The differences between food allergies and food intolerances: take our quiz

11th November 2020

The differences between food allergies and food intolerances: take our quiz

If you’ve confused food allergies and intolerances in the past, just know you aren’t alone. Many people think they’re interchangeable terms or don’t understand the differences. While they can have similarities, there are some fundamental differences between the two that can be pretty serious.

So why not put your knowledge to the test and see what you can learn along the way? Take our quiz to see how well you know your allergies from your intolerances!

Question 1: What type of response does a food intolerance cause?

1. Nervous system response
2. Immune system response
3. Digestive system response
4. Visual response

Answer: It’s from your digestive system. It typically causes symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It’s effectively your stomach saying “I don’t like that”. Allergies, on the other hand, cause a response in your immune system, such as rashes, hives, or chest pain, as your body attacks something it thinks is dangerous to it. 

Question 2: Which is more life-threatening?

1. Food intolerances
2. Food allergies

Answer: Food allergies are a more serious reaction. While intolerance can cause unpleasant symptoms, they’re usually short-lived. Whereas food allergies can cause anaphylaxis and be life-threatening, and so must be responded to urgently.

Question 3: Which of these are a symptom of both food intolerance and allergy?

1. Nausea
2. Itchiness
3. Swelling
4. Heartburn 

Answer: Nausea is one of a few shared symptoms between the two conditions. Although all of these are symptoms caused by either an intolerance or an allergy.

Question 4: What level of contact can cause an allergic reaction to food?

1. Looking at it
2. Touching or consuming a small amount
3. Eating an extensive amount

Answer: In the most severe cases, even just touch can be enough to cause a reaction. Food intolerances are usually only triggered after consuming a large amount of the trigger food.

Question 5: What percentage of adults suffer from a food allergy?

1. 1%
2. 20%
3. 10%
4. 5%

Answer: Although numbers vary, the average is around 5% for food allergies. This number is much higher in food intolerances, around 20%.

Question 6: Which of these are symptoms of coeliac disease, aka gluten intolerance?

1. Headaches
2. Anxiety and depression
3. Unexplained weight loss
4. All of the above

Answer: Unfortunately for coeliac sufferers, it is all of the above. While not life-threatening, a severe intolerance to gluten can still seriously affect your quality of life.

Well, how did you do? It can be difficult to determine whether you’re suffering from an allergy or intolerance, so don’t worry if you didn’t get them all correct. If you’re unsure about a reaction to food, it’s always best to get it checked so you’re always prepared.

If you have any concerns about a food allergy in your or a loved one, book an allergy test with our experts or simply contact us for advice. Reach out to us at 02031 433 449.

Where do adult allergies come from?

23rd September 2020

Where do adult allergies come from?

Some people go through life without knowing the annoyance or danger of an allergy. But then, suddenly, they find themselves sneezing at flowers or feeling ill after a pizza. It turns out they’ve developed an allergy in their adult years. And it isn’t especially uncommon.

This might be all the more prevalent in the UK, where 20% of the population has at least one allergy. If this is a new sensation for you, how can you be sure it’s a new allergy? Or how do you know if it’s not an allergy but an intolerance? And why do they happen in the first place?

Allergies

Put simply, an allergy is your body having a reaction to something that is usually harmless. Think pollen for hay fever or peanuts. Your immune system sees these as a threat to your body, releasing chemicals to try to fight it. It might lead to mild symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes. 

But it could also be fatal if it’s a severe allergy. You will have likely seen stories in the news about people dying from eating something as simple as popcorn. This is a result of an anaphylactic shock, something which has been increasing over the last few decades.

Intolerances

On the other hand, you have intolerances. You are more likely to experience stomach troubles, such as bloating and nausea. That’s because intolerances tend to affect the digestive system, while allergies affect your immune system.

They aren’t particularly life-threatening, but some of the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable. In more severe cases, you can suffer from diarrhoea, rashes, or acid reflux.

So what’s the difference?

As we explained above, one is a digestive issue while the other is an immune issue. But one main difference is intolerances are only a reaction to food. Allergies can be a reaction to anything and everything.

