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.

New study suggests cow’s milk allergy might not be as common as we think

15th December 2021

New study suggests cow’s milk allergy might not be as common as we think

It’s not surprising that parents are a bit on edge when it comes to their children’s health. For parents of newborns, it’s an even more anxiety-inducing time. And food allergies are certainly something they should take seriously.

One we often see in newborns is cow’s milk allergy. Depending on where you look, it affects between 1 and 7% of babies, with most outgrowing it by the age of 5. But one new study has found that guidelines may be leading to an overdiagnosis of cow’s milk allergy.

The study

Research coming out of the University of Bristol has found that symptoms associated with cow’s milk allergy are extremely common in infants. This isn’t to say that three-quarters of newborns have the allergy, rather that these are symptoms you tend to see in most babies anyway.

Guidelines to diagnose delayed cow’s milk allergies say to look for posseting (bringing up milk), vomiting, colic, loose stools, and eczema. But the researchers found that one in four parents reported two or more of these symptoms any month. Even in babies being breastfed, thus not having any cow’s milk.

The study used data from 1,303 newborns between three and twelve months.

What does this mean?

This means some children may be misdiagnosed with cow’s milk allergy when the symptoms they’re experiencing are actually normal. Dr Rosie Vincent, who led the research, said: “Guidelines designed to help the non-specialist to diagnose cow’s milk allergy in infants may unintentionally medicalise normal infant symptoms and promote over-diagnosis of cow’s milk allergy.”

Adding to this, senior co-researcher Dr Michael Perkin said: “Parents of young infants are often seen in clinics, worried about a medical cause for their infant’s symptoms such as colic, bringing up milk or loose stools. However, our research confirms that these symptoms are extremely common. In an otherwise healthy infant, an underlying cause is unlikely.”

This just goes to show how important it is to talk to an allergy specialist. They will have a much keener insight into the nature of conditions such as cow’s milk allergy. So if you ever have any concerns with your newborn, talk to an expert.

The team of specialists at London Allergy and Immunology Centre are always ready to help you with any concerns you may have. Register as a new patient today or call us on 02031 433 449.

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

30th June 2021

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

Our diet affects almost everything. We all know how it can help or hurt our physical health, but did you know it could also worsen or alleviate hay fever symptoms? That’s because some foods contain higher levels of histamine, the chemical our body releases in response to our allergies. They give us all those uncomfortable symptoms that drive us mad. 

To stop your symptoms from getting worse, it’s best to avoid high histamine foods. Here are four common culprits that might not be helping you during this hay fever season.

Dairy

Dairy products can be taxing on our immune systems. And when they’re weak, it can cause an overreaction to pollen and make existing symptoms worse. To fight hay fever, it’s important to have as strong an immune system as possible. This is possibly why vitamin C helps combat symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Coffee

It may be time to replace your morning coffee with decaf. Caffeine is naturally high in histamines, which can worsen hay fever symptoms. Excess caffeine may even cause liver congestion, making it even worse still, as well as causing other problems. 

Alcohol

Nothing sounds better than sitting in the garden with a beer or a glass of wine on a warm, sunny evening. But sadly, beer, wine, and liquor all contain histamines that are produced during the fermentation process. Alcohol also suppresses the immune system. So, similar to dairy, anything that weakens this will make symptoms more of a chore.

Nuts

While nuts may seem like the perfect snack, they’re packed full of histamines too. So it may be best to lay off cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds until your symptoms become more manageable. Nuts like hazelnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts are less likely to trigger symptoms as they contain lower levels of histamine. 

While no food will ever cure your hay fever, avoiding certain foods may help prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Always check with your doctor or allergist before making any lifestyle changes. 

Is hay fever getting you down? Get in contact with the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. Our team of experts can help you manage your allergies and help you regain control of your life. Call us now on 02031 433 449.

Is it lactose intolerance or a milk allergy?

27th January 2021

Is it lactose intolerance or a milk allergy?

