How to avoid fake allergy advice on social media

14th September 2022

How to avoid fake allergy advice on social media

Did your parents ever tell you not to believe everything you hear? Well that advice has never been more true in our online world. There are hundreds of myths flying around that people take as fact. It’s all fun and games, until it starts to affect people’s lives. The truth is, fake news spreads a lot faster than real news.

When it comes to allergy myths, misinformation can get people hurt, or worse, killed. You have to think twice about everything you read online, especially on social media. But how can you spot allergy misinformation? Here are our tips for keeping yourself safe and spotting the fake advice.

Check your sources

This is something you should do for all stories you read on the internet. We’ve all been there. A friend shares a post they found on Facebook talking about a miracle way to treat your rash. It sounds reasonable, and you think why not try it? But do you know where the advice came from? Does your friend who shared it?

Whether it’s because they’re selling something or just want to look like an expert, people lie all the time. Even if it looks official – maybe the person giving the advice is a doctor – it’s not that simple. What qualifications do they have? Are they highly regarded in their field? 

You should always look for the original source of any advice. Maybe it’s a scientific study. Or maybe it came from a medical clinic blog. If that’s the case, it’s usually fine. But if all you can find is the same advice just circling around social media, it probably isn’t trustworthy.

Don’t take news at face value

Surely news sites are trustworthy? Typically, they are. But news is a business and in today’s world, it’s all about the clicks. It isn’t unusual to find news sites talking about medical research in a sensational way. For example, let’s say there was a study in the early stages of a new treatment for peanut allergies. The news might take this and make the title “new miracle cure for peanut allergies”. It’s not exactly wrong, but it’s also not an accurate portrayal of the research.

Our tip here is similar to the first one. Do your own research. If a news story talks about a study, find it yourself. See if they call it a preliminary study, which means it’s the start of a wider research topic. Even if everything looks right, make sure it has enough participants, for example. A study on just 10 people isn’t going to be enough to make big claims.

Allergy testing

There are plenty of at-home allergy tests you can do. We even offer it ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with it, but you have to be sure the people selling or conducting the test are properly qualified. Not all of them will have doctors on the team to verify the tests, and some give you a list of 100 items you’re apparently allergic to. That’s incredibly unlikely.

If you’re ever worried about a potential allergy and want a test, make sure it’s backed up by actual doctors – preferably allergy specialists. That way, you know the results you get will be real, and the advice honest.

It’s easy to get swept up in misinformation, especially when you’re concerned about your health. But some due diligence will go a long way in keeping you safe. Always question any advice you read and make sure it’s coming from people who are qualified experts in their field. That way, you’ll know you’re getting the right information you need.

With a team of qualified and experienced allergists, you can always come to us with any allergy concerns you may have. Whether you want testing or some friendly advice, we can help. You can register as a new patient, or simply call us on 02031 433 449.

Four allergy myths – and the truth behind them

27th July 2022

Four allergy myths – and the truth behind them

When it comes to allergies, it feels like there are a lot of rumours and misconceptions flying about. Eat this. Do that. Exercise more. Exercise less. It’s hereditary. It’s random. There’s no one easy answer, unfortunately. But it doesn’t stop people throwing out baseless ideas.

So we thought we’d look at some common allergy myths and give you the straight facts about them. And if we don’t have the answer you’re looking for, maybe the rest of our blog can help? Right, let’s jump right in!

Myth 1: Lots of people have allergies

It’s true that allergy diagnoses have been on the rise. But this probably makes it seem more common than it is. While there are various numbers out there, most seem to agree that about 20% of the UK population has an allergy of some sort. The NHS says allergies affect 1 in 4 people (25%) at “some point in their lives”.

That’s a lot, but what about food allergies? Stories in the news make them seem very common. In reality, only 3-6% of children have a food allergy – and it’s less for adults. And peanut allergies specifically? Even less – about 2% of children have the condition. 