On top of this, allergies can be life-threatening while intolerances usually aren’t. Allergic reactions tend to also happen almost instantly after coming into contact with an allergen (though not always). People with intolerances don’t have to stay away from allergens and can even eat triggering food in small doses.

So why do these appear in adulthood? The problem is, there is no definitive answer. There are a handful of theories, though.

Theories

One thought is a lack of exposure can cause an allergy. The idea is you aren’t building up an immunity by being exposed.

Another take on this theory is you always had the allergy but were never exposed to the trigger. You might see this in an animal allergy if you never had pets, for example.

There are always a lot of question marks when it comes to allergies. The important part is you speak to an expert about it. Ask your GP for advice or seek out an allergy specialist who can help discover and manage your allergies.

Our experts are always on hand to help you with your allergy queries. Don’t suffer with a new allergy – get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449.

Two big reasons to stop putting off that allergy test

12th August 2020

Two big reasons to stop putting off that allergy test

Allergies are complicated. With so many allergies out there – over 20% of the UK population suffer from one or more allergic conditions – and their ability to appear and disappear as they please, it can be difficult to separate one-off reactions from a full-fledged allergy.

That is unless you get tested.

But we get it. Getting an allergy test means scheduling an appointment, taking time out of your day to go, and waiting for results. And if you’re only suffering from minor symptoms, is it really worth it? Well, we’re here to tell you that yes, it is!

Safety

You might think your allergy is just a mild inconvenience. Maybe it’s just a stuffy nose or itchy rash that disappears on its own in a few days. But there is still potential for an allergic reaction to become dangerous. And this can happen very quickly.

In the UK, there are about 20 anaphylaxis fatalities each year. And if you aren’t even aware you have an allergy and are continuing to come into regular contact with your allergen, it can be a dangerous game to play.

Getting tested for an allergy provides confirmation of what you need to avoid. And you can stay confident that you’re safe and healthy.

Knowledge is power

Getting allergy test results allows you to take back control of your life. By knowing what to avoid, you can develop your own personalised prevention plan – a way to minimise any contact with your allergen. 

Even if your symptoms were only mild, it can be a massive relief to no longer want to scratch your skin off or to breathe through both nostrils instead of one. Allergy-proofing your environment will keep you more comfortable. And with confirmation of your allergy, you can also educate those around you to minimise your risk of contact even further.

And finally, if you’ve been unsure about what you’re reacting to, you might have avoided a whole host of possible allergens ‘just in case’. When you know what particular allergens you’re susceptible to, you can get right back to enjoying everything else you might have been avoiding.

Allergy tests are the only way to confirm exactly what your body is reacting to. And it arms you with the insight you need to minimise risk, prevent unpleasant symptoms, and take control of your allergy once and for all.

At the London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we offer expert allergy testing to get you the answers you need. If you want to book a test or find out more, get in touch on 02031 433 449.

Is it possible that my allergy just disappeared?

5th August 2020

Is it possible that my allergy just disappeared?

While we know that allergy symptoms occur when your immune system overreacts to what it considers a foreign substance, a large amount about allergies remains unknown. In a lot of ways, they’re a mystery we have to either live with or we don’t.

Or in some cases, maybe you live with them for a season or two. And then they disappear just as stealthily as they came. But can an allergy actually disappear?

A change in severity

Often, rather than disappearing altogether, what you’re actually experiencing is a change in your allergy’s severity.

Allergies can vary massively from season to season and from allergen to allergen. One summer, your hay fever could have you struggling to leave the house. But the next, you could barely notice so much as a single sniff. Similarly, while one dog could have your eyes puffy and nose running, another could trigger no reaction whatsoever.

There’s no predicting what each season will bring for you and your allergies, but perhaps that’s just the spontaneity you need to spice up your life!

It’s gone altogether

Sometimes, it’s assumed that people simply grow accustomed to a certain allergen. That after enough exposure, their body becomes used to it and stops overreacting to its presence.

This is why with some food allergies, maintaining low-level exposure and increasing this over time can eventually encourage a tolerance. It works in a similar way to a vaccination immunising you to a certain virus or bacteria.