Being a parent has its challenges. The additional worry of your child having an allergy or digestive problem is just extra weight on our shoulders. And to add to that, these problems can be hard to identify. 

Lactose intolerance and milk allergy seem so similar. They both cause some unpleasant symptoms. And in both cases, dairy products are to blame. You might even think they’re the same condition. But how do they differ from one another?

What happens in the body?

Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem where the body cannot digest lactose – a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. While unpleasant, lactose intolerance is not an allergy or life-threatening.

A milk allergy is an abnormal response from the immune system. It mistakenly identifies certain proteins in milk as harmful. An allergic reaction to milk can range from mild, irritating symptoms to anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Fortunately, according to the NHS, babies diagnosed with the condition can grow out of it.

Symptoms

Lactose intolerance causes some unpleasant symptoms but, since it’s not an allergy, they aren’t life-threatening. These symptoms include nausea, bloating, diarrhoea, and stomach pains and cramps.

Symptoms of a milk allergy can occur soon after consumption or take a few hours to develop. Immediate symptoms can include hives, wheezing, itching, coughing, and vomiting. Some take longer to become noticeable such as diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), watery eyes, runny nose, and colic in babies. In the worst cases, it can lead to anaphylaxis.

Controlling lactose intolerance and milk allergy

Simply avoiding dairy products is a way to treat lactose intolerance. Avoiding the causes of milk allergy can be a bigger challenge, though. Casein and whey are the two main proteins in milk and can be found in some products you might not expect, such as canned tuna and sausage. Some milk proteins have even been found in chewing gum. 

Allergies and intolerances can be hard to detect in children and babies. We need to be hypervigilant for any potential symptoms. If you suspect your child has a milk allergy, you should take them to see an allergist immediately.

To ensure your child is healthy, it’s always best to consult an expert. Put your mind at ease. Book an allergy test with Allergy Clinic London today on 02031 433 449.

Why aren’t there more child-friendly free-from food products?

16th September 2020

Why aren’t there more child-friendly free-from food products?

Every parent wants the best for their children. And when their child has a food allergy, it’s just one more thing for them to stay on top of. It’s a familiar story up and down the country. Around 7% of children have food allergies – so roughly 1 in 14. So why isn’t there more allergy-free food catered towards them?

That’s something Jess Harris, founder of dairy-free children’s brand Little Bandits, has talked about. While there are plenty of products for people with gluten and dairy allergies and intolerances, very few are aimed at children.

A gap in the market

Speaking with Food Navigator, Jess Harris talked about her frustration at the lack of choice. It’s this gap that pushed her to make something herself. She specifically pointed out the lack of healthy free-from products for kids.

Talking about her son Jonah, Jess spoke about how she found it hard to find “food he loved to eat that was also healthy and great tasting”. Catering to a food allergy already means you have to readjust your child’s diet so they don’t miss out on nutrients. But beyond that, Jess didn’t want Jonah to miss out on “fun, convenient treat”. So she set out to make her own.

Now, her coconut-based yoghurts can be found at 157 Asda stores across the UK. As well as appealing to those with dairy difficulties, they are great for people on a plant-based diet or parents who want treats with less sugar in them.

It’s clear there’s demand for more like this. While talking with Asda, Jess learnt that her product was something they had wanted for a while. She plans on taking it even further, with more products in the Little Bandits line. Her goal is to have a range of food perfect for the school lunch box – things kids love to eat.

Why isn’t there more?

To see just how lacking the choice was, we took to Asda’s website to see what they had on offer. They have a well-stocked selection of free-from food, but we were looking for anything that caters specifically to children. And, as Jess alluded to, we found there wasn’t much choice.

In dairy-free food, we found 8 options amongst the 59 items. Though these came from just two distinct brands, with different flavours of their products. In gluten-free food, we found even less choice. There were only 7 options in a list of 428 items – many of which were cereal you could argue are more popular with children.

The vast majority of the products are aimed at adults, with very few bright colours and appealing graphics. Hopefully, Jess’s push to create more child-friendly free-from products will lead to more being created. Like we said at the beginning, parents want what’s best for their children. And healthy food that respects their allergies might just be top of that list.