That isn’t to say it shouldn’t be taken seriously. In a 20-year period (up to 2012), there was a 615% increase in hospital admissions because of anaphylaxis.

Myth 2: You outgrow your allergies

There’s this idea that, as you get older, you’ll outgrow your allergies. Especially food allergies. And yes, it is possible to outgrow them. But it’s not that simple – or predictable. It also depends on the allergen. 60-80% of children outgrow milk allergies, but only 5% will outgrow a shellfish allergy. And an estimated 10% of adults have some form of food hypersensitivity.

While we’re here, allergies aren’t always with you for life. They can develop in your adult years, seemingly out of nowhere. Something you were fine eating before could suddenly cause a reaction. Doctors aren’t sure why it happens.

Myth 3: Food allergies and intolerances are the same

On the topic of food, food allergies and intolerances are sometimes seen as the same thing. But they aren’t, and it’s important to separate the two.

Allergies are an immune response. This means your body sees the food as a danger to you, so over-react to fight the trigger. This is what causes your allergic reaction.

Intolerances, on the other hand, are a digestive response. This is your stomach telling you it does not agree with whatever you’ve eaten. And the symptoms you’re likely to see revolve around the stomach – bloating, feeling sick, and diarrhoea, for example. So lactose intolerance is completely different from a milk allergy, and each would cause a different response.

Myth 4: Peanuts are the most dangerous allergen

This myth probably comes from the fact news stories about food allergies almost always seem to come down to peanuts. It’s no more common or dangerous than any other food allergy, and all of them should be treated seriously.

They aren’t the most common – that goes to milk allergies in babies and young children. As for severity, there have been stories involving sesame seeds, eggs, gluten, and shellfish.

Hopefully we’ve cleared up some of the peskier allergy myths and given you a greater understanding of them. The most important takeaway here is that you should always treat allergies with the caution they need.

If you have any questions about your allergies or intolerances, feel free to talk to one of our allergists today. Our expertise can help you feel at ease with your condition. Just call us on 02031 433 449, or register as a new patient.

Three common allergy myths you should know about

14th July 2021

Three common allergy myths you should know about

Dealing with allergies isn’t easy. From mildly inconvenient to life-changing, they’re tough to deal with. But when you’re constantly hearing misconceptions and myths about them, it makes it all so much harder. 

One person is telling you one “fact” and someone else tells you something different. It can feel exhausting and sometimes even be dangerous. It’s important to know what’s true and what’s just a bit of an old wives’ tale. So here are three common myths about allergies that we want to clear up.

“A peanut allergy is the most dangerous one”

With how much you hear about them, some people have come to believe that peanut allergies are the most dangerous type of allergy. But this isn’t true. 

While yes, some people can go into anaphylactic shock from them, many people just have mild reactions to peanuts. There’s a wide spectrum of reactions, and other allergies are no different. Some can have life-threatening reactions to, for example, pet dander. Allergies come in varying degrees, so one type of allergy isn’t necessarily worse than others.

“Local honey will help my hay fever”

It would be a lifesaver if it was true, but there’s no evidence that honey helps improve hay fever symptoms. The idea is that, by eating local honey, you’re eating local pollen. And by eating local pollen, you become less and less sensitive to it. 

But sadly, a 2002 study showed no difference in patients who were treated with local honey, processed honey, and a honey-flavoured placebo. 

“My baby won’t have allergies because it’s not in our family history”

Babies are more likely to develop allergies if both their parents have allergies, that’s true. But babies aren’t immune from allergies just because there’s no family history of them. In fact, 12% of children with allergies have no family history at all. Anyone can develop one and at any time in their life. 

With so many myths about allergies out there, we wouldn’t blame you for being confused about them. But dealing with them shouldn’t have to be difficult. If you’re struggling or looking for advice, get in touch with a professional who knows fact from fiction.

Need help controlling your allergies? Get in touch with London Allergy & Immunology Centre. Our team of professionals is ready to help you manage your allergies and regain control of your life. Call us now on 02031 433 449.