Egg, milk, soy, and wheat are some of the most common allergens to outgrow. And around 20% of children with a peanut allergy will have outgrown it by the time they start school. Although, given the great risk of anaphylaxis in severe allergies, this isn’t a recommended method for getting rid of allergies. And only by visiting a doctor can you confirm that an allergy has in fact been outgrown.

Unfortunately, we can’t tell you for certain whether your allergy is here to stay or just a temporary visitor. But by doing some research and booking yourself in for a test, you can take back control over your allergy, and equip yourself with the insight needed to manage it moving forward.

While the nature of allergies remains largely unknown, your individual triggers don’t have to. To book an allergy test today, give us a call on 02031 433 499.

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.

Perfect gifts for people with allergies (and some you should avoid!)

17th June 2020

Perfect gifts for people with allergies (and some you should avoid!)

Birthdays. Weddings. Christmas. Easter. There are plenty of times throughout the year where we have to buy gifts for people. It’s a great thing to do! The look on someone’s face when you get them the perfect present is amazing.

But actually figuring out what the perfect present is… that’s the hard part. And it can get even more complicated when that person has one or more allergies. With 44% of the adult population in the UK having an allergy, the chances are it could be a problem. But we’ve put together a list of awesome gifts you can buy for your allergy-suffering friends – and some you should definitely avoid.

Great gifts

We’ll start by saying this depends on how well you know them. If you’re good friends or family members, you probably have a good idea of their likes and dislikes. You can’t go wrong with buying them a game or a movie they enjoy. But there are some great alternatives if you’re not sure.

You can buy them devices for around the home. A humidifier is great for people with airborne allergies such as hay fever. It can even help with asthma. Adding some humidity can do wonders for your nasal passages and keep them clear. It’s a similar thing with an air purifier. You could also consider a new vacuum cleaner, especially if it claims to be allergy-friendly.

Then there’s a whole host of hypoallergenic goodies, such as hypoallergenic pillows, makeup, or jewellery. And if you know their exact allergy, you can buy them stuff suited to them. You could even go as far as making them a gift basket filled with gluten-free, nut-free, or dairy-free snacks. Or let them make their own food – get them a nice bread maker or an allergy-related cookbook.

Poor presents

There aren’t really any specific gifts we would say you shouldn’t buy. It’s more that you should just be careful with the general gifts you buy. If you know they have allergies but aren’t sure what they are exactly, you should stay away from some of these.

Flowers are a popular gift, especially for birthdays, Mother’s Day, or Valentine’s Day. But they can set someone off sneezing, so it’s best to avoid. You could always go for an upmarket silk variety. Not only do they look good, they last longer too.

And when you can’t think of what gift to buy, it’s always easy to get them a selection box of chocolate. This could be dangerous if they have a peanut allergy or dairy intolerance. They might even have to throw the gift away, which is just a waste of money. Instead, you could opt for an allergy-free selection to stay safe. 

So if you’ve been scratching your head about what to get someone, we hope this list has helped you. If you don’t know much about their allergies, why not ask? It’s always great to open the conversation up about allergies and learn about how they affect us all. And who knows, it might just give you a perfect gift idea for next time.

Whether you have an allergy or not, you should always be aware of how they affect our lives. If you have any allergy concerns, feel free to get in touch with one of our specialists on 02031 433 449.

The dangers of an undiagnosed food allergy

18th March 2020

The dangers of an undiagnosed food allergy

If you ever need a sobering reminder of the effects of allergies, here’s one. 19-year-old Sam Collings ordered a prawn starter while out at a meal. He didn’t know he was allergic to prawns and had never had a massive reaction to them in the past. The next day, 4th August 2019, Sam died from catastrophic organ failure brought on by a heart attack that was caused by an anaphylactic shock.

The only reactions Sam had complained about were a slightly scratchy throat after eating prawns or eggs. He had no reason to believe it was a fatal allergy. It’s hard to say how many undiagnosed people there are out there. But we do know 45% of adults develop an allergy in adulthood. 

It’s a constant source of worry and you can never be too careful. Here are some signs to look out for when it comes to food allergies.

