Frequently Asked Questions: Allergies in babies

14th August 2019

Frequently Asked Questions: Allergies in babies

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

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

Could my baby have hay fever?

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

Is it a cold or an allergy?

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

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

Can I prevent my child from developing a food allergy?

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

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

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

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

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

New labels from the Food Standards Agency could save lives

15th May 2019

New labels from the Food Standards Agency could save lives

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been tightening the rules and regulations on listing ingredients for a while. After a few preventable deaths, notably Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died after eating a sandwich from Pret A Manger, the FSA is now calling on food outlets to provide thorough ingredient labels.

As it stands, food prepared and sold on-site doesn’t legally require warning labels about any potential allergens. Instead, it’s down to those purchasing the food to ask staff. The flaws in this process are clear, and can ultimately lead to deaths. What if the staff members knowledge is lacking? What if the sellers don’t note any cross-contamination? The what-ifs go on, but hopefully they will soon be put to rest.

Recently, the FSA discussed options to tackle this problem including promoting best practice in the food industry and introducing mandatory labels listing the 14 major allergens. This includes nuts, eggs, and milk. However, it’s the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs who will have the final say over this.

Is this plausible?

While there have been small amounts of opposition from businesses worried about the costs and resources involved in such a scheme, this mostly stems from misunderstanding.

The FSA chairwoman Heather Hancock said, “We are not talking about every fresh sandwich being made in a sandwich shop.”

It’s more plausible that the regulations will be for pre-packaged foods rather than each sandwich you may get at a subway for example, whose list of allergen should already be made available. The aim is to make eating a risk-free experience for people with allergies.

Ultimately, this issue threatens the lives of allergy sufferers across the UK, so we need to do something soon. How the government will implement these life-saving changes is yet to be determined but we have high hopes for positive changes coming our way.

If you have symptoms you can’t explain, you may have an allergy. Finding out has never been easier. Just book an appointment with one of our consultants, and they can test you for over 100 allergies at once.

How not to approach your allergy

24th April 2019

How not to approach your allergy

Over 20% of the UK population are affected by one or more allergic disorders, and allergies remain extremely common in our daily lives. For those suffering from mild allergies, with symptoms that are minor or manageable, it’s easy to sweep under the carpet.

Here are some examples of how not to approach your allergy, because although your symptoms may be minor now, there’s no guarantee they’ll stay that way.

‘This isn’t an allergy’

When symptoms aren’t severe, it can be easy to dismiss your allergic reactions. You may think ‘I’m not allergic to kiwi, I’m just intolerant, and that’s why I get a mild tingling in my mouth and throat after eating one’. Just because your symptoms aren’t always severe doesn’t mean you should ignore the allergy.

‘I’ll cut down on that’

If you really like something you’re allergic to, you might think having less of it will do the trick. Sure, you’ll have fewer reactions since you’re coming into contact with it less, but every time you let yourself indulge you’ll go right back to suffering, and it’s not worth it. Especially if you have a life-threatening reaction one day.

‘It’ll go away on its own’

With minor symptoms, you might think they’ll disappear over time. For example, if you react to a new detergent you might think it’s your skin getting used to the new formula, rather than it being an allergic reaction to a specific ingredient. However, maintaining use of the product could cause your symptoms to worsen or increase in severity.

‘Everyone will understand my allergy, right?’

The more complex or unusual your allergy, the less people will understand or recognise it. With more severe allergies, it’s dangerous to assume that people around you will have a suitable knowledge about it. It’s best to assume less knowledge than more, even if you sometimes find yourself coming across as patronising or repetitive. It’s your allergy, so own it.

If you find yourself saying any of the above, or if you experience any unusual reactions to a specific food or product, you should get tested for an allergy straight away. Even a minor reaction is still cause for concern and could always worsen over time. Do yourself a favour and educate yourself fast, and try to avoid whatever it is you’re allergic to, even if you really like it.

It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to allergies. To book an allergy test, or to better educate yourself on any potential allergies, contact us on 02031 433 449.

