Autumn allergies: three triggers that might affect you

26th October 2022

Autumn allergies: three triggers that might affect you

Autumn is a beautiful time of year. The weather starts to cool (which I’m sure we’ll all appreciate this year), the hues of orange and red come out, and we’re only a stone’s throw from Christmas. There’s a lot to love about this season. Unless you have allergies. Then it might not be such a walk in the park.

Much like summer has many hay fever sufferers, well, suffering, autumn is a bad time of year for many. They might have similar blocked noses and itchy eyes. Certain autumnal favourites cause them distress. Or the prospect of trick or treating might make them worry about their child’s allergies.

Let’s take a look at some autumn allergies and what they mean for some people.

Seasonal allergies

Hay fever might be seen as a summery allergy, but it affects different people at different times. This is because it depends on what kind of pollen you’re allergic to. Those who suffer from hay fever in summer are likely sensitive to grass pollen, while those who get it in spring can blame it on trees.

For people with autumn allergies, you can blame it on weeds. Ragweed is the biggest culprit, and its pollen can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind, making it hard to avoid. To make it worse, 75% of people allergic to spring plants will also react to ragweed.

You might find it hard to avoid it in your food, too. Pollen food syndrome is when you react to certain pollen-bearing fruit, and it shares many of the same symptoms as hay fever. Fruits affected by weed pollen can include banana, melon, and watermelon. So it might be worth avoiding them.

Pumpkins

Pumpkin spice latte has become the unofficial drink of the season. But can you be allergic to it? Like many things, yes you can, but it’s incredibly rare. There are only a handful of documented cases, mostly in children. And their reaction was what you’d expect from a food allergy.

So on the very slight chance you or someone you know is allergic, here are the symptoms to look out for. If it touches your skin, there might be a rash. Any contact with your face may cause eye itching and lip swelling. And ingestion can lead to difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis. If you experience any of these after coming into contact with pumpkin, talk to your doctor.

Halloween

This spooky time of year is a favourite with children who can’t wait to go trick or treating. But any parent of a child with a food allergy likely knows the anxiety that comes with it. You can’t control what people give your child, and you can’t vet their sweets as you walk. So what can you do?

This is the time for due diligence. And you might have to be the bad guy. You’ll need to assess every sweet they get to ensure it doesn’t set off their allergies. Here’s our big tip: for every piece you have to remove, replace it with something they’ll love. Either an approved snack they like or a toy. That way, they’re not losing out.

Autumn allergies can really ruin the mood of the season. But it doesn’t have to be such a huge strain on your life. By staying aware of what might affect you, you can avoid any unnecessary symptoms. And if your allergies really start to get to you, always talk to your doctor or an allergy specialist about the next steps.

We’ve always got an open ear. If you ever feel you need to discuss your allergies, or if you need some advice, reach out to our team. A specialist is always happy to help. Just call us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient here.

Food allergies on Halloween and how to avoid them

6th October 2021

Food allergies on Halloween and how to avoid them

The year is racing by. And now we’re in October, that can only mean one thing: Halloween is just around the corner. For many kids, it’s an exciting time of year. Between all the silly costumes and sweet treats, there’s a lot for them to love.

But if your child has a food allergy, it can be a scary time for a different reason. Do you let them go trick-or-treating? What if they eat something they shouldn’t? Do you stop them from going out and having fun? It’s a tough question to weigh up. We don’t think it means you have to stop the festivities. Here’s how you and your child can still have a great time this Halloween.

Check all the labels

As much as your child will want to dive into their sweets as soon as they get home, don’t let them. Not straight away. First, look over everything they have and read the ingredients. Maybe have an allergy-free alternative waiting for them while you do your inspection.

Not every treat will have a label on it, so you might have to do some research online. Also, fun-sized chocolate bars can have different ingredients from their bigger alternatives, so keep that in mind. If you have to take anything away from your child, maybe think about doing a sweet swap with something safer, this way, they don’t lose anything.

Allergy-free treats

Speaking of which, buy in some snacks you know your child can eat and enjoy. Both for the sweet swap and to give out to other kids who come knocking. This way, you can be sure no one’s allergies flare up on October 31st.

If you know the neighbourhood where your child will be trick-or-treating, it might be worth talking to the people who live there. Just let them know about your child’s allergies and ask what they might be giving out.

Host your own party

The best way to be sure is to control everything yourself. So why not throw your own spooky party? You can set the menu and choose appropriate sweets. Throw in some party games and decorations and everyone will have a great time!

If not that, then why not host a scary movie night? Depending on your child’s age, there are plenty of kid-friendly scary movies. Something like Scooby Doo or Goosebumps work if they’re younger, while classics like Ghostbusters and Gremlins are perfect if they’re a bit older.