If you ever have any worries about your child’s allergies, get in touch with one of our allergy specialists. We can advise you on the best course of action to help keep your child healthy. To find out more, visit our website or get in touch on 02031 433 449.

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.

Food allergies in plain English: a guide for parents and carers

28th August 2019

Food allergies in plain English: a guide for parents and carers

If you’re new to the world of allergies, we know they can be confusing. If you’re caring for your first child with allergies, there are several important things to know. Around 7% of British children have a food allergy. Sometimes, it can be hard to get straight to the relevant information online. We’ve written this guide in plain English so it’s easy to understand, and you can get some helpful tips on how to deal with a child with a food allergy.

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system reaction to a particular food (the allergen). This means if your child ingests the food, or sometimes even comes into contact with particles from it, they will experience an allergic reaction. These reactions can be severe and immediate, which is known as anaphylaxis, and this can be deadly. It can also take a little longer, with milder symptoms including a rash, hives, swollen face, lips, or eyes, a blocked nose, watering eyes, or stomach pain for example. 

What is anaphylaxis?

This is a type of allergic reaction which may cause your child to find it difficult to breathe, come out in hives or a rash, develop swollen lips or tongue, to faint, vomit, or feel like something awful is about to happen. It can be fatal. If you think your child is having an anaphylactic reaction, call the emergency services and administer any emergency allergy medication the child uses, such as their Epipen. 

What problems can a food allergy cause a child?

Some children might benefit from seeking the help of a dietician, particularly if they have several allergies, because they might struggle to get all the essential nutrients they need. This is particularly important for young infants who have a milk allergy.

Is there a cure for food allergies?

Although researchers work continuously to find the answer to an allergy cure, there isn’t one just yet. However, you should visit an allergy specialist to find the best treatments available to your child which can greatly improve their quality of life and reduce any risks. You can also:

• Teach your child about their allergy
• Teach all their caregivers about the allergy
• Speak to a professional allergist who can advise you on how best to manage the allergy

The best way to combat the risk from a food allergy is to make sure everyone is educated on the subject. You can use this guide to help you inform other people about the child’s allergy, helping to keep them safe throughout the day.

If you have more questions, the consultants at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre are happy to help. They can test your child for allergies and provide the best treatments and advice to keep them safe. All you need to do is book an appointment by calling 0203 143 3449.

The difference between cow’s milk allergy and lactose intolerance

11th February 2019

The difference between cow’s milk allergy and lactose intolerance

Dairy products are a staple in many people’s diet throughout the world. Sadly, many of us suffer adverse effects when we consume something like milk, cheese, or yoghurt. An allergy to cow’s milk is rare in adults but relatively common in babies and young children. Around one in fifty infants suffer from milk allergies with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. However, the majority of children outgrow their allergy by the time they’re 16.

Things can get confusing though as many people have physical reactions to milk that aren’t due to an allergy. You will have heard of it before – lactose intolerance. The symptoms can be similar to milk allergies, but the causes are very different.

Milk allergies

With a milk allergy, two proteins found in milk (whey and casein) cause an immune system reaction. Symptoms of this reaction can range from mild (skin rashes, vomiting, and a swollen tongue) to severe (difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis).

If symptoms appear immediately after your child has some cow’s milk, the allergy may be easier to diagnose. However, just because they don’t appear immediately doesn’t rule out a milk allergy. There are two types of milk allergy, which can occur minutes, hours or even days after consumption. It tends to affect infants who are just starting to have cow’s milk. It is slightly rarer in breast-fed infants, as some of the proteins are passed through the mother.

Lactose intolerance

Unlike milk allergies in children, lactose intolerance is a condition that cannot be outgrown. The digestive system cannot digest lactose because the body stops producing lactase enzymes.