Headaches

We all get headaches or migraines from time to time, but it might be happening more frequently when you have certain food. They don’t always happen immediately – they can happen hours after you’ve eaten, maybe even the next day. Frequent headaches are never a good sign, so you should always see a doctor about them. But now you might have an answer for them.

Bloating

This is a very common symptom. This is very similar to the headaches – it might not be the food and it might not happen straight away. Again though, pay attention to what you eat before these happen. Common triggers for bloating and/or stomach issues tend to be gluten, lactose, or fructose. These are intolerances instead of allergies, but will still need diagnosing.

Fatigue/pain

Everyone feels sleepy when they’ve eaten a lot, but if it happens more with certain foods, allergies could be the reason. It will be more intense than regular tiredness, potentially accompanied by spells of dizziness or shaking. You might also experience muscle or joint pains. These can affect your mood and put a stop to your day.

These might not seem serious or life-threatening, but Sam Collings thought the same about his scratchy throat. Allergies can be unpredictable and are not something to mess around with. If you have any unusual symptoms like the ones above, contact a medical professional as soon as you can. Especially if these symptoms are new.

Always consult with an allergy specialist and don’t try any at-home remedies. Allergy tests are simple and won’t take up too much of your time. You can even do them at home now! Always look after your health and never take the risk with food allergies.

At the London Allergy and Immunology Centre, we know the dangers of food allergies. If you want a professional opinion on your symptoms, feel free to get in touch with us on 02031 433 449.

Preventing allergic reactions in the kitchen

15th January 2020

Preventing allergic reactions in the kitchen

Food allergies are becoming increasingly common, especially in children. There are around 2 million people who have been diagnosed with a food allergy in the UK, including 5-8% of children. It’s becoming increasingly likely that someone in your family will have an allergic reaction and more of us must take extra precautions in the home. 

Food allergies can produce anything from mild, irritating symptoms to anaphylaxis which can lead to death. For those with more severe allergies, it’s important to avoid allergen contamination. This is especially true in the kitchen where most food handling occurs. 

Safety strategies

Some people try to eliminate allergens from their home completely. This could be a great strategy for some, but for others, it might not be effective. For example, some people have multiple allergies to a wide range of foods like dairy, eggs, nuts, celery, and gluten. If all other members of the family are allergy-free, it would be difficult and impractical to enforce the elimination of all foods containing these ingredients. So there needs to be an alternative solution.

Making your kitchen safe

There are many things you can do to minimise the risk of allergens causing an allergic reaction in a family member. You should:

• Label foods as safe or not safe – This is useful for children who may not understand their allergies yet. Using green and red stickers to label food as safe or not safe can make knowing what they can touch and eat easy. 
• Avoid mix-ups – You might have both safe and unsafe versions of the same food. Just don’t store similar items near each other. 
• Avoid contaminating the food supply – If you have both safe and unsafe foods in your home, you need to prevent cross-contamination. Teaching everyone in the house to wash their hands before touching safe foods. Have separate sets of utensils for safe and unsafe foods. And teach everyone to clean all countertops before preparing food. 
• Confine food consumption to your kitchen – So people don’t take allergens to other areas of the house.

These are just a few simple tips to help you make sure your kitchen doesn’t become a dangerous place for people with allergies. Some families come up with their own unique systems which work to prevent allergic reactions in their home. As long as you’re taking effective steps to minimise the risks, it doesn’t matter how you do it. 

The London Allergy and Immunology Centre works to help people and children with allergies live their life free from anxiety and stress. We provide the right treatments and the information you need to stay safe and give you peace of mind. All you need to do is book an appointment today. 

It’s all fun-gus and games: mould allergy Q&A

6th November 2019

It’s all fun-gus and games: mould allergy Q&A

Mould is a name given to a selection of different fungi. Think the furry green patterns that develop on food. It’s found in all sorts of environments, both outside and inside your home. Mould spreads by releasing little spores that travel through the air. If you have a mould allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in these spores, leading to allergic symptoms.

There are over 100,000 varieties of mould in existence, meaning avoiding it isn’t easy. From damp leaves to black spots decorating your bathtub, mould is everywhere. Luckily, being allergic to one variety of mould doesn’t mean you’re vulnerable to them all.