Your sesame allergy in plain English

15th March 2019

Your sesame allergy in plain English

A sesame allergy can be a real nightmare for the thousands of people that have one. They see a lot of use in many foods, from burger buns to salads to a huge variety of Asian food. The effects on the body can be just as severe as a peanut allergy, yet sesame allergies don’t get the same level of attention.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the safety precautions and potential symptoms of a sesame seed allergy.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a sesame allergy can come on rapidly. Mild symptoms may include a nettle-rash anywhere on the body (otherwise known as hives or urticaria), gastrointestinal problems, a runny nose, redness and irritation of the eyes, or a tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth.

More serious symptoms are not as common but remain a possibility for some people. These may include:  

• Difficulty breathing  
• Severe asthma
• Swelling in the face, throat, and/or mouth
• In the most severe cases, the victim could go into anaphylactic shock

Anaphylaxis requires emergency treatment as fast as possible. This is why allergists prescribe preloaded adrenaline injectors for severe allergies. Being diagnosed, treated and informed how to manage your sesame allergy by a professional is absolutely critical.

Safety first

If you have a sensitivity to sesame, you’re not alone. As the British palate has gotten more and more diverse, the incidence of sesame seed allergy appears to have risen dramatically over the past two decades. It’s a key component of sesame oil, making it particularly troublesome for anyone with an allergy to spot before it’s too late.

Sesame seeds are a staple of many cuisines and can be tricky to spot. This highlights the importance of always taking care whenever you eat out. Be sure to request an allergy guide or ask a member of staff to ensure there is no sesame in the food you are ordering.

When it comes to a sesame allergy, it’s important that if you or your child are showing symptoms that you visit a health professional. Once you have a professional diagnosis, you can then start to take the necessary steps to prevent future reactions.

Living allergy-free isn’t always easy, but it isn’t impossible. Don’t risk putting your health and life at risk. Request an allergy test with us today or visit our website to find out how we can help you.

Tips for explaining your allergies

26th February 2019

Tips for explaining your allergies

Each year in the UK, 5,000 people are hospitalised because of their allergies. An average of 10 people die because of an allergic reaction. It’s hard enough trying to manage your allergy without having to explain it to others. So spare a thought for those with less common allergies. They have an even harder time explaining their needs, often being mistaken as fussy, and treated poorly.

The issue here lies in a lack of education regarding allergies, and hopefully, future efforts to spread awareness will pay off. Until then, here are a few tips on how to educate your friends, family, and anyone else you come into contact with on your allergies.

Doctor’s advice

While you shouldn’t have to over-explain your allergy needs to anyone, and people should be courteous, sometimes it can help to inform whoever you are dealing with that your requests directly result from advice from your doctor. You shouldn’t need to do this, but it gives credibility in situations where you might not be taken seriously due to ignorance, which can be dangerous.

Educate

Sometimes you might come across someone who doesn’t fully understand what it means to have an allergy. Explaining how your allergy works and how it can affect you is an excellent way to be a part of raising awareness. Most people do not dismiss people with allergies on purpose; rather it’s a lack of understanding that needs to be addressed to potentially save lives in the future.

Learn the facts about your allergy

It’s hard to explain your needs if you have a limited understanding of your own allergy. People will inevitably have questions, and as long as they aren’t too invasive or personal, it’s sometimes best to answer them so people can be more understanding of other’s needs. Things to consider are:

• What causes you to have an allergic reaction?
• How can they help you?
• Where is your EpiPen and how to use it?
• Is there treatment available for your allergy?
• How you prevent an allergic reaction?

Simple questions and answers like this can go a long way in ensuring you feel safe in everyday environments. These are just some ways you can make the experience of explaining your allergy to others less exhausting and more effective, easing your day-to-day life with an allergy.

If you want to find more ways to improve your daily life, you could consider getting in touch with one of our consultants who can provide the most effective treatments for your allergies. All you need to do is call 02031 433 449 to book an appointment.