Normally, these digestive enzymes break down the sugar lactose in the digestive tract. But when it can’t, it can cause unpleasant symptoms that affect the digestive system such as abdominal bloating, pain and cramps, nausea and diarrhoea. Unlike a milk allergy, the reaction is never fatal.

It’s important that if you or your child are showing signs of a milk allergy or lactose intolerance that you visit a health professional. To ease your mind, allergy tests can determine whether you or your child are allergic or lactose intolerant. You can then start to take the necessary steps to prevent future reactions.

Here at the London Allergy & Immunology Centre, this is our speciality. Don’t suffer in silence – find out what’s affecting you. To arrange an allergy test, book an appointment with one of our consultants today.

The truth behind cow’s milk allergy in infants

29th November 2017

The truth behind cow’s milk allergy in infants

A few minutes ago your child consumed their first-ever bottle of cow’s milk-based formula. But now you watch as your baby screams, vomits, and develops skin irritations. You frantically search your mind for the reason behind your child’s onset of symptoms. It’s highly likely that your baby has a cow’s milk allergy, which is a common ailment amongst newborns and babies. However, there are two major types of allergies in babies: IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated. As a parent, it’s important to understand the differences between IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated reactions.

What are the causes behind your child’s cow’s milk allergy?

During IgE-mediated reaction to milk, the IgE antibodies on allergy cells (mast cell) bind to milk. This propels the cell to unleash a variety of allergic mediators, that cause swelling, rashes and even dangerous systemic reactions. These can occur within minutes of your child consuming cow’s milk. Some children experience a non-IgE-mediated reaction, which results in a slower onset of symptoms resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms.

The difference between IgE-mediated and non-IgE allergies

As mentioned, IgE-mediated allergies cause your child to react within minutes of consuming cow’s milk. Whereas non-IgE reactions see delays of hours or even days. IgE-mediated allergies are easy to recognise, as your child will likely vomit, break out in hives, and develop eczema. The most dangerous is that the child can have a massive reaction known as anaphylaxis.

If your child has a non-IgE reaction, it will be less severe, but pretty troublesome and should be taken seriously. Your child will experience gastrointestinal issues, skin irritations, and possible respiratory problems. In milder cases, a non-IgE allergy to cow’s milk may be confused with lactose intolerance. With this in mind, it is important to note that lactose intolerance in children is usually secondary (associated with some other digestive problem) and affects the bowels (diarrhoea, bloating, pain) because the child is unable to digest the sugar in milk: lactose.

Have no fear! Your child will likely grow out of his or her cow’s milk allergy. But, for now, there is a high chance that you just want to learn how to stop your baby from vomiting all over the carpet. For those with IgE-mediated allergies, it is advised that you switch your baby’s formula to EHF (Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula) or AAF (Amino Acid Formula). If you are breastfeeding, it is essential that you cut out all cow’s milk from your diet. However, before anything, please have your child tested for allergies.

How can you fix it?

The process of adjusting to your child’s non-IgE-mediated allergy depends on its severity. If your child has more serious symptoms, it’s recommended that you follow a similar procedure to the above.

Mothers breastfeeding children with mild non-IgE-mediated allergies can try the process of cutting cow’s milk from their diet. If your child shows no symptoms, you can slowly bring cow’s milk back into your diet. When the child doesn’t react to cow’s milk, they are unlikely to have an allergy at this point. If the symptoms reappear after you add cow’s milk back into your diet, then it is crucial that you eliminate all cow’s milk from your diet yet again. Your child’s symptoms will likely fade as you do, which is a telltale sign that they do have an allergy. Bring your baby to an allergy consultant for testing, before giving any cow’s milk.

Parents who choose to use formula rather than breastfeed can follow a similar route, except you will use an eHF formula for the elimination phase and a cow’s milk-based formula instead of you, yourself consuming cow’s milk.

It is important to note that a cow’s milk allergy is the most common allergy among newborns and your child will most likely grow out of it. However, should problems persist or you would like some help and advice, please book an appointment with our consultants on our website. If you would like further information, click here to find more about food allergy in children and young people from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.