What does a mould allergy look like?

A reaction to mould looks a lot like hay fever. Expect sneezing, itching, a runny nose, congestion, and some more sneezing for good measure. Symptoms may get worse in certain seasons. For example, allergies to outdoor mould will be more common in damper environments. Or they can be year-round, as is often the case with indoor allergies.

Spores that reach the lungs can also trigger asthma-like symptoms. For people who are both asthmatic and allergic to mould, asthma can get significantly worse after a reaction.

What about mouldy food?

You know the frustration of not eating your loaf of bread quick enough? One day you’re enjoying a BLT and the next, you come downstairs to find the loaf’s been infiltrated by green spots. This is a type of mould you might be allergic to.

If you want to avoid mould allergens, don’t smell foods to check whether they’ve gone off. You’ll be inhaling the spores that trigger reactions. 

Unfortunately, mould allergies mean you should also probably lay off cheeses, especially mouldy ones. Blue cheeses like Stilton are made with a mould culture called penicillium. 

Penicillin or penicillium?

Penicillium is one of the most common varieties of mould allergy. It’s most associated with building materials, fabrics, and spoiled food.

Fear not! Although the antibiotic penicillin was developed from penicillium, being allergic to this type of mould doesn’t mean you’re allergic to penicillin. 

Are there any house hacks to avoid reaction?

To prevent mould from infiltrating your personal space, you can lower your house’s humidity. You ideally want humidity to be below 35% as anything over 50% will help fungi to thrive.

Try to increase airflow wherever possible; especially when using the shower or bath as these are the damp conditions that mould loves.

For some, mould will trigger an allergic reaction. If you think you’ve got hay fever in December, it might actually be because there was a bit too much Stilton on your Christmas cheese board! Like with any allergy, keep an eye on your symptoms and seek help if they persist or worsen over time.

If you have questions about mould or any other allergies, give us a call on 02031 433 499. We can book you an allergy test to get to the root of the problem.

Three tips for dealing with allergies at work

11th September 2019

Three tips for dealing with allergies at work

With so many potential allergens out there, it’s not surprising that allergies are so common. To be precise, around 21 million adults in the UK have at least one allergy. While you can set up an allergy-free, safe haven for yourself at home, at work you can find yourself stuck. 

In some cases, you’ll be in your office every day and may have little to no control over your surroundings. So regardless of whether it’s hay fever, food allergies, or some wildcard allergen, what are some things you can do to make your work life more breezy and a little less sneezy?

Educate

You can’t expect your coworkers to be considerate of your allergy if they don’t even know it exists. Make an effort to let people know you’re struggling and why. This way, they’ll be able to help you out and prevent making it worse. 

You might be surprised by how understanding people are, and how willing they’ll be to make your life easier. You just have to educate and ask. 

Prepare

While you might be unable to completely change your work environment, you can prepare yourself to better tackle the working day. If you suffer from hay fever, routinely take your antihistamines from the beginning of hay fever season onwards. This way you reduce the potential of being blindsided by streaming eyes and a fit of sneezes during the Monday morning meeting. Similarly, come equipped with tissues, eye drops, or anything else you know will bring relief. 

If your allergy is more severe, always have any emergency treatment like epinephrine on hand, and plans in place should the worst-case scenario happen. The more you prepare yourself and those around you, the easier things will be. 

Change

Almost a third of allergy sufferers have to change their lifestyles to reduce reactions, and work doesn’t have to be any different. If you’re a hay fever sufferer but sit near a window, ask if you can swap with someone else. You can also rearrange your desk space so that any allergy essentials are nearby, and handy at all times. If there’s a ‘bring your dog to work’ day but you know you’re allergic, ask if you can work from home that day.

If you suffer from allergies, work can seem like a daily struggle. It’s not your space and you can’t keep it free of all potential allergens. But by communicating with your co-workers, preparing yourself, and changing your surroundings to make the best of it, you can make your work life that little bit easier. Reserve stresses and sleepless nights for getting that promotion, not worrying about your eyes tearing up during a massive deadline. 

If you want more tips for dealing with your allergies or want to book an allergy test, call us on 02031 433 499.