Stay safe this Christmas; watch out for festive allergies

21st December 2018

Stay safe this Christmas; watch out for festive allergies

Whether you love or hate Christmas, you will likely come into contact with a Christmas tree, festive food, and allergy-triggering presents at some point during December. And while it might be a time for celebration and fun, you need to be wary of potential allergy triggers.

Deck the halls

Decorating at Christmas is one of the best parts, but you might want to stick to a plastic tree. Real pine trees can cause allergy symptoms to flare. While the tree itself might not be the main culprit, the particles that it attracts might be.

Trees can collect mould, dust, and other allergens like pollen or pet dander. If you think you might start sneezing instead of rocking around the Christmas tree choose an artificial tree instead. It’s also worth dusting decorations around the house to help keep it allergy-free.

The gift that keeps on giving

It’s not uncommon to receive at least one body product as a Christmas present, especially as supermarkets and drugstores sell gift sets. But be careful with the type of products you put on your skin. They may cause you discomfort if you’re allergic to certain ingredients or have contact dermatitis. If possible, ensure that your family and friends are clued up on your triggers.

Food glorious food

Food is quite possibly the best part of Christmas. From roast dinners to mince pies, there’s a lot to eat! But for those with food allergies, it can be a minefield. If you’re not in charge of cooking, be sure to alert whoever is of your allergies so that you can have peace of mind this Christmas.

Don’t put up with potential allergies, make sure you get allergy tested in the new year! Whether it’s winter or summer, allergies are difficult to avoid if you don’t know what your triggers are. Begin your allergy-free journey today.

Start the new year without worrying about itchy eyes, a runny nose, and hives. Request an allergy test today, or visit our website to find out more about your allergy problems.

Allergies and intolerances: what’s the difference?

26th February 2018

Allergies and intolerances: what’s the difference?

Have you ever eaten food even though you know that after you will suffer? Even if you are unsure why your body reacts that way? It may not seem important at that moment, but chances are you’re either suffering from a food allergy or food intolerance. Once the symptoms go away it’s worth finding out for the benefit of your long-term health which one it is.

What’s the difference?

Allergies and intolerances are similar on the surface, but couldn’t be more different. Food allergies cause an immune system reaction that usually affects multiple organs. It can cause a range of symptoms that can often be life-threatening and trigger anaphylaxis shock.

Food intolerance symptoms are mostly limited to digestive problems. They are usually less severe and are often caused by the lack, or insufficient level, of enzymes in the body. We need these enzymes to digest foods and they are important for keeping a healthy and regular body.

An example is the enzyme lactase, which we use to break down lactose, found in milk products. Without it you could be lactose intolerant, causing an upset stomach, bloating, gas, flatulence, diarrhoea, and vomiting.

Long and short-term health effects

If left alone, food intolerances can lead to chronic health problems. Both food allergies and intolerances can affect your quality of life and influence gut health negatively. Good gut health is important, which, in turn, can avoid other health conditions.   

Testing testing

A useful test for food allergies is a patch test. This involves exposing the cells of the immune system to possible allergens and measuring the immune response.

There are genetic blood tests that can help to predict the likelihood of lactose and gluten-related problems. Also, by watching your daily intake and introducing a process of elimination to your diet, we can get to the root of what you are intolerant to by slowly reintroducing foods.

Why do we keep doing it?

Worryingly, as a food intolerance is not immediately life-threatening, many of us keep eating food that we know threatens our wellbeing. Sometimes we are unaware that we are intolerant to certain foods and keep eating food that can cause bloating, indigestion, tiredness, migraines, headaches, persistent runny nose and coughing, inability to work or pay attention, depression and general irritability.

What can we do to stay healthy?

Nutritional measures can help. Here’s where the difference between allergies and intolerances becomes important. It might seem obvious but first and foremost avoid eating foods that you know you are allergic to! With some a vast amount of ‘free-from’ products available on the market, it is increasingly easier to replace your favourite treats.

If you are unsure whether or not a particular food is disagreeing with your body and you would like to know more, book an appointment with one of our consultants today.