The number of children needing hospital treatment for allergies is rising

29th January 2020

The number of children needing hospital treatment for allergies is rising

Allergies aren’t a new phenomenon. However, their prevalence is on the rise. According to Benadryl, there are 21 million adults with allergies in the UK and the figure is rising by 5% each year. Around 7% of children have food allergies and this number is on the rise. 

The causes of allergies

Our understanding of what causes allergies is growing, but there are still many questions we need to answer. Scientists say it could be down to a combination of factors, including:

• Genetics
• Being too clean
• Diet during pregnancy
• Pollution

However, none of these theories can explain the prevalence of all allergies or the increase at present. 

Increasing hospital visits

The number of children who received hospital treatment for their allergies has increased by 65% across England. In 2013/14, 2,873 teenagers needed treatment. In 2017/18, this rose to 4,743. As well as this, the number of children being treated for anaphylactic shock has increased by 41% in the past five years. 

Is it more dangerous?

The large increase in hospital treatments largely affected teenagers. Allergy professionals speculated this is a time where parental control became increasingly relaxed as children grew up. They might not question their food in the same their way parents did. However, it’s hard to ignore the incidents where children with allergies are being endangered through no fault of their own. 

In 2017, a schoolboy died after having a severe reaction to cheese which was thrown at him in school. Children have reported being scared to go to school because of classmates and teachers who don’t take their allergies seriously. Some parents have taken their children out of school believing the schools aren’t doing enough to safeguard the children. 

This lack of understanding can be fatal and there needs to be a focus on allergy education in schools if we want to keep more children safe. This will be especially important if the number of allergy-related hospital visits keeps rising.

The London Allergy and Immunology Centre helps give children and parents peace of mind by diagnosing allergy symptoms and providing expert treatments and preventative methods. We want to help remove the burden of allergies, so book an appointment today.

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.

What to consider when choosing an allergy doctor

21st February 2019

What to consider when choosing an allergy doctor

Allergies can really get in the way of life. Whether you suffer from irritating seasonal allergies or life-threatening anaphylaxis to certain foods, it’s important to see an allergy doctor that is right for you.

By being proactive and seeing a professional, you start to take control of your allergy situation. Your symptoms will be evaluated thoroughly and, with this information, an allergy doctor will develop a treatment plan based on your unique requirements. But how do you know if a particular allergy doctor is the right fit for you?

Correct accreditation

Sadly, there are misleading physicians out there who claim to be something they’re not. To be sure you’re dealing with a professional, they need to have a medical degree and license to practice immunology. An experienced allergist will be able to guide you through the diagnosis process and give you advice based on your individual circumstances.

There is also no harm in asking your doctor about their approach to patient care. For many people, visiting a health professional can be unnerving. You should feel like you’re in good hands and that they genuinely care about the well-being of their patients. Recognising that your allergy doctor upholds a dedication to a high standard of care will help you feel at ease in every step of the process.

Convenience

Most of us live hectic lives. We work long hours and have to look after ourselves and our families. So you want an allergy doctor that is convenient to visit, whatever that means to you. It might literally be a visit, in person, in which case you want someone with a central location.

But that isn’t always viable. The best allergy doctor for you might be half-way across the country. If they have services you can benefit from remotely, such as an at-home allergy test, then they might be better than whatever is available locally.

You will undoubtedly have questions about the diagnosis process and how to manage any newly discovered allergies. Your doctor should recognise the need to address your questions to the best of their ability, so you feel satisfied and equipped to create prevention strategies and manage any symptoms you might have.

At the London Allergy and Immunology Centre, our consultants take you through your options step by step, making sure you get the best possible solution to your allergy problems. So, get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449, or book an appointment here.