? These are the kind of questions you might be asking yourself. Today, we’re here to tell you what NOT to do when you have an allergy.

DON’T ignore it

If you have an allergy for the first time, you might find it’s more of a nuisance than anything. Maybe you suddenly develop an annoying rash to your washing detergent. Or maybe dairy products don’t agree with you anymore. But you don’t want to change anything, so you just ignore it.

This is a bad idea. For some people, allergies get worse over time. So while it might be an inconvenience at the start, it could spiral into worse symptoms. At its worst, this could lead to anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening.

DON’T treat it like any other illness

Depending on the allergy, it might feel just like a cold. Hay fever, for example, shares the same stuffy nose and scratchy throat symptoms. So you might think you can medicate them in the same way. After all, they’re so similar.

It doesn’t work like this. Many illnesses are caused by bacteria or viruses, and medication made to fight them are specifically antibacterial or antiviral. But allergies are caused by your body producing too much antihistamine, which it uses to fight allergens it doesn’t like. Both require specific medication, and it’s best to talk to your doctor to find out which is best for you.

DON’T take it lightly

This is more about taking other people’s allergies seriously. Especially food allergies. You might wonder what the worst that could happen is. But as we said before, the worst could potentially be death.

Take food allergies incredibly seriously. If someone is allergic to nuts, your food should never come into contact with nuts. Even if it’s just a mild inconvenience, such as an allergy to a specific soap, do what you can to avoid it. No one wants to live with that level of uncomfortableness forever.

When you develop an allergy, it can suddenly feel like your life has 100 extra rules. And that can drag you down. But it doesn’t mean you can’t have as great a life as before. It just means you have to be that little bit more careful. You also don’t have to go it alone. Talk to your doctor or an allergy specialist to find out how you can live a healthy, happy, allergy-free life.

If you’re ever concerned about an allergy, book an appointment with one of our allergists. We’re always more than happy to help anyone who needs some advice. Get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449.