Halloween is still a few weeks away, giving you plenty of time to prepare something special for your child. It can be a scary time for all the wrong reasons, but with some careful thought and planning, there’s no reason it can’t be the best Halloween yet.

If you have allergy concerns about you or your child, get in touch with our allergy specialists. We’re always happy to help you live a more comfortable life. Book an appointment online or call us on 02031 433 449.

Allergy horrors on Halloween: keeping your kids safe

28th October 2020

Allergy horrors on Halloween: keeping your kids safe

Prepare for a scare – it’s Halloween! This year’s festivities will undoubtedly be different from past years, but no doubt people will still be out in costume and trick or treating in whatever safe way they can.

But something that hasn’t changed is how dangerous Halloween can be for children with allergies. Parents of these kids worry about the content of their children’s trick-or-treating bags, wondering if the ingredients will set off an anaphylactic shock. But just because a kid has an allergy doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy Halloween. Here’s how you can keep your child safe this October 31st.

Trick or treating

A huge part of Halloween is the sweets and chocolates. And no kid is going to want to miss out on all that sugary goodness. But these treats will sometimes be packed with nuts, dairy, or other ingredients that set allergies off.

What can you do? You can always check the ingredients on their treats. Don’t let your child have any until you can assess how safe they are. Also, be aware that some miniature versions of chocolate bars have different ingredients from their regular-sized counterparts. And that some products will be labelled “may contain”.

If you have some treats that aren’t appropriate, consider doing a “treat exchange” so your child doesn’t have to miss out. This could be with a friend or from a selection you bought.

While your child is out trick or treating, make sure they don’t go alone and that they have any medical devices with them, such as an EpiPen or inhaler.

Alternatives

Of course, you don’t have to go down this traditional route. As people become more aware of food allergies, there are some who want to make the Halloween holiday more inclusive. The Teal Pumpkin Project, for example, is a way of showing people in your community that your treats are allergy friendly.

You don’t even have to go trick or treating to get in on the Halloween fun. Why not have a Halloween movie night? There are plenty of kid-friendly scary films, such as Monsters Inc, Hotel Transylvania, and even Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice for the slightly older children.

Or have your own Halloween party. You may not be able to invite anyone over, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get some allergy-friendly snacks, some blood-red punch, dress up, and have a laugh. Horrified is a board game centered around Universal’s classic monsters, like Dracula and Frankenstein, and the Exit collection brings the wonders of an escape room to your own home.

Having an allergy doesn’t mean you can’t have the same fun everyone else is this Halloween. Just make sure you’re staying safe, watching what your kids eat, and remember to have fun.

We want everyone to enjoy life without any worries. If you have any allergy concerns for you or your family, feel free to reach out to us on 02031 433 449.

How to keep children with allergies safe this Halloween

30th October 2019

How to keep children with allergies safe this Halloween

It’s easy to underestimate how life-changing allergies can be. Their impact can range from simple inconvenience to fatality. And as a parent nothing can be more worrying than an allergy condition in your child. Allergies can cause children to miss out on exciting parts of childhood that their allergy-free friends may love. Sleepovers, birthday parties, and as Halloween comes around, trick-or-treating. 

The Teal Pumpkin Project

For some children, all it takes is one sweet to trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction. The Teal Pumpkin Project was started in the US by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). It has since spread across the Atlantic to help children with allergies enjoy the magic of Halloween. 

A teal pumpkin on a doorstep or on display in a window means the household is offering non-food Halloween treats like glow sticks, stationary, or small toys. All you need to do is get a real or false pumpkin and paint it teal if you want to participate. 

Tips for an amazing allergy-free Halloween

There are plenty of things you can do to make Halloween more inclusive for children with allergies, like:

• Adding your name to the Teal Pumpkin Project participation map
• Getting the children involved in creating teal pumpkins
• Getting your hands on some great food-free trick-or-treat items 

If you need some ideas, you could buy some spooky toys, stationery, beads, glow sticks, stickers, temporary tattoos, masks, or any other fun items you find in your local pound shop. You can even make your own gifts like Halloween rock monsters. 

There are also steps you can take to minimise the chances of your child coming into contact with an allergen. For example:

• Making gloves a part of their Halloween costume so they’re not putting their hands directly into contact with allergens
• You can avoid trick-or-treating, instead involving children in decorating the house to be as spooky as possible 
• Have them take part by handing out non-food items to trick-or-treaters who come knocking
• At the end of the night, go through your child’s sweets and remove anything that is unsafe, trading them for a toy instead. 

No child should have to miss out on fun events because of their allergies. As the world becomes more educated about allergy dangers, solutions like the Teal Pumpkin Project are becoming more popular and inclusive. We hope you have a safe, happy Halloween!

If yours or your child’s allergies are taking a toll on your quality of life, it’s important to seek expert advice. The consultants at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre use the most advanced tests and treatments to get you back on track. You can book an appointment here or call us on 0207 034 8098.